Photos: (until link is set up)

Grading success June 2007.

29/01/2009. Some of the International students (Canada, USA, Greece, Ireland, UK) from the University Aikido Club. Who are successfully developing their art, having recently completed the first stage of the grading syllabus.

May 2009. End of semester meal and grading certificate presentation.

Sunderland International Festival of Martial Arts.

(Raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Zanshin Aikido Club (Sunderland University).

Random Aikido Pics.

Random Pics of Martfest 10.

Video:

Aikido out-takes from The Sunderland International Festival of Martial Arts 1. (May 2001). Raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hCG3UADmOxU

MARFEST 1. May 2001. Raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Sunderland Uni (Zanshin) Aikido demo.

MARFEST 2. May 2002. Raising funds for Cancer Reseach UK. Aikido demo.

MARFEST 3. May 2003. Raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Aikido demo.

MARFEST 5. May 2005. Raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Aikido demo.

MARFEST 6. May 2006. Raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Aikido demo.

Click here for Demonstrations by Endo Seichiro Shihan.

Click Here for Demonstration by Shihan Christian Tissier

Articles:

The University Aikido Club has from the outset been involved in the Sunderland International Festival of Martial Arts (Presently in its 10^th year). The event was founded and is organized by Peter Seth the University Aikido club coach. The events primary aim is to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK, but also to bring together all types of martial arts in a positive and friendly environment. So friendships can be formed, ideas exchanged and mutual respect can be engendered.

Peter hopes this event can be repeated (initially) all around Britain and eventually further afield. Where martial artists become involved in raising funds for charities and coming together as an International Martial Arts family. To give a flavour of the event I have posted the press release for the most recent event. (See below – ‘Challenge’ at the end).

Last years event raised over £2100 for Cancer Research UK.

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The following event took place and despite a few changes was a very successful event raising over £1750 + for Cancer Research UK. My thanks to everyone who was involved in the event in any way. Hopefully some pics and video asap.

The Great Northern International Festival of Martial Arts 10.

SUPPORTING CANCER RESEARCH UK.

To be held on

Saturday 8^th May 2010

10:00am – 4:30pm

at

Seaburn Leisure Centre

Sunderland.

Background:

After many years participating in demonstrations at the odd Fete to raise money for local charities. I often thought, that a more positive and organised approach for martial artists to become involved with raising funds for charities and also promoting the many positive benefits of the ‘Martial Arts’ was needed. So in 2001, I contacted friends from various Martial Arts groups in my area (some national, international and world champions included) and organised the first ‘Sunderland International Festival of Martial Arts’. We demonstrated our arts, - Aikido, Aikijitsu, Judo, Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Jojutsu, Kenjutsu, before an audience of over 300, raising nearly £1000 for Cancer Research. (A friend of mine Mrs Edna Ford, is local area Hon Secretary). (In the past few years thanks to everyone involved, the event has raised thousands of pounds for Cancer research UK).

From this start I have organised an annual festival at which many artists/groups from all over the UK and even from China, have demonstrated their varied arts, including: Capoeira, Gung Fu, Kung fu, Shorinji Kempo Jui Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Escrima, Fencing and Wrestling.

I am presently organising the Tenth Sunderland International Festival of Martial Arts, (Name Changed to The Great Northern International Festival of Martial Arts) to be held at Seaburn Leisure Centre, Sunderland, on Saturday 8^th May 2010.

Its aims are:

· Most importantly. To raise much needed funds for Cancer Research UK as well as public awareness of the role the North East plays in international research into this disease which has now taken over from heart disease as the number one killer in this country.

Newcastle University Research Centre is one of the foremost Cancer Research Centres in the world. They are in the forefront of groundbreaking research and treatment into many forms of cancer, notably research to devise new and more effective cancer treatments for both children and adults. Also research into inherited forms of cancer and clinical trials at hospitals in Newcastle and the North East. Also the very hard work that dedicated volunteers do all around the country and especially locally, organizing collections, events and more, to collect funds and foster awareness for Cancer Research UK.

• To bring together various Martial Arts groups from the local area, nationally and internationally, to in a very positive way, demonstrate their arts and foster friendship and an awareness that they are part of a much larger Martial Arts ‘family’.

• Increase public awareness as to the variety and very high standards of Martial Arts practiced both locally (we have many local Martial Artists who have attained national, international and world champion status), and also in the wider arena.

· Provide a forum for young Martial Artists to display their skills and develop pride and confidence both in themselves and their respective arts. Also encourage people to become involved in the martial arts with its many positive benefits.

· Have an entertaining, educational, spectacular and fun day out for everyone.

The past nine events have featured many senior grades/experts in their arts including national, international and world champions in a variety of arts, as well as some celebrities, Danny Ho from Sky TV’s Fight school has taken part. Also for two years we had the privilege of featuring Master MA BOA GUO who is an authentic Chen style Kung Fu master from China.

