Lennie Ballard Sensei and Peter Dowden Sensei.

They appeared inseparable and were really great friends, they would do most of knife and club displays. I would deputise for them in their ladies classes. They left HUT shortly after Eric Dollimore.

John Caldwell Sensei.

John was an electrician who worked with Sensei Williams. He was not only a first dan in aikido but also a semi professional sparring partner and boxer. He sparred with some notable boxers such as ex world champs Terry Downs and Terry Spinks who were both world champions at their own weight. John once took me to 'Thomas A Becket' , a famous training gym for boxers above a London pub. That was a special treat for a young lad like me as many world famous UK and USA boxers had trained there. I also remember that once when John was out doing some running training he was attacked by a large alsatian dog which chased after him. John turned as dog launched itself at him. He kicked hard at dog, kicking it straight in throat and it died instantly. A little different to Abbe Sensei's experience with an Alsatian but non less unavoidable.

Hamish McFarlane Sensei.

Was older and senior to me he was also a good judoka. He was a 1st kyu (brown belt) in Aikido when I started yet we ended up taking our dan grade test together some four years later. When I received my first dan, Sensei Ellis as tradition demanded presented me with my first black belt and hakama which was of a very good quality. No one ever knew where Hamish got his hakama from. Ellis spread rumour that hakama was an ex war dept army blanket as it was a thick material with no traditional pleats. That joke never left Hamish, and I even laughed with Sensei Foster about it recently (July 2003). There was one thing about Hamish that very few knew. When he first asked if he could join Aikido class he told Sensei Williams that Doctor had told him he would within 12 months be confined to a wheelchair for rest of his life because of a serious condition with his spine. He started Aikido, and practiced until his death in his 60's. He also went to Japan and trained at Aiki-Kai. I have recently heard sad news that Hamish died a little while ago.

Early dan gradings.

Q-DW: How do you compare grading system ofthe early days at HUT with some that you have seen in later years ?.

A-SE: Grading procedures were not so technically ritualised as they are today. Where as at HUT, grading would be very physical with constant 100% attack, no one ever got through a grading without a few lumps. I think that most of old dan grades would agree that 3rd kyu (green belt) was always hardest; considered by both Abbe Sensei and Williams Sensei to be transition grade between beginner and high grade and your first step as a assistant teacher. It was also first grading where we had to take attack from a real knife. When it was my first time Sensei Williams asked me "Are you prepared to accept real knife " I said "YES" but I really meant NO. Eric Dollimore stood before me holding a large knife in his LEFT hand, I just froze. Sensei Williams said " Derek you forgot Eric is left handed" then he told Eric to attack with his right and then his left. When I took my first dan, what stands out most in my mind was how tired I was when it was my turn. I had been uke for all other grades and to be honest I don't know how I got through it all. I just wanted to get it all over with. I took Hamish with a positive tenchi nage and really hammered him into mat. Nakazono Sensei said he was very pleased with that final technique and awarded me first dan.

Continued in Part Three:

Q: DW. Sensei, You have mentioned so many name of aikidoists from old days at HUT, do you know of those that are still involved in aikido? And are you still in contact with any of these people?

A: SE. As of this date 2003, There are only a few that are still involved and teaching Aikido and I am occasionally in touch with some of them. Sensei Ken Williams founder of HUT Judo dojo and chief instructor, who was first student to study Aikido in UK, and is now head of Ki Aikido Federation of Great Britain. Sensei Haydn Foster who is still at HUT and head of Institute of Aikido. Sensei Henry Ellis who is head of Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido. Sensei Ralph Reynolds who was a regular visitor to HUT in 50/60s, who is now head of Aikido Fellowship. Sensei George Stavro who is associated with several dojos and still linked to Chiba Sensei. Sensei Les White who is head of The Traditional Aikido Ryu. Time takes it's toll on those we knew and respected.

The British Aikido Board and The Martial Arts Commission.

Q: DW. Sensei, When did you become involved with British Aikido Board.

A: SE. I had spoken with Jim Elkin of large Tomiki group, who suggested that I join Martial Arts Commission within a traditional aikido member group. I agreed to this, but on contacting head of this group and submitting our credentials including copies of my dan grade certificates as signed by O'Sensei himself; My first impression was that I would be warmly received and I was informed that they would pay my dojo a visit, I happily agreed to this, and said it would be a pleasure to have them visit and train with me, only to be told they would not come on tatami (mats) , they said they would assess my standard while sitting away from mat. I refused offer, I told him that I may meet him one time on a mat but not as fellow practitioners.

I thanked Mr Elkin for his help and support , and said I would not be joining traditional group. I liked Jim Elkin and always found him and his associate Brian Eustace of Tomiki group very helpful during our membership of Martial Arts Commission (MAC). He also helped us to achieve full technical coaching standard of MAC.

On later relaying this story to Minoru Kenetsuka Sensei when I visited him at Cardiff Aiki-Kai. He asked me for copies of my certificates with O'Sensei's signature on them. I later found he had used what I had told him and certificates to leave British Aikido Board, at that time within MAC, saying that they did not recognise O'Sensei as founder of Aikido. Sensei Ken Williams had also left BAB/MAC for similar reasons.

A few years later I was approached by a BAB member of MAC, a Mr Ted Stratton, who I fondly remember as originator of 'elbow power' in Aikido which I still use. Sensei Stratton is sadly deceased and a most respected figure of Aikido. I then corresponded with Paula Mitchell of MAC and using criteria required at that time joined MAC/BAB. One of criteria was that we should have our own organisation and title. I recalled that many years earlier Sensei Williams had honoured his teacher by calling HUT dojo " The Abbe School of Judo" . I decided to approach Sensei Ellis and asked for his approval to use his name for our organisation, I am pleased to say that he agreed. We then called our organisation "The Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido". Sensei Ellis re-opened Bracknell dojo and we were again one!

http://www.EllisAikido.org http://www.geocities.com/britishaikido