The Date Section, News & Activities are open to all Members, Friends
& Associates. If you would like to add your forthcoming event/s, or
information on the monthly newsletter, please send in the details
(if by email; please paste onto email, no attachments). NB: Received
information is correct at time of printing; please inform us if the
information requires updating.
Disclaimer
The following information may be subject to change without prior
notice, and whilst every attempt is made to keep the Date Section up
to date, events may change at any time.
Please confirm with the relevant event organiser before travelling.

15/11/06 Karate England AGM. Cancelled.
19/11/06 SUNDAY 19th Southern Open Series Martial Arts
Tournament. Venue - Farnborough 6th form college, Prospect Avenue,
Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8JX. Doors open at -11.15am Kata begins
at 12.00. Fighting begins at 12.30pm. More details contact Paul
Elliott 6th Dan Tel: 01403-218327. Email: semka@...

25/11/06
Wadokai Southwest Yudan Shinsa. Open to all AIWa/DKW Members
who are following the DKW's Grade Syllabus Requirements. Venue:
Pomphlett Methodist Centre. Time: 9am–12pm. Written examination; 9-
10.30am. Practical examination; 10.30am-12pm. Chief Examiner GE
Swift 7th Dan. Applications to be in at least one month prior to
grading date. Details from Gary E Swift 7th Dan. Tel: 01752-
493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@...
Find us on: www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/
MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: SHODAN: From 1st Kyu to 1st Dan/Kohai-
Shodan = 9 months. NIDAN: From 1st Dan to 2nd Dan = 24 months.
SANDAN: From 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan = 36 months. YODAN: From 3rd Dan to
4th Dan = 48 months. GODAN: From 4th Dan to 5th Dan = 60 months.
NB: AIWa Application must also be accompanied by the required
Standardisation/Wado Course Training History Sheet. Minimum
requirements: 3 Courses for 1st Dan, 6 Courses for 2nd Dan, and 9
Courses for 3rd Dan, etc. For further details please refer to the
AIWa Constitution. DKW Wado-ryu Standardisations are also held every
Tuesday nights at the weekly Advanced Training sessions at the
Pomphlett Dojo.
Application forms available from your Club Instructor or from the
AIWa Licensing Office. You can also download an application form
from our website: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Alliance-of-
International-Wadoryu/ For information on FREE Full and Associate
Membership, please contact the AIWa President Gary E Swift 7th Dan.
Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@... Find
us on: www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/

26/11/06
Wadokai England Instructor Course. Directed towards all
Group Heads and Instructors. Seminar will also include requirements
for Wadokai England's Yudan Shinsa Syllabus. Venue: Walsall College
Campus. Cost: £20. Time: 12-4pm. Instructor: Sakagami Kuniaki (7th
Dan) Honbucho.

30/11/06 St. Andrew's Day – Eccosse (Scotland).

02/12/06
Roffey Wadokai Course. Instructor: Gary E Swift (7th Dan)
Kyoshi. Time: 10-11am Juniors Tanto-Dori-no-kata. 11-1pm Seniors Tai-
Sabaki and Kata/Kata Bunkai. Yudan Shinsa 2pm. For further details
please contact Phil Smith 4th Dan. Email: wadoguard-
roffeykarate@...

03/12/06 Roffey Wadokai Yudan Shinsa. 10am-1pm Yudan Shinsa.
For further details please contact Phil Smith 4th Dan. Email:
wadoguard-roffeykarate@...

03/12/06
SUNDAY 2nd SEMKA General Training Course. Open to all grades
covering Basic, Blocks, Kata. An ideal warm up to anyone taking
gradings this month. At Tanbridge School 10am-1pm £10 Seniors £7
Juniors. More details contact Paul Elliott 6th Dan 01403218327
semka@...

