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The Biography of Sensei Derek Eastman 5th Dan

The Biography of Sensei Derek Eastman 5th Dan

By David J Wilson ESTA Secretary - July 2003

I have known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years I've heard so many stories about both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to promoting Aikido early in the UK, some of the history highlights their hard training and recognition of a true martial art, however, there are many amusing anecdotes.

Sensei Eastman is the only Aikido student from 1950's "Cabin" Dojo has never given an interview saying that "History Ellis Sensei is more interesting than mine. "
I asked Sensei Eastman for readers to decide that accepting this interview.

Introduction

Q-DW: Sensei Eastman, first I would like to thank you for agreeing to this interview.

A-SE: My pleasure David.

Q-DW: When born?

A-DE: it was a premature baby, born prematurely 20 years on 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 any other sport.

A-SE: Yes, I was in the County school track and field team and often run for my school in the county at various events.

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

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

Q-DW: Where to start his long journey of Aikido?

A-SE: In the now internationally famous "Hut" or later became the "Abbe School of Budo" His name was actually the "Abbe School of Judo" when I joined.

First visit to the "cabin" Dojo.

Q-DW: Would you Judo have been your first contact with martial arts on his first visit to the "Hut"?

A-SE: I vividly remember that first visit with a friend of mine as we walked in the room no one noticed that all eyes were focused on action on the mat.

There was a guy in the center of the mat with a blindfold who later became known as Sensei Harry Ellis.
The blindfolded student was being attacked by three degrees higher than not, and believe me, no were walking around, in addition to three students attacking the blindfolded students had another guy who was obviously the top man here (I later learned he was Sensei Williams).
I was hitting the guy with a shinai (bamboo sword) shouting at him about his bad posture and not moving around fast enough.

My friend turned to me and said: "From Jeeezzz!, I do not want any of that, is not it, I'm outta here."
With that he left.

Perhaps I was not thinking clearly, but I stayed around and asked for some club information on beginners classes.

Q-DW: After witnessing that a first view of the martial arts, why not make the same wise move as your friend?

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

There were always fights with our guys and the soldiers of the Queens Household Cavalry who had a lot of tough old guys.

In one of these frequent battles really hammered by one of the guards of the castle, which then decided to check out local school Judo, that's all! Yo was there and I joined in the act.

The Beginning of an Aikido Odyssey.

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

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

Ellis Sensei class was always filled to overflowing, and training was always difficult, but I enjoyed it and found that seemed to fit naturally to this new martial art of Aikido.

Q-DW: Sensei, you said at the beginning of this interview that "I made a brief departure in 1959," What you mean a start soon?

A-SE: Well, what happened was, I had a very serious accident on my motorcycle and my injuries were serious.
I was on crutches for three months.
I made a slow but good recovery and eventually returned 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 watch something.
I soon realized that something was me, and to my surprise Sensei Ellis was smashing me all over the mat, as he threw me I just kept bouncing up.
Then he said to Sensei Williams;
"Sensei, have you ever seen anyone ukemi like that before?"
Sensei Williams then took me in nikyo, a painful wrist lock technique I seemed to hold for a long time before letting up.
He looked at Sensei Ellis and said, "It's only a beginner give him time."
Sensei Ellis replied: "You told me to take an assistant, that's it!"
Sensei Williams looked annoyed and sharply replied, "No! An aide must be 3rd kyu or higher "
Sensei Ellis was persistent and eventually got his way, of course I was not involved in this discussion. As Sensei Williams walked away Sensei Ellis then asked me to be his assistant.
He said he had a week to decide, as I walked away Sensei Ellis said "Derek! It has an option by the way, let me know at the end of the class. "
I become Assistant Sensei Ellis.

