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Latest story from Claire. Epping TKD

Claire Merritt March 2 at 12:19pm
i was just reading up about ppls stories in the tkd site im not sure if u wanted just black belt sories or not if not i wanted to tell u mine if thats ok lol

a fellow neighbour and i had a leaflet through our door about a tkd club starting up in the june 2007 right next door to where we lived so we all thought we would give it ago our 1st lesson was quite scary as we though we wouldnt know anything or anyone but we were proved quite wrong, as the weeks went on i had got to know our instructors Colin, and Nathan and they had made it hard work but fun at the same time. The next thing i knew my 1st grading was due im sure most of us can remember that day, as i sat in the line thinking oh my god how am i gonna get though this Nathan came up to me and said dont worry Colin is in there asking the questions (i didnt know if that was good thing because he was there to support us or not beacuse i didnt want to let him down lol) i had got through my grading with an A-pass and went on to do 4 more. Each week was great as it was a challenge of me to get it all right and try hard i am now in my 3rd year of tkd and on my blue stripe and even though i had taken a few months out after having my baby, i still enjoy tkd as much as the 1st day i came along thank you colin for all your support and for helping us all to learn a fantastic sport x


BLACK BELT GRADING: Colin Mowatt

I have asked our Students to contribute a few words about their experience of the Black Belt grading. Below is something from me.

It has been 3 years since my last grading and thankfully having passed will be a minimum of 4 years untill my next.
The black belt grading is about so much more than just the few hours in the grading hall. There are the years of hard training that has gone before. The 3 pre grading sessions we all have to do before being accepted to grade. For all 1st Dans and above there are the 6 monthly pre grading assessments, the tournaments you need to attend as officials, and there are Umpire and Refs exams you have to pass. All this and try to stay fit and injury free.
By the time the day of the grading comes you should be ready and just let your training take over. Well that's the plan.........

Mark Dillon – My Tae Kwon Do story

It was a cold December day and I was sitting watching the football when the flapping of the letter box went. It was decision time. Did I carry on drinking my tea next to the warm radiator watching football or did I make the effort to collect the mail. I looked at the clock. This was not the time the postman delivered. Curiosity got the better of me and so I got up, fell over the cat and stumbled to the hallway.


Tae Kwon Do, first 2 lessons free, no experience required, Never too old, Never to unfit etc etc


This sounded perfect. I had given up football a few years earlier and my stomach was month on month getting bigger and bigger. My mind was made up. I was going to be a martial artist.


Those early days were amusing. I looked like I was directing traffic more than practising the art of Tae Kwon do. The lessons went quickly and soon the first grading had arrived. This was fun.


I felt nervous on the day of the first grading. This must be normal I thought to myself. Eventually they called my name and I went through to the grading room. There was Ten of us all lined up on our starting points, myself being on spot number one. The room was silence. The atmosphere was tense. I looked around. This was scary. It felt like I was in front of the firing squad and I was about to die. Was this a nightmare? Was I going to wake up and this was just a bad dream? Then out of nowhere, this little bald headed man sitting at the front shouted something and looked at me. Oh s***. What did he say? Was he looking at me? He shouted again and then looked at me. I looked around to see if anybody was behind me. No there was not. Impatiently he told me it was normal for us to hold up your hand and shout your name and grade. As quick as I could I done just that and he quickly moved on. Wow, this was something different, something I had never experienced before. I must have looked a pratt. I somehow fumbled my way through the rest of the grading and I was sure I had failed. I apologised to Nathan and Colin for having a disaster and went home quickly. In fact it turned out that I got an A pass and that little bald headed man turned out to be Ron Sergiew, perhaps he did not hate me after all.


The months went by, my confidence grew, the grading’s, they come and they went, the belts kept changing colour. Winter camps, competitions, lessons, barbecues, Christmas parties, this had become fun. This had become more than just a hobby. Of course on those winter nights, when it was dark, cold and raining it was hard. It was hard to put that dobok on and then be physically abused by Nathan’s fitness programme. When I look back, I can honestly say, it helped me. Nathans enthusiasm for seeing me in pain paid dividends in the end. Colin’s immaculate attention to detail, his incredible knowledge had become imbedded in my mind. The years went by and the time had come. Nearly four years after getting that leaflet, the black belt grading was approaching.


We had to do three black belt grading lessons and the words of one of the instructors kept ringing around my head. ‘Your black belt grading will be one of those day’s that you will remember for the rest of your life ‘

This turned out to be very true and I will explain why these words turned out to be so correct.


I was sitting at work and my phone rung out to indicate I had received a text. I looked at the phone and it was from Colin. “ Black belt grading confirmation, 9.30 Saturday 17th October”. My body shivered, my stomach tensed. The time had come.


On Friday 16th October, I met with Nick, Chris, John and Angie. We were going to travel together to Bristol. We had started the Tae Kwon Journey together nearly four years earlier and I can say I was comfortable in calling them my friends. All bags loaded, Sat Nav on, we were set and we left Bishop’s Stortford for the Academy in Bristol.


The vision’s of a marble floored palace, with monks and statues was soon destroyed as we approached the academy. The area was a disaster. We tried to park the car. Would the wheels be stolen? the stereo? May be the car? I was not sure, but we left it and wandered towards this shabby, run down building. “TAGB academy” We had found the place but it was a little different to what we expected. In some strange way it did not matter. We were here to pass our black belt. We were here to take the next step of our journey.


