Posts Tagged ‘lewis cellars 2006 cabernet’

Lewis Cellars

Def Leppard English Flag Coolie Cup $9.99 Keep your drink cold while rocking out with this coolie…

Alex Super Baking set – 18 Piece Metal and Plastic Set $12.49 Measure, mix, prep, and bake some imaginary treats| This 18-piece set features a loaf pan, bear pan, heart pan, mixing bowl, rolling pin, whisk, measuring spoons and cup, pastry wheel, 2 star cookie cutters, 2 heart cookie cutter, and an oven mitt. Bon Appetit|…

Set of 2 Heated Stainless Steel Travel Mugs Product Description Keep your favorite beverages hot at all times with this set of 2 stainless heated travel mugs. Plug the detachable cords into any standard 12v car adapter of your car truck or R/V. Durable stainless-steel construction and locking lids ensure a safe trip anywhere. Product Details 12V Heated Travel Mugs – Set of 2 • Capacity: 16 ozs. • Airtight l…

Comforter – Crumble Bear $17.99 This is a soft plush comforter from the Once Upon a Time collection, featuring Crumble Bear. This super soft comforter is perfect to hold on to. Crumble is the feature of this comforter, his head and arms are built into the design. It doubles as a…

Passion of the Christ: Songs (Original Songs Inspired by the Film) $16.44 …

Egyptian Hieroglyphs Made Easy $19.99 Learning and understanding of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic language. The hieroglyphic script was the longest lived and earliest form of the Egyptian language. Its use was limited primarily to religious and monumental inscriptions, whereas a more cursive script called hieratic was preferred for administrative and epistolary purposes. Hieroglyphic Egyptian employs pictures of objects, each with…

GE 37771 R40 Heat Lamp, Red, 250-Watt $3.39 250 watt 120 volt R40 Medium Screw (E26) Base Red Heat Lamp Red Incandescent GE Light Bulb…

Botanical Interest – Squash Winter Tble King Acorn (Certified Organic) $2.99 Isn’t acorn squash the epitome of a fall vegetable? These glossy ribbed beauties are so attractive, you may want to display them in a basket on your table for awhile before cutting them open for dinner! An All America Winner in 1974, ‘Table King’ is still very popular decades later for its fabulous traits. The orange flesh has marvelous, rich flavor, and the fruit grows on very compact 4′ vines. (…

Scarface – Vinyl Wall Decals Murals Stickers Art Graphic – 44H x29W – by üBer Decals $44.99 Better than wallpaper, wall stickers are a perfect way to decorate your room and express yourself. They are a fun, easy and removable decor solution. These stickers are pre-cut and will only take you several minutes to apply on any surface – walls, doors, windows, and more. Each of our designs come with easy instructions to follow. This is an original design from uBer Decals. All other sellers are…

Last Night Gus $1.99 …

---

The Biography of Sensei Derek Eastman 5th Dan

The Biography of Sensei Derek Eastman 5th Dan

By David J Wilson ESTA Secretary – July 2003

've Known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years, I have heard so many stories on both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to promoting the United Kingdom early Aikido, some of the highlights of the history of their hard training and appreciation of true martial art, but there are many amusing anecdotes.

Sensei Eastman is the only student of Aikido since 1950 "Hut "Dojo, which has never granted an interview stating that" Sensei Ellis's story is more interesting than mine.
I asked Sensei Eastman to let the readers decide that, in accepting this interview.

Introduction

Q-DW: Sensei Eastman, first, I want to thank you for accepting this interview.

A-SE: David, my pleasure.

Q-DW: When were you born?

A-DE: I was a premature baby, I was born 20 years too early 31-12-1943.

Q-DW: Where were you born?

A-SE: West Kensington (behind Harrods) London.

Q-DW: Before your introduction to Aikido were you ever involved in other sports.

A-SE: Yes, I was at the County School track team and would often time my school county at various events.

Q-DW: Now, the important question Sensei, what year did you start your journey in aikido?

A-SE: I took a brief departure at the end of 1959. .

Q-DW: Where did you begin your long journey of Aikido?

A-SE: at the now renowned "Hut" or, as it later became the abbot of the school Budo "He called actually Abbe School of Judo "When I got there.

First visit to the "shack" Dojo.