The event also allows the younger members of the various arts to take part and demonstrate their skills and discipline in front of an audience. This helps them to develop confidence in themselves and a sense of pride and commitment in their chosen art and group. All participants willingly give their time and expertise to demonstrate their individual arts with tremendous skill, providing an excellent performance, which is not only impressive but also very entertaining.

As mentioned all money raised goes to the Sunderland branch of Cancer Research UK, whom I believe last year raised around £50,000 through all their fundraising activities. This money will be used to help fund the research currently being done at the Newcastle Research Centre.

In short, everyone wins and much-needed funds and awareness are generated for Cancer Research UK.

It would be nice if this locally generated (North East) event were publicised by the media, as there are many newsworthy angles to this event, which I am sure you will recognise.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the event in any way, (even donations for the raffle), please contact:

Mrs Edna Ford (Sunderland Branch Secretary, Cancer Research UK).

Tel: 0191 5362669.

Or Email me

Thanks

Peter Seth

(Founder/Organiser).

Further Information/Tickets available from me on 0191 5226294. Email: psethp@yahoo.co.uk

£4-50p Adults. £3 Under 14’s & Senior Citizens. Families (2 + 2) £12.

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Proposed participants. (May be subject to change).

Many Sensei also have Dan grades in other Martial Arts.

It is hoped that a member of the research team from Cancer Research UK will open the event with a short introduction into the Research being done at Newcastle Research Centre.

Aikido: Sensei: Peter Seth 4th Dan, (Event Founder/Organiser)

Members of Sunderland University (Zanshin) Aikido Club.

Members of The Kogusoku Aikido Association.

www.zanshinaikido.co.uk www.kogusokuaikido.org.uk

Judo: Sensei: Cloe Cowan, 5^th Dan. Olympian. www.britishjudo.org.uk

Chloé works as a Technical Officer for the British Judo Association and works mainly in the North East of England. Within this role she supports and up skills coaches. Chloé helps to facilitate national initiatives for the British Judo Association and is a support coach to National Squad programmes. She was a member of the British Judo team for 14 years and is a current 5^th Dan. At International level Chloé won Junior European and World medals, along with five Senior European medals. Chloé competed for Team GB at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Chloés priorities for the near future are to help to develop new coaches, in the support to increase the number of clubs and participants in judo in the Northern Area.

JuJitsu: Members of Bushido Jujitsu Academy (NE). Sunderland

Sensei: Christine Poole 5^th Dan.

Contact: 07884424363

Karate: Members of Kainan Karate Kai (Shotokan)

Sensei: Garry Quinn 6^th Dan. Contact: 07891365526

Tae Kwon Do:

Members of Chungdokwan Taekwondo Organisation.

  Mike Campos 3rd Dan. www.djchungdokwan.com

Awasa/Saburi/Kumitachi Waza: Various Instructors.

Kobudo: Sensei: Brian Ford. 7^th Dan.

Capoeira: Peter Grufferty. Caranguejosenzala.

Contact: 01915861955.

Taiji: Members of the Northern School of TaijiQuan

Joe Harte - Senior Instructor.

www.communigate.co.uk/ne/taijiquan

Contact: E mail: joetaiji@gmail.com

Ph: 01740 629 452

Japanese Sword: Sensei: Bill Patterson. 3rd dan Battojutsu Ryu (senior instructor). 2nd dan in Ninjutsu. 1st dan Nito Ken

Battojutsu Club in Fewster Square, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Instructor for Anglo Japanese Iai Battojutsu Association North East.

Contact: billy.patterson@sky.com

Directional Fighting Method:

Sensei: Phil Doherty. 4^th Dan.

Contact: Email: phil.doherty@hotmail.co.uk

Lion Dance/Kung Fu/Weapons:

Sifu: Paul Tennett and members of

The Moi Fa Martial Arts Academy.

www.northeastmoifa.0catch.com

Lau Kung Fu/Kickboxing.

Steve Youngman 3rd degree Black Sash.

Kong Sai Martial Arts. www.kongsaimartialarts.co.uk

Karate. (Wado Ryu).

Sensei Peter Stewart. 4^th Dan.

European (Historical) Fighting Systems:

The Hotspur School of Defence is an historical European martial arts school based in Northumberland. It’s named after the legendary Northumbrian knight, Sir Henry "Hotspur" Percy, whose chivalric deeds and feats of arms have been celebrated for over 600, years since his death in 1403, most notably by William Shakespeare.

The HSD pursues the historically accurate study of Europe's traditional fighting arts, most commonly the use of sword between the years 1300 and 1700.

Its ethos is to research, practice and uphold the teachings and legacy of the original historical masters of defence, according to the principles they recorded for all time. As systems of defence designed explicitly for dealing with life-and-death situations, this is not re-enactment, sport-fencing, live-role-playing or theatrical stage-fighting. The HSD makes extensive use of fighting manuals of the period, dating back as early as the 1300's, which codify fully-functional, effective systems of defence for use by warriors of the day.