Of course, I was nervous. Anyone to say anything else is not telling the truth. We were there at 8.45am and early on I was told I would not be grading until 12.30pm. Those hours of sitting and waiting were hard. I drunk water, ate a banana and awaited the moment. The waiting area was crowded with only the floor to sit on. The atmosphere was unique, a tense atmosphere with a mixture of excitement. Another banana, the clock ticked slowly. Every minute seemed like an hour. Eventually I was called for questions. It was about to start. The moment had arrived.


It was a small room with two computers. Behind one was Brian Towndrow and behind the other was Gianni Peros. I had seen their faces in the TABG handbook. We went in as a group of twelve, 2 rows of six waiting for our turn. Whilst waiting I was answering the other peoples questions in my head. This was good, I knew the answers. I noted that the questions from Brian Towndrow were harder that the questions from Gianna Peros. May be this was my imagination. Then, my turn had come, Brian called my name and I stepped up, bowed and said” Good morning Sir”.

I had spent months learning every part of the hand book. I was nervous but confident.

Question one. O my god. That was not in the book. I stood there in silence, shocked. Then I burst into life. I did not know the answer but I talked and I talked and I talked. Eventually I finished and he went on to tell me the correct answer. He also talked and talked and talked but I could not remember a word of it. I was not in a position to absorb new information at that moment. He gave me one mark out of two and I thanked him for that. Question two. O my god. That was not in the book either. Once again I stood there in silence, in shock. I talked and talked once more. Eventually I finished and he went on to tell me the correct answer. Again, he gave me one mark out of two and once again, I thanked him. Question three, O my god, this was unbelievable, three questions and not from the book. I stood their in disbelief. Did he not like me? Did he want me to fail? Was the computer not working?

I talked and talked and talked. Eventually I finished, he looked at me, smiled, told me he agreed and gave me two marks out of two. Wow, that was lucky. I did not know one answer but I had got four marks out of six. I left that room as fast as my little gets could carry me.


I was back in the waiting area. Everybody was telling me about their questions. How easy they were and they had answered them with no problems. Unfortunately I could not say the same and I was conscious they had all scored more marks than I had. I kept saying to myself that this was the smallest part of the grading and it did not matter.


Shortly afterwards, we were told we could go through to the grading room and start warming up whilst the examiners took a break. I felt good, the time had come and everything was going to be ok. I warmed up. I kept saying to myself, focus, power, stances. Get the basics right, the rest will follow. Very soon after, we were all saying the Tae Kwon DO oath and then within seconds I had been called to spot number eight. The grading room was small. I was close to the wall. The person in front was close and the person behind even closer. We started with line work. It was going well. Nothing too complicated. It was tiring but I was doing ok. Towards the end of the line work, we had to do turning kick, reverse turning kick. I struggled to keep my balance on some of these and then disaster struck. On the reverse turning kick I managed to kick the girl in front round the head. She screamed out in pain. The room come to a stop. The examiners all looked over. After a few concerned looks between themselves the girl confirmed she was ok and the line work continued. This had knocked my confidence. How would this be viewed? Would I lose marks? This was not good.


Next we had to do our choice pattern. I had to keep calm. Concentrate, everything would be ok. I started well, everything went to plan. I was three quarters of the way through the pattern and I become distracted, lost my concentration. Then, disaster struck. I moved in the wrong direction, become totally dis-orientated and finished the pattern miles away from my starting place, facing the wrong way. Every one had finished and then the command was given to return to ready stance. I wanted the floor to open up so I could disappear. I was on the wrong side of the room. All the examiners were looking at me and I had just made the most horrendous mistake on the most important part of the grading. I ran back to my spot ready to start my next pattern.


My mind was a mess. Not only did I nearly knock out the girl in front on the line work I had done the worst version of Hwa Rang that I had ever done in my life. In my mind, I had failed. I had let myself down. The occasion had beaten me. My head was going to explode. I had to get a grip. I was at the early parts of the grading and I had to turn this around. May be it was too late, may be I had failed already but I had to try. I had to find a way to pick myself up and perform like a black belt. The pressure was on.


I started my next pattern but my mind was destroyed. I stopped thinking and went into autopilot. My body was moving but my brain was drained. Now, it was down to instinct. I was relying of those hours and hours of practise. Those hours of Colin telling me my foot should be one inch forward, one hand one inch back, that training would be essential. It was the only chance I had.


From what I could remember it went well. The next pattern was Chong Moo. Thirty moves later I finished. Again, from what I can remember it had gone well. My recovery had started. I was starting to turn this around. I had to keep this up.


Set sparring all went well. Those hours and hours of critism from Natham had payed off. It went smooth, felt good and I was confident I had done the job here. My comeback was gaining momentum. I had to keep this up.


We were sent to get ready for sparring. I was exhausted both mentally and physically. My mind was still confused, I was drenched in sweat. Somebody come up to and asked if I was ok. Asked if I needed water, asked if I needed to sit down. I must have been in a bad way but I said no, I put on my gloves and head guard and headed back for the grading room. I had more to do.


There was three sparring sessions. Whilst waiting to go on, I knew I had to do well after my earlier errors. I had to give it everything and that’s what I done. Guard up, circular movement, block and attack. The basics were routed to my mind. I did not stop trying. It seemed to go on forever but at the end a friend told me” that was the best I have ever seen you spar”. That felt good to hear, but in my mind I had failed. Those early mistakes were sure to take there toll. My disappointment was evident. I had let my self down and let down my instructors. I had not performed to my potential. I was so disappointed. I felt so low and everyone around me could see that.


We had to wait for our results and the next day I did not feel any better. In fact I thought it was better for me to fail so that I could go back to that environment and win. Grade to my ability and beat the occasion.