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

A-SE: I was the only junior assistant at the time. I also used by all the other instructors which was hard for me but also gave me a broader 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 that there was a very cruel streak to his nature, which goes beyond strict discipline.
It was also my responsibility to open the dojo on Sunday mornings ready for all the higher grades.
In the winter would have to light three paraffin heaters, two of whom were in the locker room.
While they were warming up I then sweep the frost off the tatami.
I remember a winter Sunday morning I arrived early and after a few minutes later Sensei Ellis.
He said "Derek, who sweeps the carpet and I light fires for you"
I am pleased about that, after a while Sensei Ellis came out of the locker room closing the door behind him and said
"Keep that door closed Derek will help to warm the damp gi's" (training suits).
Well, all students and teachers left their gi hanging from the rafters. Sensei was very cold and I started to practice to try to warm up, then about 30 minutes later John Caldwell and some students arrived. When you open the wardrobe door the smoke just stood out. Everyone was coughing and choking, we that the place was in flames.
There was a fire, but Sensei Ellis had not trimmed the wicks heater. This then caused the fire to billow out all the smoke and soot, the gi were in ruins.
Sensei Williams then arrived and demanded to know who was responsible, he looked at Sensei Ellis who without saying word looked at me and pointed his finger in my direction.
After a tough few words Sensei Williams made me do 200 push-ups in the back of the dolls as punishment. Some called for new gi and others wanted to have its own punishment.
Some time passed before he was pardoned.

Q-DW: It seems difficult to be a wizard, surely there must have been some advantages to be had?

A-SE: As an assistant who did not have to pay a fee of matting and training nearly every day.
This was a great advantage that I was an apprentice engineer and did not earn much money.
He also continued with Judo and Karate classes. I also trained with Sensei Tomio Otani and I would be uke for all Dan grades in the hut.

I do not like walking!

Q-DW: Were there other participants or was it unique?

A-DE: For about 9 months I was the only one, and then Ken Waite as an 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 was a very talented student with immense natural ability, which was soon promoted junior assistant to Sensei K Williams and Trevor and I shared the dojo responsibilities together and we became very good friends.
Trevor had a big problem, which had poor habit of upsetting Sensei Ellis, and there were many times that Sensei had to solve, and on several occasions when Trevor complained about Sensei Ellis's driving.
Sensei stop the car and throw him out wherever we were. He did drive too fast, but never complained because they do not like walking.

Lady Baden Powell almost fainted.

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

A-SE: I I got to travel, but not on the scale of Sensei Ellis and Williams.
Sensei Williams had just made Sensei Ellis responsible for carrying out displays on his own and took first party in West Drayton.
We did it over the years however, there are two that are most memorable, I know this story is told in Sensei Ellis article "Fighting Arts International" magazine.
Abbe Sensei told us that this display was as important as Lady Baden Powell and Ambassador of Japan were among the public, and Lady Baden Powell expected to promote martial arts in his youth foundation groups internationally.
Sensei Ellis was standing behind stage near the Japanese ambassador and Sensei Otani when I thought that a man had insulted Sensei Otani Judo.
There was an altercation between men and Ellis Judo Sensei I'm not sure what happened outside the site, but man Judo go to the next stage as he should have.
Suddenly we heard the announcement and introduction "Harry Ellis assistant national coach Sensei" being called out.
We ran on stage and as I was lying in the first technique my cigarettes and matches fell from the folds of my gi.
Sensei went mad and immediately struck me, and around the mat.
His aggression demanded a response, also became angry and fought back, every attack was real.
I tried very hard to do with the club, without success. Then, when it was a knife, really I thought you had when the knife plunged into the folds of his gi.
Sensei gasped but still took me in detention, as he I laughed and I lifted my head off the mat Lady Baden Powell was looking at me with horror in her face.
I just knew there and then she had burned. Lady Baden Powell said Abbe Sensei "That was the most horrific displays of violence that I witnessed, not for my children" ..

A meeting with the Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.

Q-DW: You said that there were two occasions?