This involves much research, translation and transcription of medieval texts and illustrated sources, and the breaking down and reconstruction of techniques depicted and described therein.

Only then can the Art - which includes not only swordplay but wrestling and grappling, dagger-fighting and the use of a variety of pole-arms, both in and out of armour - can be pressure-tested in the open arena.

The Marshal of the School, Bob Brooks, is a scholar of British and European History who currently works as a daily newspaper journalist. He began his training in the field of European Martial Arts in 1994, following some success in the sport of Olympic Fencing. Since then he has travelled extensively, to the USA, Canada, Italy and widely across the UK, to help teach and develop the re-emerging Art as a legitimate martial study.

As well as period sword arts, he studies traditional British stick-fighting arts and the French and Italian walking stick system of defence. You can contact the Hotspur School of Defence at www.hotspurschool@aol.com, or visit the website at www.historicalfencing,org/Hotspur.

Also a unique opportunity to train with the masters and take part in ‘come and try it’ seminars for selected arts, which will be running throughout the day.

A CHALLENGE!

I would like this festival of martial arts to become a catalyst for future events of this kind.

But why not make it a much larger effort on the lines of ‘Children In Need’ and similar focused events. Where, on a nominated day every martial arts club/group/organization in the UK, participates in a sponsored event to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

I am sure your local Cancer Research UK coordinators/committees would be willing to advise and even possibly assist in any fund raising event you may wish to organize. The many martial arts publications/magazines with their many contacts and sponsors could possibly get involved in some way.

If a properly coordinated, media/TV publicized event was prepared I am sure a tremendous amount of money could be raised to help in the battle against Cancer

In my experience, martial artists have a natural generosity of spirit and are by nature positive people who are usually only too willing to get involved in life. What better way than to ‘get involved’, raising money to help in the battle for life against what is now the biggest killer in this country.

Next step ‘THE WORLD’. Every martial arts group in the world involved, cooperating, to remove the curse of cancer.

Now that would be a thing!

If anyone could do it Martial Artists could!

(Though ridiculously optimistic, I am serious about this paragraph).

If you are up for this challenge, get weaving, contact your local Cancer Research UK people and get organizing.

Peter.

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Nice to see it sometimes works! (Even if it’s just being aware).

(Email from a past student).

Hi Peter, sorry been a while since said hello.
Chris probably said I was in Bournemouth now, hope everything's going well up there.

A little while before Christmas had a couple of thugs tried to beat me up.
First time, he pretended he wanted a word then went psycho on me, he grabbed for my throat, and I just stepped back quick and he had that eye-popping-out-socket look we get in aikido, like saying "what just happened?" Stayed calm, kept my hands up, and managed to block a swipe he took at me (and kept glasses on my face with the block!) Eventually he gave up and went back into this little clothes shop he manages.
I thought, maybe this'll blow over -
I had just located an aikido group in Bournemouth, and thought it would probably be a good idea to get along, and there was a class the very next day. Would you believe it, but he was teaching the very same escape from the throat-grab that I'd done the day before.
Anyway, the class wasn't much good - he didn't believe in the energy aspect of aikido and didn't do break-falls because "if someone can break fall the technique is not very good". When I asked but what if someone did something like a hip-throw, he just looked confused.

Decided after a few weeks to go past this shop again, and some guy comes running after me, saying "Hey, friend" but I knew something was up again.
So as he was running I turned to face square on, and then he started moving really slowly - like pretend slow motion. So I turned again and moved away quick, and he started to run again (obviously to hit me from behind). Did the same thing again, turning square-on and again he did this pretend-slow-motion thing again. The road was really busy, so somehow he got me cornered against a full glass window on 2 sides (like an L-shape). He kept speaking to try and distract me, he wanted to punch me when I wasn't aware, I just kept moving my arms in the right place, this went on for quite a while without him able to throw a punch. The guy who attacked me the first time was a few steps away as well behind him to the right. I could really feel the energy of how hard his punch would have been if it hit me at one point. Was surprised I didn't have an adrenaline dump, so that was good, but mentally I realised I could get killed here through the window pane. Was concerned about my glasses, he must have picked up on that, he says "Now you can't see," took a grab at my glasses and took a couple of steps back, that gave me my chance to get off of the window and decided to just make a run for it.
What was amazing though is that not one punch was thrown, even though they obviously intended to really smash me down.
So a long overdue thank you definitely in order, your aikido saved the day :-)
I did find another aikido group down here that I've been going to, they were incredulous that the other teacher doesn't teach rolls and falls! Much better, they do get the energy component. Hope everything is calmer in the North-East!
Hopefully see you soon,
Steve

Interview with Isoyama Hiroshi Shihan (8^th Dan) Aikido Journal