I did in fact pass but strangely it does not seem so important and there are four things that I would like to share.


At one time the tenents of Tae Kwon Do were words. Now, they are words with a meaning.
Do not under estimate the knowledge of your two instructors. In Colin, there is a wealth of knowledge from a fanatic whose pleasure is driven by making others succeed.
Unfortunately others made mistakes on this day and they did not have my good fortune. To watch that person accept and overcome their disappointment in the way that they have has been a lesson to myself. You know who you are and you are the hero of the weekend. Next time is your time and you will achieve your goal. That is for sure.
I was not sure what I would do once I had got my black belt. Would I give up? Try another martial art? But now my destiny is clear. I have to return to that academy, that environment, those examiners and fore fill my potential. I need to beat the occasion and grade in the way I know I can and thus my destiny is to become a second dan.


One last thing Mr Mowatt. I may have finished a long way from my starting position on my pattern but I do not need a taxi to get back on my spot. Thank you for offering and thank you for everything else.


John Anderson

Passing the Black Belt grading feels like a welcome break after months of pressure, but it's also left a bit of a hole... We'd been working up to this for nearly four years, and suddenly it's all over. I'd wondered what I'd do next - maybe it would be a good time to relax and reduce the training effort for a while, or explore another martial art - but having got back, received my new belt, and started learning the first of my new patterns, I'm in no doubt that the next step is to get straight back into training ready for the next challenge and some new responsibilities!


Nick Bailey
Hi, I’m Nick Bailey. I’m one of the Lucky one’s to have achieved 1st Dan recently. I have left it a bit long to say something but thought it was about time. I didn’t mean it to end up War and Peace but got a bit carried away!

I've always been interested in martial arts from a kid. I practiced Judo when I was in junior school and won a few medals at my weight. Even for someone as small as me it was a great way to build strength both physically and mentally. I'm not really sure why I gave Judo up, but I enjoyed the sport.

In secondary school I toyed with doing Karate, but never really committed to a club. The problem was girls were becoming far more interesting!

Some years later when I finished my apprenticeship, I saw a self-defence class being run by a man called Roger Hall. If anyone recognises the name, he was the big man of Shotokan Karate in the area. I went along and was impressed by him and his teaching but wanted a bit more. I then decided to start karate.

On the off chance I was speaking to a couple of lads who trained in Harlow, practicing Shotokan Karate. They told me to come along. As I worked in Harlow and worked long days this was ideal.

I trained for about 4 years. The training was gruelling. We could spend a whole lesson on a walking stance and punch. It had to be correct. Our instructor would only accept power at all times. I enjoyed the strict routine but a lot of people fell by the way side.
I was 1 year from 1st Dan and the club folded. I was so disappointed. I tried other clubs but they did not compare. Disillusioned, I gave up.

Over the years I wanted to try again but wanted to try something different. Then one day a flyer dropped through my door. Try Tae Kwon Do, first two lessons free. I had a quick look on the net and liked what I saw. I went along to the first night to see two guys in black doboks. One looked like he was ready to tear the place apart the other mild mannered, calm. I did wonder what I had let myself in for! We started training and those years of karate training helped me out, but this style was different in it's own right.

Then came the first grading. I hate grading or any other test with a vengeance! I recall the Mark Dillon account as I was standing next to him! Not knowing what to say or how loud!

The training was a bit more relaxed than I was used to, but realised this is what I had been looking for in a martial art. I had two instructors who had their own strong fields and I could benefit from both. The club grew, competitions were entered, grading's came, training seminars attended, Epping started and new friendships were made. Then came the fateful date, 17th October 2009, 9.30am 1st Dan grading.

Friday 16th October, Mark behind the wheel, Chris, Angie, John, and I set off for Bristol guided by the Sat Nav. We arrived, checked in to our hotel and set off to find the TAGB shrine. We called Colin to say we'd arrived and ask how he’d got on as he had just graded for 3rd Dan. Yep he was in the pub! We met up with him later, but that's another story!
We found the TAGB Academy. Not what we were expecting but we entered to see what was going on as other red tags were having their grading that day. The whole place was buzzing with tension, relief, concentration, nerves, it was all there. We returned to our hotel with our own nerves, had a bite to eat and semi slept until the journey back in the morning for our turn to grade.

We were let in at 9am, got changed and went upstairs to the dojang. We were all lined up and put into our groups. My worst fear had happened. I was in the first group to grade! I was hoping to be later, to be able to ask what was the format, what questions did you get.

The first 7 groups were told to stay and the others to wait downstairs.
My group was called for questions. We were taken out of the dojang into a small room with Mr Gianni Peros and Mr Brian Towndrow. I listened to the other students question’s hoping mine would be similar and then Mr Peros called me. He asked me my questions, which I surprisingly got correct, the studying had paid off!
Now feeling a little bit relaxed and more focused we then got ferried back into the dojang and the first 7 groups lined up.

Then the TAGB committee walked in. I first felt dread but then realised I was standing in front of the faces from the book I had been studying. It was amazing! We said the oath all together. The other 6 groups were taken out for their questions and our group sat at the back where the club instructors were watching, wanting to see their students make them proud.

We then got called up to our positions, all shouting 'Here Sir!' as loud as we could.
The line work was then performed. I recall how the pronunciation of the moves was different from how we might say them on occasion, especially when we were asked to perform the first 2 moves of Toi Gye. Ask me next time you see me!