08/12/06 Fighters Inc present "Fight Night UK". Eurosport's
Will Vanders has long been campaigning for a "British Fight Program.
Their existing programming contains arguably the best of the
international fight scene available, K-1 and Pride etc. However,
British fighters and events have been under represented. It has
taken over two years to have that addressed at Eurosport and it has
been a long hard slog for Vanders convincing his principles that:
Fightsport could rate alongside other established sports that there
would be enough interest (viewers and support) for a British focused
program. As a result of the huge success of Fightclub, Will has been
working in close conjunction with Fighters Inc on this project.
Succeeding with a pilot program called Fightnight UK which is to get
its first airing on 8th December Friday night at 7.30pm to be
repeated on the 15th December at midnight. The program sets out to
draw the best fights from many different national and international
events in all the genres thus allowing promoters with events on many
levels to contribute. This is merely a stepping stone to bringing a
monthly magazine. However its success is dependant on viewing
figures. Vander's and Fighters Inc believe that this is probably the
best chance we have for a decent platform for the UK fight scene and
will need a lot of support from the community to ensure that it
survives. The program hopes to include many of the major UK and
European fight events such as the Pain and Glory from the NEC
Birmingham. The 10k Karate Clash, The British Kyokushin Karate
Knockdown tournament from the National Sports Centre Crystal Palace,
Masters of the Mat (Mixed Martial Arts), Urban Gorillas, 10K Ground
Clash and top Muay Thai shows such as Muay Thai Legends. Bringing
the top British fighting names back to a UK audience such as Pete
Crooke (Superleague Champion), Shaun Keddle, Liam "Hitman" Harrison
(Wako-Pro World Champion), Richard Cadden (WPMF World champion) Leon
Walters (World Karate Champion) and Paul Newby World Karate Champion
turned pro boxer plus many more. All British stars on the
international circuit and ready for TV on Fight Night UK! So we ask
you to SUPPORT YOUR SPORT and watch Fight Night UK on British
Eurosport on Friday the 8th of December at 7.30pm UK time and please
send in your POSITIVE comments to ukcomms@.... Another
Fighters Inc Experience: www.fightersinc.net www.senishow.com For
further information contact Joe Long 01375-650833/07961-867501.
Email: joe@...

09/12/06 SATURDAY 9th SEMKA Pre Dan Grading Training Session
at Shin Ichi Do Club, Hut 15, Tilgate Recreation Centre, Crawley
10am-1pm. Price £10.00 Seniors £7.00 Juniors. More details contact
Paul Elliott 6th Dan 01403218327 semka@...

10/12/06
SUNDAY 10th SEMKA Dan Gradings. 9am to 2pm Horsham Karate
Club Tanbridge School More details contact Paul Elliott 6th Dan
01403218327 semka@...

15/12/06 Fighters Inc present "Fight Night UK" Eurosport's
Will Vanders has long been campaigning for a "British Fight Program.
Their existing programming contains arguably the best of the
international fight scene available, K-1 and Pride etc. However,
British fighters and events have been under represented. It has
taken over two years to have that addressed at Eurosport and it has
been a long hard slog for Vanders convincing his principles that:
Fightsport could rate alongside other established sports that there
would be enough interest (viewers and support) for a British focused
program. As a result of the huge success of Fightclub, Will has been
working in close conjunction with Fighters Inc on this project.
Succeeding with a pilot program called Fightnight UK which is to get
its first airing on 8th December Friday night at 7.30pm to be
repeated on the 15th December at midnight. The program sets out to
draw the best fights from many different national and international
events in all the genres thus allowing promoters with events on many
levels to contribute. This is merely a stepping stone to bringing a
monthly magazine. However its success is dependant on viewing
figures. Vander's and Fighters Inc believe that this is probably the
best chance we have for a decent platform for the UK fight scene and
will need a lot of support from the community to ensure that it
survives. The program hopes to include many of the major UK and
European fight events such as the Pain and Glory from the NEC
Birmingham. The 10k Karate Clash, The British Kyokushin Karate
Knockdown tournament from the National Sports Centre Crystal Palace,
Masters of the Mat (Mixed Martial Arts), Urban Gorillas, 10K Ground
Clash and top Muay Thai shows such as Muay Thai Legends. Bringing
the top British fighting names back to a UK audience such as Pete
Crooke (Superleague Champion), Shaun Keddle, Liam "Hitman" Harrison
(Wako-Pro World Champion), Richard Cadden (WPMF World champion) Leon
Walters (World Karate Champion) and Paul Newby World Karate Champion
turned pro boxer plus many more. All British stars on the
international circuit and ready for TV on Fight Night UK! So we ask
you to SUPPORT YOUR SPORT and watch Fight Night UK on British
Eurosport on Friday the 8th of December at 7.30pm UK time and please
send in your POSITIVE comments to ukcomms@.... Another
Fighters Inc Experience: www.fightersinc.net www.senishow.com For
further information contact Joe Long 01375-650833/07961-867501.
Email: joe@...

