The Area Director for Sport and Leisure welcomed participants to the Aikido Research Federations Friendship Course and Seminar on June 17th 2007 at the Leisure Centre Uttoxeter, Staffs.
In his address he expressed pleasure at the number of participants, his support for the aims and objectives of the Aikido Research Federation, and his hope that the Centre could be considered a pleasant and viable venue for future courses.
He was thanked by the Chairman of the Aikido Research Federation who got proceedings underway without further ado.
With such a number of participants and given the diversity of styles of Aikido in evidence, it was a tribute to both the teachers and students that the first and elemental rule of safety was strictly adhered to.
Training was necessarily and happily pitched at an introductory level, with highly skilled presentations of the various specialisms, and an open-minded and appreciative attitude towards the marvels of the art as shown in all its diversity. The day was a worthy tribute to the vision that has sustained the Aikido Research Federation for the past thirty years.
At the end of a fulfilling day the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Uttoxeter, who had both watched proceedings with interest for over an hour, were kind enough to address the group with a message of congratulation and an invitation for the future.
A detailed article and photograph subsequently appeared in the local press, which included a verbatim appreciation, somewhat apocopated no doubt, from a member of the Working Party.
The Course Next Year
The Course Organisation Working Party is to be congratulated on the considerable amount of foresight, travelling and physical graft that they were willing to put into the successful running of the course. Not least was the heroic and successful attempt to transport the mats through the severe flooding which assailed the country over that weekend.
Particularly pleasing is the fact that the Chairman has successfully prevailed upon the members to repeat the exercise next year.
Some feedback has already been received and has been studied carefully. If there are any more comments to be made these should be sent as soon as possible to the Federation Secretary.
In the mean time, the situation is that the course next year will take place at the same venue and at approximately the same time. It is possible that the course be extended to a full weekend, with the option of one-day attendance. This is the sort of consideration that really needs reaction from the members before a firm decision can be made.
The Commemorative Photographs Some sixty photographs were taken and due to lack of web-space, these will be sent to participating Sensei on disc for distribution.
A photograph of the most evident hangover of the day will be sent to Paul Love of Aberdeen, who incidentally was promoted to Shodan after nine years of dedicated training at the Federations club in the far north of the realm.
Insurance issues There has been some welcome news from the British Aikido Board on the insurance front. Person-to-person insurance now covers trainees up to the age of eighty. Trainees of, or approaching, this venerable age, must stand as an inspiration and a corrective to all who seek to understand and practice the Great Doctrine of O-sensei Morihei Uyeshiba, Aikido, the Way of the Harmony of the Spirit. The only sure way of understanding is to continue practicing, whatever the obstacles.
I hope to see you next year. |