Then came my choice pattern, Do San. Focus, power and big kihap at the end. Not to bad. Now the examiners choice pattern, Dan Gun. What I hear you cry! Well at this level it has to be perfect. More focus, power and even bigger kihap at end. Last of all the grading pattern, Chong Mo. Don’t mess up the jump and take your time. Went pretty well, no major mistakes.

Next 3 step sparring. The guy I did this with was a bit nervous. Defending before I had attacked. Made it a bit hard but soon sorted that out. More noise. Plenty of kihaping! 1 step sparring. Make it look good and more noise.

We then got told to go downstairs to put on our sparring equipment. I now realised how much I was sweating and how dry my mouth was. Now with half a bottle of water drunk and sparring gear on, we went back in the dojang bowing as we entered and sat quietly at the back. We were able to see group 2’s grading, trying to compare our grading with theirs.

We then got called back to our places. Turn face your opponent. Remembering Mr Sergiew’s words from a previous pre black belt lesson, ‘if you can dominate your opponent do, if you can’t, show your defence. You don’t have to murder your opponent to impress, this is a grading not a competition, keep moving’.
The first two bouts went well. Touching gloves at beginning and end. My last opponent was getting angry, making the sparring in the grading environment hard and at the end not touching gloves. All I can say is look at your Tenets. Back on my spot, charyot, kyong-ye. My grading was over, time to see the others before they go in, then hit the showers.

At the end of the day we all went down the pub for a quick pint discussing our grading, some happy and some not.

Waiting for the phone call from Colin to find out if I had passed felt like forever. When it came and I found I had passed, I felt great. Then came the news not all of us had. That was the hard part. All I can say is that he took it with great dignity and courage. He is everything the 5 tenets signify.

The last 4 years of training has been a brilliant journey, but this journey has only just started. I am now looking to train for my 2nd Dan. There is a lot to do in the next 2 years but I look forward to it. I’d like to thank Colin and Nathan for all the gruelling, technical lessons I’ve had and for their support and the support other students in the club have given me.

I hope your journey, whatever stage it is at, is driving your to your next. If not grab one of us, ask questions, tell us to show you. If we’re not sure we will find someone who is. Tell Colin and Nathan your training worries, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained there. Don’t fall by the way side, embrace the challenge, encourage everyone higher grade or lower, it is worth it.

Lastly I’d like to say, I’ve made some great friends and met some interesting people. I hope to see more people take up Tae Kwon do, so let’s tell everyone about how great it is and make our club grow.

CHRIS LEVIN

It was Friday 16th October and the sun was shining as I met with, Angie, John, Mark & Nick and loaded our bags into Mark’s car for the journey to Bristol. In simple terms the plan was to get to Bristol, relax in the evening, get up on Saturday morning feeling refreshed and ready, take the blackbelt grading and then head back to Bishop’s Stortford for a curry and beer together in the evening.

The journey to Bristol seemed to fly past, the car was full of chatter and confidence accompanied by periods of silence – I guess I wasn’t the only one who was a bit nervous. Before we knew it we were at the hotel – ok we’d had a slight detour round the one way system but it was nice to see some sights. At the hotel we met up with Linda and everyone was in good spirits. A few of us decided to take a drive and check out the venue for what would be an important day in our martial arts career.

The TAGB Headquarters suddenly appeared in site. My first thought – is that it?? Not what I had expected. We had a look inside, the place was buzzing with excitement and nerves as fellow students were grading. We left the venue and headed back to the hotel, the evening was approaching and we were mindful that food was a priority.

A relaxing meal and some good banter followed. I could feel the nerves a bit more but having seen the venue I felt confident that the training would see myself and my friends through what lay ahead the next day. After all, we had all been training hard under the guidance of Colin and Nathan. Colin had corrected stances, hand positions and any other imperfections so that we were all at the top of our game. Nathan had pushed us physically and mentally, drilled our set sparring into us and made sure we were as fit as we could be. I felt good and felt ready for the next day. It was time for bed.

Saturday morning and we met in the hotel lobby. I had a mixture of nervous energy and adrenalin pumping through me. Nobody seemed to have had a great night’s sleep but nobody seemed tired. A short drive and we were back at the venue. Doboks and belts were put on, we were ready. The nerves were still there but subsiding, I felt good and was ready to go. Our names were read out and we were assigned groups. I was in the group 10, the last one. This meant a few hours sitting about; this wasn’t part of the plan. In a way I felt jealous of Nick, he was in the first group and pretty much straight into action.

The time seemed to pass quickly and suddenly my group was being called. We all stood and said the oath, it was almost time. First up the questions; Gianni Peros and Brian Towndrow were asking them – I was nervous again, terminology had never been my strong point. I had spent the past month or so listening to Korean terminology on my IPod whilst on the train to work. I’d also been studying the books, and whilst I knew quite a bit the nerves where still there. Suddenly I’m in front of Gianni Peros, question 1 – I know the answer, question 2 – I stutter a bit but again the answer is there and I’m saying it, questions 3 & 4 follow the same pattern. Questions over and I’ve got them all right. I feel great, confidence has gone up and I’m buzzing.

Next up it was the practical side. Being in group 10, I got to watch groups 7-9 go first. Watching what they were doing, I realised it was stuff that I knew and which I knew I could do. Suddenly group 10 were called to the floor. No time or place for hiding now. Line work was first up. I was aware my stances could have been better in the weeks beforehand and I put every effort into making sure they were as good as they could be so that the assorted 7th & 8th Dan Masters could see I was 1st Dan material. Sure I wobbled a couple of times, I think most people did, but I still felt good and didn’t encounter any problems.