15/12/06
Hakutsuru Karate Course & Kyu Grading. Venue: Hakutsuru
Karate, Snoxhall Centre, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey. Time: 7-
8.30pm. Price of Grading £10 includes Belt & Personalised
Certificate upon a pass. Further details: Ian Hunter (6th Dan)
Renshi. 01428-685093. Find us on:
www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/

16/12/06
SATURDAY 16th SEMKA Pre Grading Training Session at Shin
Ichi Do Club, Hut 15, Tilgate Recreation Centre, Crawley 10am-1pm.
Price £10.00 Seniors £7.00 More details contact Paul Elliott 6th Dan
01403218327 semka@... Juniors.

16/12/06
Wadokai Southwest Annual Awards & Christmas Party. DKW
Awards for Wadokai Southwest Clubs & Members. Open to all DKW &
Wadokai-SW members and families. Venue: Chaddlewood Farm Community
Centre, Plympton, Devon. Time: 2-6pm. Disco 2-4pm. Awards &
Refreshments 4-6pm. Price: £2 per person on the door. Wadokai
Southwest Clubs include: Plymstock School of Karate, Chaddlewood
Karate Club, Pomphlett Karate Club, and Riviera Karate Club. Awards
will also include AIWa Annual Presentations. Event will include:
Buffet, Bar, Disco, and DKW & AIWa Awards. Due to this being a
family friendly environment there will be no smoking at this venue
(however, smoking is permitted in the Social Club Bar next door).

17/12/06
Wadokai Southwest Open Winter Course. Price: £10 on door
(FREE TRAINING for up-to-date AIWa Licence holders (DKW & Wadokai
Southwest Full Members)). Please bring AIWa/DKW Licence for proof of
membership for free training.
Instructor; Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Time; 10am-1pm. Elements:
Tanto-dori-no-kata (knife defence), Muto-dori-no-kata (sword
defence). Please bring Boken or 3½ foot broom handle/equivalent.
Venue: Plymstock School of Karate. Plymstock School, Church Road,
Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon. PL9 9AZ. For further details, please
contact: Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Tel 01752-493210. Email:
aiwashihan@...

17/12/06
SUNDAY 17th SEMKA Kyu Grading at Horsham Karate Club
Tanbridge School 9.30am to 12.30pm. More details contact Paul
Elliott 6th Dan 01403218327 semka@...

22/12/06
WINTER SOLSTICE. Also referred to as Yule, Jul, Saturnalia,
or even Christmas. This feast takes place on or about 21st or 22nd
of December each year and marks the longest, darkest night of the
year. This is a festival of peace and a celebration of waxing solar
light. Many honour the new Sun child by burning an oaken Yule log,
and honour the Goddess in her many Mother aspects. The Father God
also can be honoured as Santa Claus in his Old Sky God, Father Time,
and Holly King forms. Winter symbolises the time in the womb a deep
rejuvenate sleep, rather than nature's death.

22/12/06
FRIDAY 22nd SEMKA Annual awards training course,
demonstration and party 2006 All students from all the SEMKA Groups
or clubs are welcome as there will be at least two winners from each
club. To be held at Horsham Karate Club, Tanbridge School, Guildford
Road, Horsham. From 6.30-9pm. All SEMKA Students seniors and
juniors, all grades welcome. Food and soft drinks afterwards. Please
bring food and drink to share. Thank You. Seniors £6.00 (£5.00 if
with a child that trains. Junior £4.00 two children in the same
family £3.00 each). Note all Students & Instructors must wear a
Gladwish sponsor badge More details contact Paul Elliott 6th Dan
01403218327 semka@...