Q-DW: Would Judo have been your first introduction to martial arts on your first visit to the "shack"?

A-SE: I remember very although this initial visit with one of my friends, we walked in the room no one has noticed that all eyes were riveted on the action on the carpet.

There was a guy in the center of the canvas with a blindfold on who I know came later that Sensei Harry Ellis.
The blind folded student was attacked by three other high grades, and believe me, they are not messing around, in addition to three students attacking the blindfolded student there was another guy which was obviously the top man here (I later learned that he was Sensei Williams).
He was struck with the guy a shinai (bamboo sword) shouting at him for his bad posture and not moving around fast enough.

My friend turned to me and said, "Del Jeeezzz!, I do not want of that, you?, I am here.
With that he left.

Maybe I was not thinking straight but I stayed around and asked information on beginner classes club.

Q-DW: After seeing the first glimpse of martial arts, why do not you do the same movement wise your friend?

A-SE: I did not really know what I watched, my first impression was that perhaps it could be ju-jitsu or something like that, hmmm why did I stay? I'm not sure, crazier still the question should be why did I sign up.
I belonged to a gang bike and I was the proud owner of a Royal Enfield 350cc.
I was also too young for a driver's license. In those days, our favorite place is the historic town of Windsor, who was an ideal meeting place for motorcycle gangs and groups. The problem was the place was full of soldiers of the castle guard.

There were always fights with our guys and troopers Queens households that have pile of old guys hard.

In one of these frequent fights I really hammered by one of the guards of the castle, I decided check the local school judo, that's it! I was there and I join him there and then.

From The odyssey Aikido.

Q-DW: Sensei, tell me about your first class and who was your teacher?

A-SE: My first class was in the night Sensei Ellis Monday beginners class was the largest class of the week with between 40-50 students a night on the carpet.

Sensei Ellis class was always packed to overflowing, and the training was always hard, but I enjoyed it and I found seemed to fit in naturally this new martial art of aikido.

Q-DW: Sensei, you said at the beginning of this conversation that "I took a brief departure in 1959 "What do you mean by a brief early?

A-SE: Well, what happened, I had an accident very engraved on my motorcycle and my injuries were serious.
I was on crutches for three months.
I made a slow recovery but good and it is finally Return to Aikido.
My teacher was still Sensei Ellis, I had only been back on the mat for about 4 or 5 lessons when one evening Sensei Ellis asked Sensei Williams to come on the mat and something to watch.
I quickly realized that something was me and to my surprise Sensei Ellis was smashing me all over the carpet, as he threw me I continued to bounce up.
He then said to Sensei Williams
"Sensei, have you ever seen anyone ukemi like that before?"
Sensei Williams then took me into nikyo, a wrist very painful blocking technique, he seemed to hold it down for a very long time before allowing me to.
He looked at Sensei Ellis and said: "It only a beginner give him time. "
Sensei Ellis replied: 'You told me to take an assistant, it's him! "
Sensei Williams Air annoyed and replied sharply: "No! An assistant should be 3rd kyu or more "
Sensei Ellis was persistent and finally got his way, Of course, I did not participate in this discussion. As Sensei Williams walked away Sensei Ellis then asked me to be his assistant.
He said I had a week to make up my mind that I went Sensei Ellis said: "Derek! You do not have a choice by the way, let me know at the end of class.
Sensei Ellis I became deputy.

Q-DW: What were your responsibilities or duties of an assistant?

A-SE: I was the only junior assistant at the time. I have also been used by all the other instructors was hard for me but also gave me more experience.
I did not like being used by David Williams who was Sensei Ken Williams brother. David did not have the same understanding of Budo as his brother, and I always felt he had a sequence very cruel nature which goes beyond strict discipline.
It was also my responsibility to open the dojo on Sunday morning, ready for all the higher grades.
In winter, I'd have to light three paraffin heaters, two of which were in the locker room.
While they were warm I then sweep the frost from the tatami.
I remember one Sunday morning I arrived early winter and a few minutes later Sensei Ellis arrived.
He said "Derek, sweeping the carpet and I'll light the fire for you "
I was happy about it, after a little while Sensei Ellis came out of the locker closing the door behind him and said:
"Keep the door closed Derek it will help to warm the damp GI's" (training suits).
Well well, all students and teachers left their GI's hanging from the ceiling beams. It was a cold so Sensei and I started to practice to try to warm up, then about 30 minutes later John Caldwell and some students have arrived. As they opened the door of the room just changes the smoke dispersed. Everyone was coughing and choking, we thought the place was on fire.
This was not a fire, but Sensei Ellis had not cut the locks of heating. So that caused the fire to Billow all the smoke and soot, the GIs were destroyed.
Sensei Williams then arrived and demanded to know who was responsible, he stared at Sensei Ellis who without a word looked at me and pointed his finger in my direction.
After some harsh words Sensei Williams made me do 200 press ups on the backs of my wrists as punishment. Some were demanding new gi and other wanted to take their own punishment.
It was a while before I am forgiven.