A-SE: We had a really big screen at the Crystal Palace in a Championship Budo Judo, which always begins with a screen but have a bad temper Sensei always got to have a battle of some sort, it was no different.
The great master of Karate Tatsuo Suzuki, who had just now watching us, as we finished, he approached us and looked very serious, I was glad Sensei was in front of me ..
As Sensei crossing point of the mat Suzuki Sensei approached him and said.
"Thank you, it's the best display of Aikido I've ever seen," then bowed and walked away.

Impressions of teachers early HUT.

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

A-SE: I mention the highest grade below.

Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

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

Ken Williams Sensei.

Sensei K Williams the head of the dojo did not use as much as others.
He was in total control of the dojo and all who were in it.
He was not only aikido but 3 judo and give a very good at it. He officiated as referee in the U.S. Air Base at Ruislip, once was a referee at the International Judo Championship USAF.
We would get a large number of American students come to train at the shelter in our beginner classes.

David Williams Sensei.

David was in charge Karate section before the arrival of Harada Sensei, I enjoyed my regular practice with Ken Griffiths, and later Ken Waite who became assistant Harada Sensei first European.
However, David Williams, in my opinion had a very cruel streak to his character. Williams and Ellis and others who teach as Abbe Sensei did with a shinai. We used a mild form of intimidation to motivate a person with a small blow in the back to get his attention. This would be done with a smile and sense of humor and no one objected to this form of discipline gay.
Now with David Williams, he meant it!, And seemed to enjoy it.
I leave it as I do not want to dwell on this issue. Closed!.

Eric Dollimore Sensei.

Eric was only 5ft 5in tall and more dynamic exponent Aikido dojo in the Hut.
What I remember most of Eric was one Sunday morning when he was practicing at the bottom of the dojo with some of the degrees high kyu.
There was some action taking place at the top of the mat with the dan grades, Eric had a very hard technical knock him deeply Ellis on the mat. Then he excused himself by saying "Sorry, I have to go, I have to be my friends for lunch at 12-00 noon."
Ellis got up from the couch and I could see he was not happy, Eric had already left the mat.
Ellis shouted "Eric really want to fight?"
Eric responded, "What Sorry Harry, I really do not I have time. "
Ellis returned to other dan grades, probably satisfied with Eric excuse. It was then when I saw Eric back out the locker room without his hakama and shouted:
"OK Harry!! But we must be" fast.
Both immediately squared up to each other in posture, after a few seconds Ellis made what seemed a terrible blow on the head of Eric, Eric Ellis returned under the best Koshi waza technique I've seen the release of Ellis in and through the partition gypsum board office.
Sensei Williams was sitting in the office when Ellis joined him as he walked directly through wall.
As Ellis sat dusty gypsum board, Eric yelling "See, I've got to go I'm late for dinner."
I've always said that it was like something out of the movies.

Haydn Foster Sensei.

It was a little larger than the rest of us and was regarded with respect and affection. His favorite technique was irimi nage as he puts it down hard that was always well aware of his hoarse laughter after allowing stunned.

Henry (Harry) Ellis Sensei.

Henry Ellis was my teacher and is continually referred to in this interview.

There is a story I have ever seen in print that I will tell.
In the sixties we learned of another group were doing Aikido in north London with a well-known Japanese professor named Senta Yamada Judo. He was teaching a style that had never Aikido heard of called "Tomiki" to decide to go and check them out.
All dan grades gathered in the hut one night and we started this Tomiki dojo. Just did not know what to expect. When we respectfully entered their dojo. Sensei Williams spoke with the instructor in charge and asked if she could practice. The instructor said, "NO!, I'm sorry, but the wear hakama and not allow them to"
Sensei Williams replied: "That's okay let's go practice without the hakama "
The teacher thought for a moment and replied: "I still can not allow the practice as they are an organization different from us "
Sensei Ellis was then pushed forward and said: "Organisations are names on paper, Aikido is Aikido"
The instructor had none of it and politely asked us to leave.
We were not happy with this, so I then went into a nearby bar after about an hour was to come in the pub, you guessed it Dave, all students and the instructor.
We got to chat with students and were very good lads. A big guy who was a 1st kyu made the mistake of asking Sensei Ellis what our nikyo era.
He said it was his favorite technique, when I tried it Sensei Ellis, nothing happened. He made another mistake, asked Sensei to show him our style, Sensei was about to put in the basement pub.
The guy could not belt Brown believe this and asked his teacher who was talking to Sensei Williams. He told him what had just taken place and insisted that his instructor to try make this technique in Sensei Ellis.
Sensei Ellis offered his arm and the instructor agreed to try. The instructor could not do anything, then stated
"I can not move because you are making the arm of stone, if I also make the ARM Stone'll break your arm like a twig"
Ellis Sensei insisted that his arm made of stone, so he tried the type and the truth was not different from the first attempt.
So! as it was making the arm of stone, Sensei Ellis took a pint of beer and drinks at one time while the guy was trying to break your arm!
The boy looked gutted.

