Course overview
The inaugural Course of the Northern Aikido Association took place in the Thornaby Pavilion on the 27 November
2004. Why do I consider it "special?" Well, it is probably a little known fact that the NAA has only been
up and running for a little more than a year, but in that time it has been steadily growing. Finally, we had
enough practising members to arrange a one-day event and grading seminar in one go.
So really our thanks go to Kancho Paul Milburn 4th Dan for his leadership and encouraging support over the
time we have been going. Thanks also, to his foresight in arranging for Sensei Peter Seth 3rd Dan to come along as his
guest instructor and to assist with grading of candidates.
Sensei Seth made his classes very entertaining and they were very thought provoking. I must admit
that I came away with some items which helped me clarify my own grasp of Aikido. A bit like realising that the jigsaw
you started had a few bits missing after completing three quarters of it!
What we lacked in attendance on the day was more than made up by the overall enthusiasm of the practising
students. I understand from a comment by Kancho Milburn"Sensei Seth was most impressed by the standard that Sakushinkan
members had exhibited on the day." Praise indeed?
The following candidates passed their grading;
Steve & Jack Fletcher 5th Kyu (Yellow)
Andy Broady
2nd Dan
John Murray
2nd Dan
Linda Hughes
2nd Dan
Simon McElvanney 2nd Dan
Steve Sleightholme 2nd Dan
Paul Hughes
3rd Dan
After the seminar a meal had been arranged at a local Chinese restaurant. This too was quite well
attended and proved to be a hit with both students and their partners. In other words a good time was had by all.
This will not be the last time such an event will occur! There are plans in the pipeline for seminars
to take place every 3 months or so in order to accommodate new / ungraded and our newly qualified Kyu grades to move up the
Aikido grading ladder. I am sure that Kancho will let us know in due course?
By way of a P.S. I wish to thank those Aikidoka who came from other clubs in the area to practise.
They all helped to make our day a huge success - THANK YOU!
Finally a Thank you to my long-suffering wife Valerie for taking some time to attend the
event and for taking the pictures for us.
Paul Hughes