Q-DW: It seems difficult to be an assistant, he must certainly have been some advantages to having?

A-SE: As an assistant, I have not had to pay a fee of carpets and training almost every day.
It was a big advantage that I was an apprentice engineer and did not earn much money.
I also went on judo and karate classes. I also learned with Sensei Tomio Otani and I would be uke for all grades dan the cabin.

I Do Like walking!

Q-DW: Are there any other assistants or were you the one?

A-DE: For about nine months, I was alone, and then Ken Waite became assistant teacher of karate.
Harada Sensei was impressed with Ken and later made him his personal assistant.
Then a very young judoka named Trevor Jones joined the Aikido section, it was the most talented student with immense natural ability, it was quickly promoted junior assistant to Sensei K Williams and Trevor and I share the responsibilities dojo together and we became very good friends.
Trevor had a big problem, He had the bad habit of upsetting Sensei Ellis, and there were many times that Sensei had to sort him and repeatedly when Trevor complained about Sensei Ellis conduct.
Sensei stop the car and throw him out, no matter where we were. It goes too fast, but I never complained that I do not walk.

Lady Baden Powell almost fainted.

Q-DW: I know Sensei Ellis and Sensei Foster has traveled extensively with Sensei Williams, did you travel and visit other dojos?

A-SE: I got to travel, but not on the scale of Sensei Ellis and Williams.
Sensei Williams had Sensei Ellis responsible for shows the achievement itself and I attended the first in West Drayton.
We have done over the years to come, there are two that are most memorable, I know that this story is told in Sensei Ellis article in "Fighting Arts International magazine.
Abbe Sensei told us that This display was so important that Lady Baden Powell and Ambassador of Japan were in the audience, and it is hoped that Lady Baden Powell would promote martial arts in his youth group of the International Foundation.
Sensei Ellis was standing near the backstage Ambassador Japan and Sensei Otani when he thought the man had insulted Sensei Otani Judo.
There was an altercation between the man and Judo Sensei Ellis, I am not sure what happened on the site, but the man has no judo on stage next, as it should.
Suddenly, we have heard the announcement and the introduction of "Sensei Harry Ellis assistant national coach" of the call.
We ran on stage and as I was thrown in the first technique my cigarettes and matches fell from the folds of my gi.
Sensei went mad and I was immediately struck, and around the mat.
His aggression demanded an answer, I also got angry and responded, each attack was for real.
I tried really hard to do with the club, without success. Then when he came with a knife, I really thought I had when the knife went deep into the folds of his gi.
Sensei gasped but still took me to detention, as he released me and I raised my head off the mat Lady Baden Powell was looking straight at me with horror the whole face.
I knew there and then we had blown. Lady Baden-Powell said to Abbe Sensei "It was the most horrible violence that I witnessed, not for my girls" ..

A meeting with Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.

Q-DW: You said there were two occasions?

A-SE: We have a very large display in Crystal Palace a Budo and Judo Championships, we always started with a screen, but with Sensei have a short fuse we always ended up having a battle of some sort, it was no different.
The great Karate teacher Tatsuo Suzuki who had been watching over us now, as we have finished, he approached us and looked very severe, I was glad Sensei was in front of me ..
As Sensei about down the carpet Suzuki Sensei walked up to him and said.
"Thank you, It is the best display of Aikido I've ever seen," he bowed and walked away.

Perceptions of beginning teachers HUT.

Q-DW: You said you were an assistant Sensei Ellis and the only junior at that time and you are also the assistant general dojo so you would have been in close contact with many if not all old masters, what were your impressions of those you come into contact with?.