Line work out the way and it was pattern time. Choice pattern, Hwa Rang, I had practised it countless times, fast, slow, full power, half power – even with my eyes shut. Suddenly half way through a move from Choong Moo appears. My brain freezes, what am I doing, this is not good. I’ve lost all chain of thought and momentum, and return to ready stance. Inexplicably I freeze in ready stance and it requires a prompt from Don Atkins to get me to start again. This is definitely not good. I start again, conscious that all eyes are now on me. It happens again, what’s that move doing there? this time I carry on though. “Ok Hwa Rang doesn’t have the extra moves in but I finished it correctly, surely they can see that” was what I was saying to myself. My head was spinning but I had only seconds to reflect on my error as it was time for Joong Gun. I start with a slight error, but the rest of the pattern seems to flow ok.

Set sparring time. We are told to take positions for two step. I’m trying to keep my head up but something is not feeling right. The first one and it goes wrong. I swore to myself – why is this happening? Was it me, was it the other person – honestly I still don’t know, it’s a blur. The other three go ok but I am concerned about how silly mistakes are creeping in. It’s time for one step sparring, perfect. They all feel good and go to plan – autopilot had kicked in.

Free sparring time, suddenly I’m trying to put my sparring gear on quickly. I feel all over the place but know I have to spar well. Seeing Colin on the way up to spar he tells me to “Look busy” I nod – I knew it was a must. Three bouts later and the fitness from Nathan’s training has paid off, with me only feeling tired towards the end of the third bout. I’d moved about a lot, attacked with both punches and kicks when I could and defended well. I’d even managed to throw an outrageous dummy with my left hand to connect with my right. Maybe I’d done enough.

Soon we were changed and on our way home, I didn’t feel good though. I knew I’d mucked up and done so on the part where a large amount of points are available. For me the drive home was a solemn one. We all chatted, but people were tired. I had a mixture of emotions running through me, the majority being negative. Still nothing I could do now to change what had happened.

It was Monday and I felt terrible. Not only was the grading playing on my mind but I was suffering from man flu. I wasn’t the best company that day. Monday evening and still no news as I travelled home from work. As I walked through my front door my phone rang –it was Colin. “It’s not good news Chris” said the voice from the other end. It was what I was expecting but not what I was hoping for. We chatted for a bit, my friends had all passed. I felt bad and felt like I had let my instructors, friends and fellow students down. The club no longer had a 100% pass rate at gradings and that was my fault. I was gutted, strangely not so much through failing the grading but because I hadn’t performed anywhere near the level I was capable of.




Tuesday evening arrived and whilst I was overcoming the man flu I was unsure about attending training. To be honest I’d spent most of the day with what seemed like a million different thoughts about Taekwondo bouncing round in my head and was not sure what I wanted to do. I would be lying if I said that at some point I hadn’t considered calling it a day. I thought about the tenants, in particular Indomitable Spirit and Perseverance – I couldn’t quit, I had a point to prove.

Lesson time and 1st Dan presentations. I was genuinely pleased to see my friends and fellow students receive their black belts, they deserved their rewards. It wasn’t easy, as I kept thinking that I should’ve been stood there with them but this was their moment and I needed to snap back into action.

It would be easy to blame the disturbed sleep on Friday, the noisy hotel guest who woke me early in the morning or the waiting around and being in the last group for failing. The truth is that it was none of these things, other people had the same circumstances and passed. The fact is that on the day I just didn’t click and the occasion beat me. Days like that happen and it’s how you deal with it that dictates who you are. Yes I felt full of self pity for a bit and doubted myself, but that was a temporary blip. Now I’m ready to carry on training hard as I have some unfinished business to sort out in April next year!

Finally a few things:

The phone call I received with words or encouragement shortly before the first Tuesday lesson after the grading was very much appreciated – thank you, I owe you a beer or two.
To Colin & Nathan, thank you for the work you have put in with us. Sorry it didn’t completely go to plan this time but next year will be different.
To the five new blackbelts – congratulations, you thoroughly deserve the achievement and our club, along with Harlow and Epping can only benefit from having you guys there.
To the rest of the club – keep training hard, we have a good mix of experience and knowledge at our club which is of huge benefit to all.

Chris

LINDA HOLLAND
I remember the very first day I walked into class, with Mr. Penn, at Brays Grove School in Harlow......a little bald man with one arm and one leg, but who commanded the respect of every single student there.

In civvies’ clothes, I was in oar of the higher grades in their crisp white doboks, the way the instinctively knew what to do – especially the row of black belts at the front of the class, seem to recall a bit of an old bloke who moved quite well, and another bald headed bloke who looked like a bit of a thug, and one who was pretty quick considering the beer belly- but they turned out to be ok in the end- little did I know years later they would turn out to be the instructors who would take me through my black belt grading!! . I just remember thinking “oh my God- I will never be that good”

But after years of training black belt grading was fast approaching.........and things are not going so well....

Who says the harder you train the better you get? Putting in extra lessons at Epping at Bishop’s Stortford allowed me to put myself through physical hell and a fair amount of humiliation in front of so many more people than I needed to – truth is, more I trained, the more I forgot, the more I did things wrong, and the more I fell over!!! Not only that, but 3 weeks to go, and I haven’t even decided on my one step yet!! – still, with training 4 times a week at least I would end up with the body of a goddess.............mmmmmmm apparently not (sorry ladies)

At this point I would like to thank Colin for his grading countdown timer on the website......30 days... 10 days...... 3 days...... 28 hours...... 52 minutes – didn’t feel the pressure of that at all!!