25/12/06 YULE. Yule is from old Germanic, 'Jul', meaning 'to
turn,' and referred to the phenomenon of the sun 'turning' in the
sky three days after the winter solstice. To the ancients, seeing
the sun seem to sink lower in the sky each day through the long
autumn months must have been a frightening experience! What if the
sun simply disappeared beneath the horizon? What if the winter
continued indefinitely? It would mean the end of life for all
creatures. At the winter solstice, the sun seems to 'stand still' in
the sky for a couple of days. The word solstice literally means 'sun
standing'.
29/12/06
AIWa Open Tai-Jutsu Training Course. Instructor: David
Holtom 5th Dan. Venue: Snoxhall Centre, Snoxhall Fields, Knowle
Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey. Time; 7-9pm. Cost £6 per student.
What Is Tai Jutsu? Today's Tai(Body) Jutsu(Art/application) is
composed of a merging of nine schools making it a Self Defence that
is unsurpassed in its breadth and practicality and has a traceable
lineage of over 900 Years with a record of 34 Generations of Grand
Masters down to-days Grand master Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi.
Tai Jutsu is an art of movement, training concentrates on motion,
timing and distance and the effective use of the body in all
situations so it does not matter how strong or heavy or how small
you may be.
The Art is made up of a number of elements including:
• Junan Taiso Stretching and conditioning.
• Taihen Jutsu All forms of movement, including footwork,
evasions, balancing, leaping and rolling.
• Daken Jutsu Punching, Kicking Striking and blocking. This is
similar to Karate but has simpler, more circular movements.
• Jutai Jutsu Grappling, throwing and immobilization
techniques and easily learned escapes from holds. Here the art is
similar to Judo and Aikido but is much older and taught in a simpler
but subtler form.
There is no sporting competition or artificial fighting in our
training and we try to make every lesson different to the one before
so we can learn to apply our art to every possible circumstance.
A Martial Art is strongest in defence.
31/12/06 HOGMANAY. Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year,
celebrated on 31st December every year. Where did the word Hogmanay
come from? Various suggestions have been: Gaelic oge maidne ('new
morning'). Flemish combo of hoog ('high' or 'great'), min ('love'
or 'affection') and dag ('day'). Anglo-Saxon Haleg Monath ('Holy
Month'). Norman French word hoguinané ('gift at New Year').

2007

01/01/07
Wadokai England Affiliations Due. To re-affiliate for Full
and Associate Membership within the Wadokai England Karate-do
Federation, please send cheque for £50 (Full Membership) or £25
(Associate Membership) to GE Swift, WKE Gen. Sec. 57 South Hill,
Hooe, Plymouth, Devon. PL9 9PT. You can also contact the WKE General
Secretary, Gary E Swift, on: Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898. Email:
AIWaShihan@...

06/01/07
Wadokai England AGM. Details to follow.

14/01/07 AIWa Wado-ryu Standardisation Course Part 2.
Includes all Tai-sabaki of Sanbon-gumite, Ohyo-gumite, and Kihon-
gumite. Will also include the finalisation of Part 1 that was not
completed in the previous Standardisation Course. Instructor: Gary E
Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Venue: Tanbridge House School, Farthings
Hill, Guildford Road, Horsham. RH12 1SR. Time: 10am-2pm. Please
bring packed-lunch.

14/01/07 AIWa AGM. Venue: The Shelley Arms, Broadbridge
Heath, Sussex. RH12 3JU. Time: 3pm. Dress: Formal.

27 & 28/01/07
Wadokai England Dan Gradings. Details to follow.

29/01/07 Today, on the 29th of January 1982, Ohtsuka-Hironori
Meijin passed away at the age 89; he had practised martial-arts for
85 years.