A-SE: I'll speak from the highest grade down.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

I would like to see the Abbe Sensei time to time on the mat Aikido, it is not on the mat make a point or teach.
He did not often bother to change his gi, he would come on the mat in this old brown suit-mob (after the war, the soldiers received a brown suit when leaving the army, and was called a costume-mob, I'm sure this was one).
Sensei Williams sometimes ask me to take the Abbe Sensei home to Acton in my three wheeled "Isetta bubble car," Williams Sensei me said if I had an accident with Sensei in the car I have to leave the country and never be seen, I thought.
Abbe Sensei sat in Bubble car for the first time. He looked around the small car, then me, he gave me a very puzzled look and asked "How wheels "I replied" 3 Sensei ".
He said, "Necessary, where are the wheels?
I said "2 front and one in back Sensei ". He thought a moment and then said" Ahhhh! Strong triangle.
He did not speak a word during the journey which was normal to Abbe Sensei.
Unlike some of his so-called "Friends" who claim to have long and meaningful philosophical / Psychological conversations with him, his English was poor and did not waste it.

Ken Williams Sensei.

Sensei K Williams head dojo did not use as much as others.
He was in total control of the dojo and all who were in it.
It was not only aikido but 3rd dan judo and a very good at this. It officiate as referee in the American air base in Ruislip, once it has been an arbitrator in international judo championship of the U.S. Air Force.
We receive many American students now come to the hut in our course initiation.

David Williams Sensei.

David was in charge of the Karate section before the arrival of Harada Sensei, I enjoyed my regular practice with Ken Griffiths, and later Ken Waite who was to become the first assistant to Harada Sensei European.
However, David Williams, I think a very cruel streak to his character. Williams and Ellis and others would teach as Abbe Sensei did with a shinai. It has been used a mild form of intimidation to help motivate you with a little thump in the back for your attention. This would be done with a smile and humor and has never objected to this mild heart of the discipline.
Now, with David Williams, he spoke!, And seems to enjoy it.
I will stop there as I do not want to elaborate on this subject. Closed!.

Eric Dollimore Sensei.

Eric was only 5 feet 5 inches tall and Exhibitor's most dynamic aikido dojo Hut.
What I remember most of Eric was one Sunday morning when I was practicing at the dojo with some background kyu ranks high.
There was little action taking place at the upper end of the mat with the dan grade, Eric has a technique very difficult to Ellis slamming him deep into the carpet. He later apologized, saying: "Sorry, I gotta go, I must be my girlfriends for lunch at 12-00 hours.
Ellis got up from the mat and I could see he was not happy, Eric left the carpet.
Ellis shouted "Eric you want to fight for real?"
Eric said "Sorry Harry, I did not really have time."
Ellis Dan returned to the ranks of other, probably satisfy excuse Eric. Then I saw Eric back to the locker room under his hakama and cried
OK Harry! But we've got to be "fast.
They both immediately squared to each other in posture, after a few seconds Ellis made what looked like a devastating blow to the head of Eric, Eric Ellis turned under with the technique of Koshi Waza best I've ever seen the launch Ellis into and through the wall plaster board office.
Sensei Williams was sitting in the office where Ellis has joined him as he went straight into the wall.
As Ellis was then covered with drywall dust, Eric shouted "See you soon, Ive got to go, I'm late for dinner".
I always said it was like something from the movies.

Haydn Foster Sensei.

It was a bit older than the rest of us and was regarded with respect and affection. His favorite technique was swimming Irimi register it hard, he has always know that laugh at his throat after leaving you breathless.

Henry (Harry) Ellis Sensei.

Henry Ellis was my teacher and he is constantly referred in this interview.