But here it was, and again things didn’t start well. Washed my dobok, ironed my dobok, hung it up all crisp and ready to go, and OMG its rubbed against another car, and is now black all down the side- why me?? Good job I packed a spare, but it’s not the same ;-(, plus still got this bloody cold!

Travelling down to Bristol with Colin and Mick- knowing the Stortford lot would be joining us later....nerves really starting to kick in, can’t eve follow the conversation as my head is spinning with Korean, and pattern meanings, and moves and all the things I needed not to get wrong again...so I opted to try to sleep for most of the journey.

Hotel is lovely....and I have loads of time to relax as thankfully Colin is on the hotspot before me- for his 3rd Dan. So alone in my room, running through pattern moves and line work in between the beds and around the furniture- at least till room service came in and caught me, giving me a very strange look indeed...not sure if that’s because I was doing some very ridiculous movement, or because I happened to be doing them in my swimming cosy waiting for Angie to arrive.

Well arrive they did, Angie, Nick, Mark, Chris and John (not in the same style as the Peterborough Football Team, but hey ho). The boys all went off to find Colin and Mick- who were really hard to find (in the pub following Colin’s grading obviously!!)

So then, how to best prepare for the looming grading tomorrow.........hit the sauna!! Angie and I decide to go practice in the pool and the hotel leisure centre...practicing our Korean in the sauna..so what that two blokes came in, so what they were laughing....didn’t mean they were laughing at us right? WRONG!! Having introduced themselves as Keith and Chris...4th and 6th Dan respectfully... God I feel soooo stupid now, and even more unprepared than ever.

Good job I had a drink last night, otherwise I would never have slept, but this morning everyone is very quiet, busy in their own heads. Panic as I realised that my dobok had still not been returned by the hotel laundry service- NNNOOO not today, of all days- but saved with seconds to spare ( so thanks to the lovely lady on reception)

Missed the Academy when we drove past it- I was expecting something grand- a national Academy.....you’ll understand when you get there!! Got there nice and early to park, spent ages waiting outside in the freezing cold. Finally we’re in and called up, split into our groups.....I was pleased to be with Mark, and a couple of other faces I recognised from other clubs. We were group 7, behind us came John and Chris – all our groups having to go downstairs to wait, and wait and wait. Told that we would have to answers our questions, then come back down to wait some more – confident was totally opposite to how I felt.

In a tiny little room, I faced Gianni Peros and Brian Towndrow.....I was last to be called...number 12 – Can you tell me the meaning of Chong Moo?...YES!! yes I can- remember Colin telling me just talk till he tells you to shut up...so I do....and he did!! Question 2 – can you tell me the relevance of the year 1910? OMG Yes, I can do that too, again I talk, and he tells me to be quiet, Question 3- can you tell me the Korean for L stance...I do a double take...seriously??? really?? For my black belt?........the months of toil and hard slog to remember reams of history for this? I can tell him, and the weight distribution.........not sure what else to expect ..he has to tell me twice to leave!!

It’s after the break, and Angie and Nick have done their bit- not that I have time to find out what to expect....it’s us up.........number 12, back row, but still nowhere to hide.

Line work, thinking L stance, foot shapes, don’t wobble and don’t fall over...check, Patterns- Mick’s words in my head- go slow, finish last...........pattern Won-Hyo...slow slow slow ....check –so far so good, choice pattern- Hwa-Rang- have to stop thinking so hard, can’t remember everything and its panicking me..just get through it...check, final one – Choong Moo- I know this, I know I do, must try to jump spin without falling over, and without my knee dying on me, keep it slow, keep it sharp.....check –I don’t think I have done anything too bad yet, and almost there.

Line up for 3 step sparring...WHAT?? I wanted 2 step, sure I can’t remember 3 step...luckily, only got to number two before getting moved on to 1 step...I feel good about this, struggled to choose some, but once I had I practiced them over and over again- praise from my fellow students about this would mean more to me that that of my instructors afterwards. (thanks John)

Almost done, sparring to go.......and so far not a hint of snot in sight...well ..until now –first spar..keep moving..woops got kicked in the head, that shook me, oh no...nose starting to run too...too many things to think about...3 spars later seem to have a bit of a runny nose problem...but it’s over..............all the training, blood sweat and tears, the worry the stress...and it’s all done now, can’t do anything more now, except wait for the results.

Monday night, due at class tonight and still not heard.....am the only one from Harlow, and dreading the news if I fail, but no news might be good news....it was, I passed...am prouder than I can put into words........but no belt today, too soon, feels a bit weird. Tuesday and I hear the fate of the Stortford guys, a very very big hug later, were getting our belts- except mine is on loan, have to give it back ;-( Finally on Thursday I get my belt and certificates, in front of my friends at Epping class. From this moment on, the next goal is 2nd Dan...so bring it on and let the fun begin.

You know at school when they tell you the algebra you learn you will use throughout your life, and as soon as you leave school you never think of again..............TKO is not like that- what you learn on day one is the same stuff you will do every day, you just learn to do it better!! Anyone can do it; we all start at the same place with the same worries, the same questions and doubts, so come on.......what have you got to lose? It could be your story here before you know it...

Special thanks

To Mr. Penn, who always gave me inspiration to work hard no matter what obstacles cross your path.

To Colin, Nathan and Mick, who pushed me and always told me the truth, even when it was hard to hear, and did it with a smile

To everyone at Bishop’s Stortford and Epping schools, who have made me feel so welcome and a part of your class for the last 8 months (you won’t be able to get rid of me now!!)

