Sensei Brian Morrison 6th Dan Iaido and his two skilled students, Dale Sinclair 5th Dan and John Brooks 5th Dan, “opened” the day’s events by performing the ‘cutting the dojo’ ceremony in memory of Sensei Chris Hopkinson 3rd Dan Judo, whose smiling photograph appeared to look down approvingly on the proceedings. It was a very moving ceremony, not least because it also signified welcoming the spirit, and thereby the leadership, of Chris’ favourite student and protégé, Sensei George Launders 3rd Dan, and was witnessed by guest of honour Beryl Hopkinson, Chris’ widow.

Directly after the ceremony Shihan Andrew Millard 6th Dan and Shihan Gordon Lawson 5th Dan, ably assisted by the latter’s team of Dan grades, got to work demonstrating Zen Judo techniques for an eagerly anticipating group of judoka and public alike. 51 martial art students were on the mat, ranging from 5-70 years of age – the Dan and 1st kyu grades grouped together at one end and the juniors and other senior kyu grades at the opposite end. There was one of a number of particularly humorous moments when, to the children’s delight, Shihan Lawson pinned a 2nd kyu down while demonstrating osaekomiwaza and proceeded to pluck a hair from his (uke’s) chest with his free hand (how’re you feeling, Kevin?).

The morning session, which passed by all too quickly, ended with the presentation by three Bury Council officials of a grant cheque for £1,790.00, gratefully received by Sensei Launders on behalf of Shiro-no Zen Judokwai, to assist the club in its purchase of new equipment and pursuance of its goal in making Zen Judo popular in the area. Thereafter it was an orderly exit into the kitchen/bar area to tuck into a wonderfully prepared lunch by Edith Hopkinson, daughter-in-law of the late master, who included catering for most appreciative vegans and vegetarians.

After satisfying our stomachs – some rather too heavily! - it was back to the dojo. First on was Sensei Sean Nuttall 4th Dan and his proficient young team, who performed Nage-no-kata. This was followed by an awesome randori display consisting of Sensei Launders overcoming two attackers and then his performing throw for throw with Sensei Nuttall. Shihan Lawson and Sensei Anne Parker 3rd Dan then performed Kime-no-Kata using live blades.

The students were then separated into various Budo groups. Most notable of all, however, was the superb tutelage of Brian Morrison again – only this time in his capacity of 5th Dan Aiki-Jutsu. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Graham Padgett 3rd Dan and Keith Harby 2nd Dan were selected as lambs to the slaughter. Age is no barrier to one as highly skilled as Sensei Morrison and, with a captivating smile, he duly dispatched Graham and Keith to the mat again and again with incredible ease - OUCH!

3.00 p.m. was all too quickly upon us and after performing the final rei everyone slowly walked out of the dojo, hoping that we could, perhaps, have a half an hour or so extension. Unfortunately, we had to accept that a thoroughly enjoyable day was over – our appetites well and truly whetted for more!

Ian Hinze