Sensei and Peter Lennie Ballard Dowden Sensei.

There were inseparable and were really great friends that would make most of the knives and club shows. I would replace ladies' classes. HUT left shortly after Eric Dollimore.

Sensei John Caldwell.

John was an electrician who worked with Sensei Williams.
Not only was a first dan in aikido, but also a sparring partner and semi professional boxer. He argued with some notable fighters such as former world championships Terry and Terry Downs Spinks who were world champions in their own weight.
John once took me to the 'Thomas Becket, a training gym for boxers above a popular pub London. That was a special gift for a young man like me, like many famous UK and U.S. boxers had trained there.
I also remember that once when John was doing some training run was attacked by a big Alsatian dog went after him. John turned as the dog lunged at him. He gave a hard kick in the dog, kicking straight into the throat and died instantly.
A bit different to the experience of Abbe Sensei with an Alsatian, but no less inevitable.

Sensei Hamish McFarlane.

He was older and high-level for me was also a good judoka. He was a 1st kyu (brown belt) in Aikido when I started without But ended up taking our dan grade test about four years later.
When I received my first dan, Sensei Ellis as tradition demanded gave me my first black belt and hakama was a very good quality.
No one knew where Hamish got his hakama. Ellis spread the rumor that the hakama Franco was a department and army blanket was a heavy material and traditional wrinkle-free. That joke did not let Hamish, and I even laughed with Sensei Foster about recently (July 2003).
Hamish had a thing that very few knew. The first time I asked if he could join the class Aikido Sensei told Williams that the doctor had told him within 12 months confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of a serious condition with his spine. Began Aikido, and practiced until his death at 60. He also went to Japan and trained in Aiki-Kai. I recently heard the sad news that Hamish died a while ago.

The former give classifications.

Q-DW: How does the classification system of the first days in the shelter with some who have seen in recent years?.

A-SE: The classification of ritualized procedures were not as technically as today.
When, in the shelter, sorting would be very physical with the constant attack of 100%, no one got through a classification without some lumps.
I think most of Dan grades age agree that 3rd kyu (green belt) was always the hardest, considered by Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei to be the transition grade between beginner and high grade and his first step as an assistant professor.
It was also the first classification in which the attack had to take a real knife. When it was my first time Williams Sensei asked me "Are you willing to accept real knife" I said "Yeah, but I really wanted to say NO.
Eric Dollimore put before me with a big knife in his left hand, I froze.
Sensei Williams said "Derek you forgot Eric is left-handed" and then told Eric to attack with his right and then left.
When I took my first dan, what stands out most in my mind was how tired I was when I came. I had been uke for all other grades and to be honest I do not know how I got through it all. I just wanted to get it all at once.
I took Hamish with tenchi nage really positive and hammered into the mat. Nakazono Sensei said he was very pleased with the final technical and they awarded me first.