01/02/07 IMBOLC. Imbolc is celebrated on or around February
1, Imbolc is also known as Oimelc, Brigid, Candlemas, or even in
America as Groundhog Day. This mid-winter feast day symbolises the
first stirring of the Earth from its icy sleep and was the time for
caring of the sheep in ancient Britain. In the Mother-Goddess
tradition, this day is the festival of the goddess Brigidm or
Brigantia, patroness of poetry, healing and metal-smiting, rekindles
the fire in the Earth, preparing it for new life.

27 & 28/02/07
Midlands Area Wadokai Course and Dan Gradings. More details
to follow.

01/03/07 St. David's Day – Cymru (Wales).

03/03/07 MALTA INTERNATIONAL KARATE OPEN. Saturday, 3rd MARCH
2007. Up to date information on website: www.sksm-karate-malta.com
Kindly insert in your agenda and hope to have you competing in
Malta's Biggest Karate Event! Let us have some feedback. Best
Regards, Chris Galea. SKSM KARATE MALTA. Organizing Committee.
www.sksm-karate-malta.com

05/03/07 St. Piran's Day – Kernow (Cornwall). St. Piran
(Welsh, Perran/Latin, Piranus/English, Piran). St. Piran is the most
popular of the Patron Saints of Cornwall (the others being St.
Michael and St. Petroc). His family origins are obscure, but the
tradition that he came from Ireland is extremely strong. Misguided
medieval hagiographers identified him with St. Ciaran of Saighir.
Though the two names are arguably the same, identification with St.
Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, whose father is said to have come from
Cornwall, is much more likely. Piran's father and mother are both
given Irish ancestries.

12/03/07 Commonwealth Day. The new 'politically correct' name
for Empire Day. Commonwealth Day is an annual event during which all
the fifty-four member countries of the Commonwealth celebrate their
links with one another. Commonwealth Day is held on the second
Monday in March, and the day is celebrated around the world – from
the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty The Queen, who issues a
special message, through Commonwealth Prime Ministers and Presidents
to the citizens of the Commonwealth, particularly school children.

17/03/07 St Patrick's Day – Eire (Ireland).

21/03/07 VERNAL EQUINOX. Vernal Equinox, also called Alban
Eiler, which means 'Light of the Earth,' the Vernal, or Spring,
Equinox takes place on or about March 21. An 'equinox' refers to the
time of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the Earth's
Equator, making night and day equal length all over the planet.
Crops were typically sown at this time, a time of transition. This
rare balance in nature represented a powerful time of magick to the
ancients.

24/03/07
Wadokai Southwest & DKW Black-belt Gradings. Venue: TBA.
Time: 9am–12pm. Written examination 9-10.30am. Practical 10.30am-
12pm. Chief Examiner GE Swift 7th Dan. Applications to be in at
least one month prior to grading date. Details from Gary E Swift 7th
Dan. Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@...
Find us on: www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/
MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: SHODAN: From 1st Kyu to 1st Dan/Kohai-
Shodan = 9 months. NIDAN: From 1st Dan to 2nd Dan = 24 months.
SANDAN: From 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan = 36 months. YODAN: From 3rd Dan to
4th Dan = 48 months. GODAN: From 4th Dan to 5th Dan = 60 months.
NB: AIWa Application must also be accompanied by the required
Standardisation/Wado Course Training History Sheet. Minimum
requirements: 3 Courses for 1st Dan, 6 Courses for 2nd Dan, and 9
Courses for 3rd Dan, etc. For further details please refer to the
AIWa Constitution.
Application forms available from your Club Instructor or from the
AIWa Licensing Office. You can also download an application form
from our website: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Alliance-of-
International-Wadoryu/ For information on FREE Full and Associate
Membership, please contact the AIWa President Gary E Swift 7th Dan.
Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@... Find
us on: www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/

30/03/07
Hakutsuru Karate Course & Kyu Grading. Venue: Hakutsuru
Karate, Snoxhall Centre, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey. Time: 7-
8.30pm. Price of Grading £10 includes Belt & Certificate upon a
pass. Further details: Ian Hunter (6th Dan) Renshi. 01428-685093.
Find us on: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Alliance-of-International-
Wadoryu/

08/04/07 Easter Sunday.