There is a story that I've never seen it in print that I will talk about.
In the sixties we heard a Another group that did Aikido in north London with a judo teacher called well-known Japanese Senta Yamada. He taught a style that we had never heard about aikido called "Tomiki" so we decided to go check them.
All dan grades gathered at the cabin evening and we went to this dojo Tomiki. We do not know what to expect. When we arrived we respectfully entered their dojo. Sensei Williams spoke to the instructor in charge and asked if we could practice. The instructor said "NO!, I'm sorry, but you wear hakama and we do not allow them "
Sensei Williams replied: "Do not worry we will practice without our hakama is"
The instructor thought for a moment and replied: "I still can not help you practice like you're a different organization for us "
Then Sensei Ellis forward and said: "Organisations are names on paper, Aikido is Aikido"
The instructor was not heard and politely asked us to leave.
We were not happy about it, so we then went into a nearby pub after about an hour which must come in the pub, you might have guessed Dave, all the students and instructor.
We got chatting for students and they were really nice guys. A great guy who was a first kyu made the mistake of asking Sensei Ellis what our nikyo like.
He said it was his favorite technique, when he tried it on Sensei Ellis, nothing happened. He made another mistake, he asked Sensei to show him our style, Sensei almost put it in the pub cellar.
The brown belt guy could not believe it and asked his teacher who was being speak with Sensei Williams. He told her what had taken place and insisted that his teacher to try this technique on Sensei Ellis.
Sensei Ellis offered his arm and the instructor agreed to try. The instructor could not do anything, then said
"I can not move because you make the arms of stone, if I'm also the arm of Stone I'll break your arm like a twig "
Sensei Ellis insists he do his stone arm, so the guy and tried to be honest it was not different from the first attempt.
So! as he was making the arm of stone, Sensei Ellis picked up a full pint of beer and drank at once while the guy was trying to break his arm!
The guy looked gutted.

Lennie Ballard Sensei Dowden and Sensei Peter.

They seemed inseparable and were very great friends, they would most knives and club displays. I deputize for the ladies classrooms. They left the hut shortly after Eric Dollimore.

Sensei John Caldwell.

John was an electrician who has worked with Sensei Williams.
It was not only a first dan in aikido, but also a sparring partner and semi professional boxer. He sparred with some notable boxers as Champs Former world Downs Terry and Terry Spinks who were both world champions in their own weight.
John took me to the "Thomas Becket, a room Fitness training for boxers famous above a pub in London. It was a treat for a boy like me that the world many famous UK and USA boxers had trained there.
I also remember that once when John was training to running, he was attacked by a large dog who chased after him Alsatian. John turned as the dog himself thrown at him. He began to tough dog, he kicked right in the throat and died instantly.
A little different experience with Abbe Sensei an Alsatian, but not less inevitable.

Sensei Hamish McFarlane.

Was older and senior to me, he was also a good judoka. It was a first kyu (belt brown) in Aikido when I started yet we ended up taking our dan grade test together some four years later.
When I received my first dan, Sensei Ellis that was a tradition handed me my first black belt and hakama that was a very good quality.
We never knew where Hamish got his hakama to. Ellis spread the rumor that the hakama is an ex war dept army blanket that was a thick, traditional wrinkle-free. This joke has never left Hamish, and I even laughed with Sensei Foster about it recently (July 2003).
There had a thing about Hamish that very little known. When he first asked if he could join the class Aikido Sensei Williams said he told him that the doctor said he would be in the 12 months confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of a severe disease with his spine. He began Aikido, and practiced until his death in his 60. He also visited Japan and trained in Aiki-Kai. I recently heard the sad news that Hamish died some time ago.

Dan Early ratings.

Q-DW: How would you compare the system of classification of first days at the cabin with you've seen in years later?.

A-SE: The classification procedures are not as technically ritualised they are today.
When, at the cabin, the ranking would be very physical with the attack at 100% constant, we never obtained by classification without a few pieces.
I think most old dan grades agree that 3rd kyu (green belt) has always been the most difficult question by both Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei note transition between beginner and high grade and your first step as an assistant professor.
It was also the first ranking where we had to attack a real knife. When it was my first time Sensei Williams asked: "Are you ready to accept real knife" I said "yes", but I really wanted to say NO.
Eric Dollimore stood before me holding a large knife in his left hand, I just froze.
Sensei Williams said: "Derek you forgot Eric is left" then he told Eric to attack with his right and then left.
When I took my first dan, what stands out most in my mind is how I tired when it was my turn. I was uke for all other grades and to be honest I do not know how I got through it all. I just wanted to do more with everyone.
I took Hamish with a positive swimming Tenchi and really hammered him into the mat. Nakazono Sensei said he was very pleased with the final technical and handed me first dan.

————————-

Q-DW: With all the years of training and instruction going up through the kyu grades what was the final path to your first dan?