-------------------------

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

A-SE: I've always been fortunate that not only have I received personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all the grades given above.
I also think that being an assistant instructor to the beginner class from 7th to 4th kyu, I had the opportunity to form a good relationship with the practice of select small group of students who later became the whole second generation of "Hut dan grades."
The group consisted of people like Ron James over 6 feet tall and about 250 pounds 5ins seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He never took into account and never gave me any leeway at all well it was very hard but very good to train with this giant of a man.
He would not "go" for anyone so it was always a challenge for me.
Ron was a good friend and brother in law to another grade Dan Allen, Andy, who was assistant to Sensei Foster.
Sensei Ellis and I used to bring young visitors the dojo area. Andy, who was the eldest of the students in all of us was a very dry and austere man.
I told him "Andy, she is beautiful is not it" and provided I met him I always received the same response gloomy
"Huh! All are welcome until they marry them!". Andy was one of my colleagues regular training.

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

I received the first grade just before they became 21 years of age. At the same time he had just finished my training as an engineer.
It was when Sensei Ellis asked Sensei Williams and I travel to and spread the "gospel" of Aikido. We were the "early disciples as he it said.
Although aikido had started to spread a little, there are areas that were not aware of this new martial art.

My beloved "Isetta" bubble car that I had pushed to its limits, had finally BURST!
It had to be dumped. Fortunately, at the same time, Sensei Ellis had just bought a one year old Mini car which was in those days the "business."
So looking at the car and the prospects of aikido and travel and some amorous adventures agreed with the march.

Rat attack.

Q-DW: Sensei I have read and enjoyed stories of his travels from his perspective, is there anything you would like to add that were also part of that experience.

A-SE: At this point, Henry and I had become good friends outside the dojo, but on the mat still give deference, and that's how it always has been until today.

The first dojo we visited was in Nottinghamshire and directed by George Cotterell, where they were employees for a short time.
Mr. Cotterell Chihuahua breed dogs that must have been about 50 or 60 of what Henry calls covered rats.
These dogs were in the yard paved. The toilet only stood at the back of the patio, next to the funeral home.
At night the door was locked so the only way to go to the bathroom was through this dog-filled patio.
One night he had just returned from a good night at the local pub and Henry went straight to bed while I stayed in a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs Cotterell.
After about an hour, Henry left the room wearing only his jeans with no socks or shoes and ran across the yard to go to the bathroom (which is something to drink strong beer in the North).
He did it before the dogs can bite your ankles. We have heard much commotion and looked out the window to see all these dogs barking at the door of vanity and emotion were doing their "business."
Henry was trying to open the door and see all the dogs and the mess they realized they had no shoes.
Mrs Cotterell and me were in total hysterics at what was happening. Henry was screaming for me to carry out their shoes, but with North ale inside me I felt brave and ignored him and enjoyed the fun.
Seeing him run in the fields Mine was like a scene from a Jerry Lewis movie. As she ran screaming threats of serious physical abuse of me.
Shortly after that we had problems with the head on the photos I had taken the coffins as told in the "fight against the Arts International" magazine. We lost our jobs as funeral attendants and now we were on the road again for more adventure.
Visiting dojos and martial arts clubs, schools and any place that allowed us show a little of our Aikido in the hope that we were going to ask for more.
In those days in the North there was much work to be had at any time, so would take any job offered to us and say that ANY job.
They include general labor and construction worker, also working as pawns in Britain's first motorway the M1. Funeral, sweepers, cesspit cleaning, steel mill worker, deckchair attendants, photographers face to the beach, the painters. The worst job of all was the "train", which was slave labor and hated him, which only lasted a few days.
This is how it happened the day. At night we seriously promoting spend that much time Aikido, including Saturday and Sunday, in what we consider successful attempts spread and encourage the continued expansion "Abbe schools Budo."

The market Hut!

