Ray (Sandan)

I began Aikido in 1986 at Olney Aikido Club (my "local") The club subsequently moved to, and became, Milton Keynes Aikido Club. I started a martial art (aikido was geographically the closest) to replace the competition I'd lost on retiring from competitive hockey! It didn't take me long to realise that Aikido is about competition... with oneself! My senseis were Alan Sanders and Roger Nye. I thank them both for their perseverance and compassion. They have both since retired from aikido practice; they will always number among my friends.

I achieved Shodan in 1999, a long wait during which time both my sensei had retired and I and my 1st Kyu friends left with the responsibility of Milton Keynes Club. I approached Aubrey Smith Sensei of Northampton and the Yama Arashi (UK) Association into which my sensei had joined us prior to retiring. Aubrey has always taken an interest and a role in the development of our club. He alone was responsible for my continuing to follow aikido's path during a difficult time.

I became Assistant Coach in Dec 1995 and Coach in Sept 2000. To these three people, and Bob Sherrington Sensei of Kettering Aikikai, I owe a debt of gratitude. They instilled within me an understanding of the importance of harmony during practice and life, of doing aikido WITH people and not TO them.

There are, of course, many others from the world of aikido who have helped guide me along this path so far, sensei and students. In 2000 Keith Downs Sensei joined Milton Keynes Seishin. In addition to enabling our entrance into the Lancashire Aikikai Keith has added other fine elements to the aikido we practice.

In April 2002 Keith arranged for me to take the necessary steps toward achieving Nidan. My gratitude can only be expressed by my continuing enjoyment of aikido. I wish to acknowledge Keith's guidance personally as well as for all of MK Seishin Aikido Club<

In September 2006, with Keith’s sponsorship, I attained Sandan after examination by our Principal, Mr. Bob Spence Sensei. I never imagined, back in 1986, that I could ever attain such an honour! Each rewarding plateau of achievement in the process of understanding that which O Sensei gave to us is followed by another intriguing, entrancing learning curve. Although I feel more experienced in my Aikido I am constantly amazed by just how much there is still to learn…