A-SE: I have always been happy that not only I received personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all the dan grades mentioned above.
I also think that being an assistant instructor for beginners class from 7th to 4th kyu, I was able to form a good relationship with a little practice select group of all students who later became the second generation of grades HUT "dan".
The group was composed of people Like Ron James at 6ft 5ins tall and about 250 pounds seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He has never taken this into account and has never given any leeway at all so it was very hard but good to train with this giant of a man.
It would not "go" for someone if it has always been a challenge for me.
Ron was a good friend and brother to another dan grade Andy Allen, who was assistant to Sensei Foster.
Sensei Ellis and I often bring young girls at the dojo visitors area. Andy, who was the oldest student all of us was a very dry and austere kind of man.
I would say "Andy, it's nice, it is not" and also long as I knew I always received the same answer dark;
"Huh! They are all nice until you marry them!". Andy was one of my regular training partners.

Trevor Jones, who was junior assistant to Sensei Williams was probably the I trained with the most and we became inseparable, not only as Aikido, but also as friends and we helped each other to prepare for dan grade.
I guess that's how I finally got to this point in my preparation for dan grade.

I received my first dan grade just before I became 21 years of age. At the same time I had finished my apprenticeship as an engineer.
He then that Sensei Ellis asked Sensei Williams and me to travel and spread the gospel "of Aikido. We were the" first disciples, as he said.
Although aikido had started to spread a little, there were areas that had no knowledge of this new martial art.

My beloved "Isetta bubble car" that I had pushed to its limits it had finally burst!
He had to be dumped. Fortunately at the same time, Sensei Ellis had just bought a car two years Mini which was then the "business".
Then look at the car and the prospects of aikido and travel adventures and some love, I easily agreed to follow.

Rat Attack.

Q-DW: I read and enjoyed your stories Sensei travels from its point of view there is nothing you want to add as you were also part of this experience.

A-SE: At this point, Henry and I had become good friends outside of the dojo, but on the mat, I would still give deference and thus it has always been, even today.

The first dojo we visited was in Nottinghamshire and directed George Cotterell, where we were occupied for a short period.
Mr. Cotterell bred dogs Chihuahua that there must be about 50 or Henry called the 60 rats invaded.
These dogs have all been in the back yard paved. The only toilet was located at the rear of the court, next to the funeral home.
At night, the door would be locked so that the only way to go to the toilet was full by the dog yard.
One night we had just returned from a good night to the local pub and Henry went straight to bed when I stayed for a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs Cotterell.
After about an hour, Henry emerged from the bedroom wearing only his jeans no socks or shoes, and ran into the yard to the toilet (Which is a strong beer, they drink the North).
He did it before the dogs can bite his ankles. We've heard lots of noise and looked out the window to see all these dogs barking outside the bathroom door and enthusiasm have made their "business".
Henry tried to open the door, and seeing all the dogs and the mess he then realized he had no shoes.
Mrs Cotterell and me were in total hysteria what was happening. Henry was screaming for me to wear his shoes, but with the north ale inside of me I felt brave and ignored it and loved pleasure.
See him running through this minefield was like a scene from a Jerry Lewis movie. As he ran he shouted threats of crude physical violence on me.
Shortly after we had problems with the boss on the photos we took with the coffins from the "Fight against the International Arts magazine. We have lost our jobs as assistants funeral and we were on the road again for new adventures.
Visit dojos and martial arts clubs, schools and wherever we have been allowed to just show a little of our Aikido in the hope that we ask for more.
In those days in the North there was not much work to be done at any time, so we take any job that was offered to us and I mean any job.
These include construction worker and laborer, working as laborers on Britains first M1. Undertakers, Road sweepers, cesspit cleaning, the steel workers, deck officers, photographers waterfront painters. The worst job of all was the "Railway", which was slave labor and we hated him, which lasted only a few days.
So we spent the day. That evening, we would seriously spend that time promoting Aikido, including Saturday and Sunday, in what we consider to have been successful attempts to extend and strengthen the growing "Schools Abbot of Budo".

Market HUT!