Although you may have to wait for April, to me...your hard work, commitment, and indomitable spirit makes you every much a black belt as me already xx

Well Guys, i guess its my turn, i have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your imput from that dreaded weekend, so i am not going to add much more. What i will say is i have enjoyed training with Nick, John, Chris and Mark over the last 4 years, and Linda over the last 8 months, i regard you all as my friends, and it is a pleasure to know each and everyone of you, your all stars and so special in your own very different individual ways.
So Friday as you have already read Mark drove us to Bristol, we were cheery but nervous. When we got there the boys went to find the acadamy (cheers guys!) whilst myself and Linda hit the sauna where we met the lovely Chris and Keith, great guys, and thanks for all your imput, even if you did scare the shite out of us!!!!
So as we left, Colin and Mick were still at the bar and a little worse for wear! Linda and i got ready and joined the others before going for a meal. I had prawns.....later to be regretted!!!! As the boys left to get an early night, Colin Mick Linda and I went to the pub and met up with our new friends Chris Keith and Dan. Just lovely friendly Yorkshire men who gave us alot of advice, even though we did have to turn them down on the offer of joining them at the Vodka bar for a rack of Vodka, sorry guys!!! Home and in bed by midnight as planned, time for Korean questions...Linda getting them all right, and me getting them all wrong, not a good start!!! It gets better, 3am, dodgy tummy, got to the bathroom, sick everywhere, i hadn't managed to get the toilet seat up, and the whole bathroom was covered in prawns!! Not pretty, took me 45 mins to clean up.....by 6am i still couldn't sleep, woke Linda and it was down to the jacuzzi where we found Mark, and were later joined by Nick.
Refreshed we set off to the Acadamy. Nerves all over the place, 30 min wait outside, tried to eat, couldn't. Got inside, got changed, practised a few bits and we were then called into groups, i was group 5 which meant i would be graded in the morning, the others had to wait until the afternoon, except Nick, who had managed to get in group one bless him.
Its quite daunting having the TAGB comittee members come in and sit down, but i have the upmost respect for each and everyone of them.
Shortly after questions, not to bad, mostly right...then onto the grading. Line work was not to good, Toi Gye may well have not exsisted as i forgot the first two moves completely but somehow managed to make it look like i knew what i was doing. The rest went pretty well and overall i was happy with my efforts, although they could have been better.
Nick and I headed to the pub for a quick beer whilst the others graded, we headed back a short time later.
Having no doubt that my fellow students had done well as they are all amazing, i learnt that a couple had made a few mistakes, mistakes!!! these guys didn't make mistakes, but i was confident we had all done enough. The journey home was a bit quieter than the journey there with everyone having their own thoughts about how the day went, we went out for dinner that night, and all in all i thought we had all done well.
Monday arrives, the call from Colin comes, i'd passed, i was chuffed, but it was short lived. I learnt later that one of my fellow students had not be sucessful on this occassion and all i can say is i was gutted, the happiness for myself disappeared and i just felt it was wrong that the end of this particular journey hadn't been the happy one i was hoping for, and i still feel that way now.
Tuesday arrived at class, cuddles all round, we were presented with our black belts.........i was happy to receive it, but again, it didn't feel right, someone was missing from our line up and it put a damper on it. Dont get me wrong, i am really really chuffed with myself and for my other friends who were sucessfull, and i know that come April, our group will be complete again, i have no doubt about that whatsoever.(who else can i forget my 2 step with!!)
Lastly, just to end, big big thanks, to my brilliant Instructors, Colin for being Colin, and Nathan for being Nathan, i have the upmost respect for both of you, and also consider you very dear friends. Thanks to everyone at TKD, we have a great group of people and i look forward to watching everyone succeed.
For now, umpire course, instructor course, do some teaching.....watch this space!!!!!!

Ang


OTHER FEEDBACK

As one of the few girls within the group, i thought i would add a little input into the corner, as as you know, i am not one for being left out!!! I started Taekwondo in 1985 when i was much younger and got to red belt. My family moved and i could not continue, and was pretty gutted, so when i saw an ad for Taekwondo in my local hall, i thought why not??
I must say, i felt very relaxed from day 1, a lot of the old stuff came back to me, and the Instructors are great. I never felt out of my depth, or like the new girl. Everyone was, and still is to this day very friendly. They are a great bunch, and we do have a laugh in class, and although we are learning, it doesn't feel like its hard work. Dont get me wrong, we get put through are paces!!! But at 36 years old, i would say it has kept me fit, and i am yet to get even a tiny hint of a bingo wing!!!
To be honest, its a great way to keep fit, have fun and learn something new. I am due to take my black belt this year, and i cant wait. I hope to get my son into it soon, so it can be a family thing.
It also helps that we have two brilliant instructors, we are a bit spoilt! We have Colin, calm, placid, technical, and a total perfectionist...he will have you do something over and over until is right! Then Nathan, well, what can i say, you'll always know how to get yourself out of trouble!!! This is why the class has a 100 percent pass mark at gradings, hopefully it will stay that way and i'm not jinxing myself!!!
So, all i will say, if you are interested, come along, try it out, all ages train, and give it a month or so, not everyone can pick everything up straight away, but once you've got it, you just get better and better!!!Hope to see some new faces soon.
Angie
Bishops stortford Taewondo




I started TKD in Feb 2006 after my friend Chris recommended it. I moved to London a couple of months after my first grading and although I would have liked to kept it going I had to stop as there were no classes near me! I moved back to Stortford a year later (usual story moved in with a girl and she turned out to be a raving loony) and restarted training.