23/04/07 St George's Day – Angle Land (England).

01/05/07 Beltane. Beltane (pronounced Bee-YAWL-tinnuh)
Beltane, one of two Celtic fire festivals, is a celebration of the
return of life and fertility to the world, which takes place on
April 30th. It is sometimes referred to as Cetsamhain, which
means 'opposite Samhain.' In the Celtic countries the festival was
known by other names, such as Beltane in Ireland (which means in
Irish Gaelic 'May'), Bealtunn (which means in Scots-Gaelic 'May
Day') in Scotland, Shenn do Boaldyn on the Isle of Man and Galan Mae
in Cornwall and Wales. The Saxons called this day Walpurgisnacht,
the night of Walpurga, goddess of May.

01/06/07 The Birth of Ohtsuka Hironori (10th Dan) Meijin on
the 1st June in 1892.

24/06/07
Wadokai Southwest & DKW Open Summer Course. Price: £10 on
door (FREE TRAINING for up-to-date AIWa Licence holders (DKW &
Wadokai Southwest Full Members)). Please bring AIWa/DKW Licence for
proof of membership for free training.
Instructor; Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Time; 10am-1pm. Elements:
Tanto-dori-no-kata (knife defence), Muto-dori-no-kata (sword
defence). Please bring Boken or 3½ foot broom handle/equivalent.
Venue: Plymstock School of Karate. Plymstock School, Church Road,
Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon. PL9 9AZ. For further details, please
contact: Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Tel 01752-493210. Email:
aiwashihan@...

21/06/07
Litha is celebrated at the summer solstice, and marks yet
another major turning point in the solar year. At this time the Sun
is honoured at its peak of potency, though from this point until
Yule the year will be on the wane. Some traditions see the Sun as
the God, fierce and powerful, others see it as the mother Goddess
warming herself--the mother earth who is pregnant with the coming
harvest. It is customary at Litha to begin gathering summer herbs to
dry for wintertime use, and to re-enact battles between deities who
represent both the dark and light halves of the year.

01/07/07 Lammas Day! Traditionally called Lammas from the
Saxon word Half-mass, the Feast of Bread, this festival is also
known as Lughnasadh, Lughnasa (pronounced 'Loo-nahs-ah'), or First
Fruits, and is the feast of the god Lugh. Celebrated on August 1, it
coincides with the beginning of the harvest and signifies the death
of Bel, or the Corn King. The Corn King dies, to be later reborn, so
that the tribe may go into the winter months with sustenance plenty.
Another myth tells of the greedy Fomorian Earth-spirits that must be
persuaded to relinquish the fruits of the soil to humans. Litha
marks the division of the year and the peak power of the Sun. Just
as the light or waxing half of the year began at Winter Solstice
with the longest night, the dark or waning half begins now at Summer
Solstice with the longest day. Apollo gives way to Dionysus, Osiris
to Set, Baal to Mot, Jesus to St. John, the Oak King to the Holly
King, Sir Gawain to the Green Knight, and the rule of the Dark Lord
supersedes that of the Lord of Light over the wheel of the year.
Balance is maintained. Litha is a fire festival, one of the four
Esbats of the year.

07/07/07
Wadokai Southwest & DKW Summer Course - Celebrating 5-Year
Anniversary of Wadokai Southwest. Price: £10 on door (FREE TRAINING
for up-to-date AIWa Licence holders (DKW & Wadokai Southwest Full
Members)). Please bring AIWa/DKW Licence for proof of membership for
free training.
Instructor; Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Time; 10am-1pm. Elements:
Tanto-dori-no-kata (knife defence), Muto-dori-no-kata (sword
defence). Please bring Boken or 3½ foot broom handle/equivalent.
Venue: Plymstock School of Karate. Plymstock School, Church Road,
Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon. PL9 9AZ. For further details, please
contact: Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Tel 01752-493210. Email:
aiwashihan@...