A-SE: David, I want to regress to that point if that's ok with you is that I want to mention an unforgettable experience character, which had a very bad start with Sensei Ellis and later became a close friend of both of us – a man named George Stavro.
On the night George made his first appearance at the hut, he arrived about 30 min before Sensei Ellis.
I was on the carpet busy taking preparation year. George is Greek and a trader, came into the dojo with two large suitcases and within minutes he had exposed in clothing lobby.
I did not take too much notice as I thought it must have previously arranged to do so with an instructor seniors.
It so happened that Harry when George was getting into his sales pitch with two students who were waiting for permission to go on the carpet. This is the only time I heard Harry swear in the dojo.
Harassing yelled "What the # # # # do you think is happening here! What do you think is market day, Bangladesh?
He then threw the bags outside the door of the dojo in the rain, with George scrambling around to get his goods and put all back in his car.
George then returned to the dojo with a big smile on his face as if nothing had happened and asked him what was happening in this room, I explained that we were doing aikido classes.
He returned the following week, with about 8 of his friends who have all joined.
George was very well-built man and also an accomplished street fighter and he became the one for me to train with.

I not make a lot of money being an apprentice engineer, George was older than me and soon took me under his wing and trained me in quickly harmful activities which included a very profitable business of delivering Hooch black market for all Indian restaurants in West London.
Harass was angry about my commitment until he was also involved, and he also won all markets Decoration for restaurants.
We worked on the door of some of the restaurants and so far we have always had as many curries as we could eat and we have never had to pay.

George became a favorite of Kazuo Chiba Sensei and is now a third dan, George has a brown belt when he left to join the HUT dojo Sensei Ellis at Slough in 1968, and can be seen in some photos with Jack Poole, who was a beginner at that time. George remembers him very well and was the one who makes him sign when he joined.

We could write a book about the escapades we had together.
George was at my wedding and do the dance Zorba with full glass of water on the head, my family still talk about today.

Entering and exiting hut.

Q: DW.

Sensei, You told me it was at the time you got married and moved away from the hut and the locality. Could you clarify this point.

A: SE. Yes, after I got married, I moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire.
My work has required much traveling as I worked on drilling platforms, drilling for gas in the English Channel just off Humber.
I also take the opportunity to visit the clubs and Aikido training possible.
Later I found work closer to home in 1969, I renewed my contact and friendship with Trevor Jones, who had also married and lives Camberley Surrey only 10 miles from my house.
He said he had recently opened a new dojo in the Hotel Hawley. He now works as administrator of aircraft and asked me to take care of his dojo and teach when he was on long-haul flights, I accepted.
I found Aikido Trevor had definitely moved up a gear, even if the training and the technique was still quite traditional, it has by far the most powerful aiki movement of any person I ever met, including the Japanese.

The dojo then moved for Brookwood Hall Hawley, with two good students and Colin Cashmore Mike Relph as assistants, I also remember training, Wasil Kolenkisov as a beginner, He then joined Ken Sensei Williams as an assistant. In early 1969, I opened "The Basingstoke Aikido Club" I would like some help Trevor, who has now moved to a purpose built dojo at the Budokan "Frimley". Unfortunately, Trevor Later had some health problems and the dojo was then headed by my old friend Andy Allen from the hut with the help of John Harding, who still practices today and we are always in contact with. With Trevor I re-visited many dojos Sensei K Williams who had left the hut and was now in the valley Rhonnda Wales. I also visited the hut which is now run by Sensei Haydn Foster who has always been very well received.

Aikido visits to Europe.

Q: DW. Sensei, could you tell me about your visits to Europe at this time?

A: SE. Of course, these are good days. Trevor and I visit Noro Sensei Aiki-Kai in Paris. Noro Sensei was really happy to see us, and my first visit he surprised me by awarding me 2nd dan which was unusual I was not a regular student, he never charged for the yard or lessons.
Noro Sensei reminded me of the time I was at the cabin on one of his visits, where he recommended to Sensei Williams that I should only do backward ukemi (break falling) until his next visit in two weeks, Sensei Williams said he would punish me with a shinai if he caught me forward ukemi, but Noro has not visited two weeks, but four months later, I was at that time, adapted to some special breakfalls all angles except the front.
Noro Sensei Williams asked in astonishment: "Why Mr. Eastman breakfalling this odd manner.
When he was informed after his statement, he just laughed. He then said that it was very similar to an experience he had with Osensei and then said the experience I would not hurt anyway.