I found after a couple of months of training my fitness improved tremendously which is one of the main reasons I started.

The lessons are varied, each week we practice a different aspect of TKD. Colin and Nathan also show how what we learn in class can be used in real life situations. We get to test ourselves again other TKD clubs at competitions which I have been luckily enough to win more than I’ve lost.

The classes can be hard but are always enjoyable and everyone gets on well, this is helped by the social nights out we have which I sometimes find hard to remember thanks to the amount of alcohol.

Edward Alderton: Bishops Stortford


Hi Colin,

Thought I'd take a few mins to add something.

My first experience with martial arts was Karate in 2001. Up until 1998 I'd always kept fit through rugby and then athletics. After stopping these I enjoyed going out more and became less fit and nimble. Karate seemed a good way to get back into shape I started training under Sensei Khera. The training was fun but disciplined and very technique focused and I eventually graded to brown belt by late 2005, with a 4 month break due to breaking a bone in both arms at the same time! Due to a club move and work, I was unable to continue to train as much as I wanted - it was at this time in Jan 06 that I saw a flyer for Tae Kwon Do. I decided to give it a go and straight away I was impressed by the teaching and knowledge of Colin & Nathan. Whilst the Karate was a benefit in certain areas, for other things it meant unlearning and then learning new techniques. Almost 3 and half years later I am looking forwards to hopefully obtaining black belt this October. The club has grown in a great way since 2006 and is blessed with having with a wide range of personalities. The benefit of having two vastly experienced instructors is huge, something evident from the club's continuing tournament success - which will hopefully carry on.

Chris - Bishop's Stortford




Having asked my students to spend the time and effort to put together something for the students corner , i thought it only fair that i do the same and give you some background into how and
why i started training in Martial arts.

The why is probably like many in the eighties, Bruce Lee and the series Kung Fu.

I was introduced to Karate in 1982 by a friend of mine who was working for Cossers. There was a club run at Cossors by a very capable brown belt who had not graded further due to a leg injury. The classes were quite informal but still run with respect and discipline.

My friend and i were thrown in at the deep end as complete beginners and found it difficult to grasp the Kata {pattern} we were being taught.

I could see from these early lessons and the passion of the instructor that this was something i should explore further. Although i was having problems picking up the techniques etc i was convinced this was only because i needed to start at the beginning.

With this i mind we found a beginners class at Bush Fare in Harlow and enrolled in a six week beginners course. The first form we were taught was very similar to Chon Ji, no surprise as the Taekwondo patterns were formed by general Choi who was himself a 2nd Dan Karate student before developing Taekwondo.

The beginners course was run by a recently promoted black belt who got great pleasure in having us do many press ups on our knuckles as well as basic punches/kicks/blocks.
Having completed the beginners course, we were introduced to the main class having learned the first Kata {pattern} and the basic blocks, punches and kicks.
I use the word learned tongue in cheek, i am still learning to improve these basic moves.
The chief instructor of the club was a fearsome man who would stand no nonsense in class, you dare not turn up late for a lesson or question anything he said. I loved this strict discipline and enjoyed every moment and facet of training. It was hard with no thought of health and safety. An example being my friend stopped training after breaking his arm in the warm up.
Although different in many ways to Taekwondo there are many similarities.
I continued to train twice a week for over 2 years grading up to 5th Kup. At this point in time our chief instructor left the association and although the club was taken over by a very capable instructor Steve Wilson i decided to jointly train at Bishops Stortford under Roger Hall. The type of training was very different and a lot more technical.
I continued to train at both clubs but decided against grading again for another two years................... more to follow

Colin : Instructor Bishops Stortford & Epping

I Started Tae Kwon do as my brother started it before me and after fighting with him out in the garden he was starting to beat me so i thought i better take up the sport. Then when i started going up in the belts and going to competions i started to have a real interest in the whole meaning and reason for martial arts and not just the fighting side. I enjoy the theory and the philosphy behind it all. I enjoy the patterns and i really enjoy the sparring. I wish we could spar a little more than we currently do and would like to break more boards and concentrate on destruction methods now the class is getting its senior grades. I enjoy having you and nathan as our instructors as you enjoy patterns and are very technical which allows all your students to perform the patterns to the highest standard. And nathan to help us spare you both enjoy two different aspects of the art. Its nice to socialise with the students as well as it feels like a family rather than just a fighting class.

Alex Bland Bishops Stortford TKD

Hi Colin,

Thought I would write a bit about how I came back to Tae Kwon Do.

"I started Tae Kwon Do when I was 13 years old, many moons ago....I went through the grades and reached my Bule Belt Red Tag, shortly after we moved and I went to college, one turn after another and I never completed to Black Belt ( I could kick myself sometimes looking back). Now, I am 36 Years of age and last year joined the Epping Tae Kwon Do club. We moved into Epping in 2006, shortly after my son joined a local Karate Club, seeing him perform kindled a burnt out flame and I also wanted to go back and finish of what I had once started. Luckily for me, I had a flyer posted through my letterbox for Tae Kwon Do being taught at St Johns and so with that, I took the bull by the horns and turned up for my first lesson. It was the best thing I could have done, I joined May last year and now I am a Green Belt. I am really enjoying it and aim to get my Black Belt soon, the instructors (Colin and Nathan) and my fellow club members are great and fun to train with."

Thanks Colin and see you tomorrow, hope the knee is a lot better, starjumps for you tomorrow!

Regards,

Jay. Epping TKD