A-SE: David, I want to go back on this point if it's okay with you, I want to mention an unforgettable character, who had a bad start with the Sensei Ellis and later became a close friend both of us - a man named George Stavro.
On the night George made his first appearance in the hut was about 30 minutes before Sensei Ellis.
I was on the ropes busy taking preparation exercise. George is Greek and a trader, he entered the dojo with two large suitcases and within minutes had clothes on the screen the entire area reception.
I was not taking notice too much as I thought it must have previously agreed to do this with one of the senior instructors.
It was then When Harry came just as George was getting into his sales pitch with two students who were awaiting permission to go to the mat. This is the only time I've heard of Harry swear in the dojo.
Henry shouted, "What the # # # # do you think is happening here, what do you think this is the day Bangladesh market? "
He threw the bags in the dojo door in the rain, with George encryption around to get their goods together and put everything back in your car.
George then returned to the dojo with a big smile on his face as if nothing had happened and asked what was going on in this room, I explained that we were doing Aikido classes.
Again the following week with about 8 of his friends joined.
George was a very big man and made a street fighter and became the one for me to train with.

Not earn much money by being an apprentice engineer, George was older than me and took me under his wing early and quickly I got caught in their nefarious activities which included a very profitable business of delivering Matute black market for all Indian restaurants in West London.
Henry was angry for my participation until they are involved, and are also known all contracts for the decoration of the restaurant.
We worked on the door of some from restaurants and from that day we have ever had as many curries as we could eat and never had to pay.

George became a favorite of Kazuo Chiba Sensei and is now a third dan, George was a brown belt when he left to join HUT Sensei Ellis's dojo in Slough in 1968, and can be seen in some pictures with Mr. Jack Poole, who was a beginner at that time. George reminds him very well and was actually signed it in when he joined.

We could write a book about adventures we had together.
George was in my wedding and dance the Zorba full glass of water over his head, my family still talk about it now.

Relocate and out of the hut.

Q: DW.

Sensei, You told me before that this was all the time they married and moved from the shelter and the locality. Could you expand at this time.

A: SE. Yes, after I married I moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire.
My work involved many trips as I was working on drilling platforms, gas extraction in the English Channel just off the River Humber.
I also take the opportunity to visit local clubs Aikido and train whenever possible.
He later found work closer to home, in 1969, I renewed my contact and friendship with Trevor Jones, who had also married and living in Camberley Surrey just 10 miles from my house.
He said he had just opened a new dojo at Hotel Hawley. Now he was working as a waiter plane and asked me to take care of his dojo and teach when I was in long-haul flights, I agreed.
In my opinion, Aikido Trevor had moved permanently at a higher speed, but technical training and was still fairly traditional, had by far the most powerful aiki movement of any person who known as the Japanese.

The dojo later moved from the hotel to Brookwood Hawley, with two good students Cashmore Mike and Colin Relph Participants also Wasil remember Kolenkisov training there as a beginner, later joined Sensei Ken Williams as his assistant. In early 1969 I opened "The Aikido Club Basingstoke "I still occasionally help Trevor who had moved to a purpose built dojo at the Budokan" Frimley. "Unfortunately, Trevor Later he had some health problems and the dojo was run then by my old friend Andy Allen from the hut with the help of John Harding, who still practices today and we are still contact. With Trevor I can go back to visit many dojos including Sensei K Williams, who had left the hut and was now in Rhonnda Valley in Wales. I also visited the hut which was now being run by Sensei Haydn Foster, I've always been very positive.

Aikido visits to Europe.

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

A: SE. Sure, it was the day. Trevor and I were visiting Paris Noro Sensei in Aiki-Kai. Noro Sensei was very happy to see us, and on my first visit surprised me by giving me give 2 which was unusual because it was not a regular student, never charged me by gradings or lessons.
Noro Sensei reminded me of my time at the shelter in one of his visits, where Sensei Williams recommends that you should only do backward ukemi (break falling) until his next visit in two weeks time, Sensei Williams said he would punish me with a shinai if I was surprised to doing ukemi Later, however Noro did not visit in two weeks, but after 4 months, who had by this time adapted to some amazing breakfalls from all angles, except forward.
Noro Sensei Williams asked in amazement, "Why Mr. Eastman breakfalling so strange."
When was informed that it was as a result of his instruction, only laughed out loud. Then he said this was very similar to an experience he had with then Osensei said the experience would not hurt me anyway.