21/09/06 MABON. The last Sabbat of the year, Mabon, is named
for the Welsh God who is called the 'great son.' This festival is
celebrated at the autumn equinox and marks the second of the three
harvests. Apple and berry harvesting, cemetery visitations, and wine
making are a central feature of this observance. In Welsh mythology,
Mabon was stolen from his mother when he was three days old and
taken to live in the dark underworld until rescued in the spring.
This myth underscores the fact that after this night of balance,
darkness emerges triumphant over the light, and will remain so until
Ostara.

30/09/07
Wadokai Southwest Yudan Shinsa. Open to all DKW Members.
Venue: Pomphlett Methodist Centre. Time: 9am–12pm. Written
examination; 9-10.30am. Practical examination; 10.30am-12pm. Chief
Examiner GE Swift 7th Dan. Applications to be in at least one month
prior to grading date. Details from Gary E Swift 7th Dan. Tel: 01752-
493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@... Find us on:
www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/
MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: SHODAN: From 1st Kyu to 1st Dan/Kohai-
Shodan = 9 months. NIDAN: From 1st Dan to 2nd Dan = 24 months.
SANDAN: From 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan = 36 months. YODAN: From 3rd Dan to
4th Dan = 48 months. GODAN: From 4th Dan to 5th Dan = 60 months.
NB: AIWa Application must also be accompanied by the required
Standardisation/Wado Course Training History Sheet. Minimum
requirements: 3 Courses for 1st Dan, 6 Courses for 2nd Dan, and 9
Courses for 3rd Dan, etc. For further details please refer to the
AIWa Constitution. DKW Wado-ryu Standardisations are also held every
Tuesday nights at the weekly Advanced Training sessions at the
Pomphlett Dojo.
Application forms available from your Club Instructor or from the
AIWa Licensing Office. You can also download an application form
from our website: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Alliance-of-
International-Wadoryu/ For information on FREE Full and Associate
Membership, please contact the AIWa President Gary E Swift 7th Dan.
Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898. Email: AIWaShihan@... Find
us on: www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/

03/11/07
Traditional Wado Kata Championships. Open to all Wado
Organisations, Clubs and individuals who practise 'traditional' Wado
Karate. Hosted by The Alliance of International Wado-ryu.
APPLICATIONS BEFORE 27th OCTOBER. Venue: Tanbridge School, Guildford
Road, Horsham, West Sussex. Book-in: WITH LICENCE, for proof of age
and insurance etc., 9.30am. (No more bookings after 10.15am).
10.30am. Eliminations. Categories for all ages and levels. Events:
Individual Kata, Team Kata. The official Kata for will consist of:
Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan. Ku-Shanku, Nai-Hanchi,
Seishan, Chinto. Due to location, it may be advised to bring a
packed-lunch/refreshments etc. For an Information Pack & Application
Form, please contact Paul Elliott 6th Dan. 54, Billingshurst Road,
Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex. RH12 3LW. Email:
semka@...
Also, for information on FREE AIWa Membership, please contact the
AIWa President Gary E Swift 7th Dan. Tel: 01752-493210/07719-773898.
Email: AIWaShihan@... Find us on:
http://www.geocities.com/aiwahonbu/ or
www.communigate.co.uk/twc/wadokaisouthwest/ Transport for AIWa
Southwest Members available – Please contact AIWa President.

15/12/07
Wadokai Southwest Open Winter Course. Price: £10 on door
(FREE TRAINING for up-to-date AIWa Licence holders (DKW & Wadokai
Southwest Full Members)). Please bring AIWa/DKW Licence for proof of
membership for free training.
Instructor; Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Time; 10am-1pm. Elements:
Tanto-dori-no-kata (knife defence), Muto-dori-no-kata (sword
defence). Please bring Boken or 3½ foot broom handle/equivalent.
Venue: Plymstock School of Karate. Plymstock School, Church Road,
Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon. PL9 9AZ. For further details, please
contact: Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi. Tel 01752-493210. Email:
aiwashihan@...