Q: DW. Were you still in contact with Sensei Ellis at this time

A: SE. Yes, I always kept regular contact with Harry Ellis, visit his dojo Bracknell whenever possible and his Slough dojo, we would also meet socially with our families.
At this time the business was expanding and Harry that he could not maintain all its dojos. He gave his dojos London Chiba Sensei and his dojo to George Stavro Slough who later was to give the carpet a student who had helped a man named Jack Poole.
My own work was now taking me back to Europe. When I visit Belgium Sensei Peter NASSEN dojo. I often visit Leiage if there were 6 different Aikido clubs, and in the true spirit and harmony of Aikido they seemed to hate and do not communicate.
I like a dojo that has been well managed by Sensei C Van Parys, who had helped the most dynamic swordsman ever to teach Aikido, Murashagi Sensei, who was unfortunately later died in a car accident.
This dojo was very traditional with strong links to Tadashi Abe Sensei who was still visiting the area.

Q: DW. Sensei, you mentioned the name of Aikido as the old days at the cabin, you know those who are still involved in aikido? And you're always in touch with one of these people?

A: SE. As of that date 2003, there are only a few who are still involved and teaching Aikido and I am sometimes in contact with some of them.
Sensei Ken Williams, founder of judo dojo HUT and head instructor, who was the first student to study Aikido in the United Kingdom, and is now head of the Federation of Ki Aikido of Great Britain.
Sensei Haydn Foster who is still at the hut and head of the Institute of Aikido.
Sensei Henry Ellis, who is head of the traditional schools of Ellis Aikido.
Sensei Ralph Reynolds, who was a regular visitor to the hut in the 50/60, which is now the head of the scholarship of Aikido.
Sensei George Stavro, which is associated with several dojos and still linked to Chiba Sensei.
The Sensei White who is the head of the Traditional Ryu Aikido. Time takes its toll on those we have known and respected.

The Board of Aikido The British Commission and the martial arts.

Q: DW. Sensei, when are you involved with the British Aikido Board.

A: SE. I spoke with Jim Elkin of the large Tomiki group, who suggested that I join the Martial Arts Commission within a group of members of traditional Aikido.
I accepted, but contact with the head of this group and submitting our references including copies of my Dan grade certificates signed by O-Sensei himself; My first impression was that I'd received a warm welcome and I was informed they would pay my dojo a visit, I happily agreed, and said it would be a pleasure to visit and train with me, being told they would not come on the tatami (mat), they said they would assess my level while seated near the mat.
I refused the offer, I told him that I could meet him once on a carpet, but not as fellow practitioners.

I thank Mr. Elkin for his help and support, and said I would not joined the traditional group. I loved Jim Elkin and I always found him and his partner Brian Eustace group Tomiki very useful in our membership the Martial Arts Commission (MAC).
It also helped us to realize the full standard technical supervision of the MAC.

Relay more later, this story of Minoru Sensei Kenetsuka when I visited him at the Cardiff Aiki-Kai. He requested copies of my certificates with signature O'Sensei them. I learned later that he had used what I had said and certificates to leave the British Aikido Board, at this time within the MAC, saying they did not recognize O-Sensei as the founder of Aikido.
Sensei Ken Williams also left the BAB / MAC for similar reasons.

A few years later, I was approached by a member of the BAB MAC, a Mr Ted Stratton, who I remember with emotion that the author of "power of the elbow in Aikido I always use.
Stratton Sensei sadly passed away and is the most respected Aikido.
I then corresponded with Paula Mitchell of the MAC and using the criteria at the time joined the MAC / BAB.
One criterion was that we should have our own organization and its title. I recall that many years earlier Sensei Williams had honored his teacher by calling the HUT dojo "The Abbe School of Judo.
I decided to tackle Sensei Ellis and asked for its permission to use his name for our organization, I am pleased to say that he agreed. We then called our organization "Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.
Sensei Ellis opened the dojo in Bracknell and we were back there!

http://www.EllisAikido.org

href = "http://www.british-aikido.com> http://www.british-aikido.com"

About the Author

Derek Eastman co-author of Positive Aikido.

E Books Available To Buy

Lewis Cellars Offering

Technorati Tags: great, lewis cellars, lewis cellars 2006 cabernet, lewis cellars alec's blend, lewis cellars chardonnay, lewis cellars cuvee l, napa, Wine, wineries, winery