Q: DW. If you still in touch with Sensei Ellis at this time

A: SE. Yes I had always maintained regular contact with Harry Ellis, visiting their dojos whenever possible Bracknell and Slough dojo, would also meet socially with our families.
It was at this time Harry's business was expanding and could not keep all their dojos. He gave his dojos London Chiba Sensei, and his Slough dojo to George Stavro was later to give the mats to a student who had helped him, a man named Jack Poole.
My own work was now taking me back to Europe. When in Belgium I visited Sensei Pierre Nassens dojo. I often visited Leiage where there were 6 different Aikido clubs, and in the true spirit of Aikido and the harmony that seemed to hate each other and not communicating.
I liked a dojo through which was run by Sensei C Van Parys who had attended the most dynamic swordsman ever to teach Aikido, Sensei Murashagi, very sadly died later 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 many of the old-time aikidoists in the hut, you know of those who are still involved in aikido? And you're still in contact with any of these people?

A: SE. From this date in 2003, only a few which are still involved and teaching Aikido and I am in contact from time to time with some of them.
Sensei Ken Williams, founder of the HUT Judo dojo and chief instructor, who was the first student to study Aikido in the UK, and is now the head of the Ki Aikido Federation of Great Britain.
Sensei Haydn Foster, who is still at the Cabin and head of the Institute of Aikido.
Sensei Henry Ellis who is head of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.
Sensei Ralph Reynolds, who was a frequent visitor to the hut the 50/60s, who is now the head of the Aikido Fellowship.
Sensei George Stavro that is associated with several dojos and still linked to Chiba Sensei.
Sensei Les White is the head of the Ryu Traditional Aikido. Weather takes its toll on those who knew and respected.

The British Aikido Board and the Martial Arts Commission.

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

A: SE. I had talked with Jim Elkin of the great Tomiki group, who suggested I join the Martial Arts Commission members in a group of traditional Aikido.
I agreed to this, but contact with the head of this group and present our credentials including copies of my dan grade certificates signed by himself O'Sensei, my first impression was that it would be well received and was informed that they would pay my dojo a visit, gladly agreed to this, and said it would be a pleasure to welcome you and train with me, only to be told not to come on the tatami (mats), said they would assess my level, while sitting outside the mat.
I refused the offer, I said that I can meet him once in a mat, but not as fellow practitioners.

I thanked Mr. Elkin for his help and support, and said he would not join the traditional group. I liked Jim Elkin and always found Eustace and his partner Brian Tomiki group very helpful during our membership of the Martial Arts Commission (MAC).
It also helped us achieve the full standard coaching MAC technician.

In relaying this story below Kenetsuka Minoru Sensei when I visited him in the Cardiff Aiki-Kai. I asked for copies of my certificates O'Sensei by signing them. Later I learned he had used what I had said, and certificates to exit the British Aikido Board, at that time the MAC, saying there O'Sensei recognized as the founder of Aikido.
Sensei Ken Williams had left the BAB / MAC for similar reasons.

A few years later I was approached by a BAB member of the MAC, a Mr Ted Stratton, who I fondly remember as the creator of the "power of the elbow in Aikido that I still use.
Stratton Sensei is sadly dead and most respected figure Aikido.
Then I responded with Paula Mitchell of the MAC and the use of criteria required at the time he joined the MAC / BAB.
One of the criteria that must be our own organization and title. I remembered that many years before Sensei Williams had met his teacher calling the HUT dojo "Abbe School of Judo."
I decided to approach Sensei Ellis and asked his permission to use your name for our organization, I am pleased to say that he agreed. Then our organization called "The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido."
Sensei Ellis re-opened the dojo Bracknell and we were again one!

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.

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