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

A-SE: I was always fortunate that not only did I receive personal instruction and guidance directly from Sensei Williams and my own Sensei, and all dan grades previously mentioned. I also think that being assistant instructor to beginners class from 7th to 4th kyu, I was able to form a good practicing relationship with a small select group of students who all later became second generation of " HUT" dan grades. The group was made up of people like Ron James at 6ft 5ins tall and about 250 lbs seemed like a giant to me as a boy. He never took that into account and never gave me any leeway at all so it was very hard but good to train with this giant of a man. He would not "go" for anyone so he was always a challenge for me. Ron was a good friend and brother In law to another dan grade Andy Allen, who was assistant to Sensei Foster. Sensei Ellis and I would often bring young ladies to dojo visitors area. Andy who was oldest student of us all was a very dry and dour kind of man. I would say to him "Andy, she is nice isn't she" and as long as I knew him I always received same grim reply; " Huh! They are all nice until you marry them!!". Andy was one of my regular training partners.

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

I received my first dan grade just before I became 21 yrs of age. At same time I had just completed my apprenticeship as an engineer. It was then that Sensei Williams asked Sensei Ellis and I to travel and spread 'gospel' of Aikido. We were early 'disciples' as he put it. Although aikido had started to spread a little, there were areas that had no knowledge of this new martial art.

My beloved "Isetta" bubble car, which I had pushed to it's limits, had finally BURST ! It had to be dumped. Luckily at same time, Sensei Ellis had just bought a one year old Mini car which was in those days "business". So looking at car and prospects of aikido and travel and some amorous adventures I readily agreed to go along.

Rat Attack.

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

A-SE: At this point Henry and I had become good friends outside of dojo, yet on tatami I would still give deference, and that is how it has always been even today.

The first dojo we visited was in Nottinghamshire and run by George Cotterell, where we were employed for a short while. Mr Cotterell bred Chihuahua dogs of which there must have been about 50 or 60 of what Henry called overgrown rats. These dogs were all in paved back yard. The only toilet was situated at rear of yard, next to funeral parlour. At night gate would be locked so only way to toilet was through this dog filled yard. One night we had just got back from a good night at local pub and Henry went straight to bed whilst I stayed up for a cup of tea and a chat with Mrs Cotterell. After about one hour, Henry came out of bedroom wearing just his jeans with no socks or shoes, and he ran across yard to toilet ( that is some strong ale they drink up North). He made it before dogs could snap at his ankles. We heard a lot of commotion and looked out of window to see all these dogs yapping outside toilet door and in their excitement were doing their "business". Henry was now trying to open door, and seeing all dogs and mess he then realised he had no shoes on. Mrs Cotterell and me were in total hysterics at what was going on. Henry was shouting for me to bring out his shoes but with that northern ale inside of me I felt brave and ignored him and enjoyed fun. Watching him running across that minefield was just like a scene from a Jerry Lewis film. As he ran he was shouting threats of gross physical abuse at me. Shortly after that we had problems with boss over photos we had taken with coffins as related in "Fighting Arts International" magazine. We lost our jobs as undertakers assistants and we were now on road again to more adventures. Visiting dojos and martial arts clubs, schools, and anywhere that we were allowed to just show a little of our Aikido in hope that they would ask us for more. In those days in North there was not much work to be had at any time, so we would take any job that was offered to us and I mean ANY job. These included general labourer and building labourer , also working as labourers on Britains first motorway M1. Undertakers, Road sweepers, cesspit cleaning, steel mill worker, deckchair attendants, beach front photographers, painters. The worst job of all was "Railway", that was slave labour and we hated it, that only lasted a few days. That is how we spent days. In evenings we would very seriously spend that time promoting Aikido including Saturday and Sunday, In what we considered were successful attempts to extend and build ever expanding " Abbe Schools of Budo".

The HUT market!

Sensei Derek Eastman. 5th Dan.

By David J Wilson E.S.T.A. secretary. - July 2003.

I have known Sensei Eastman for some 12 years and during those years I have heard so many stories about both Sensei Eastman and Sensei Ellis and their dedication to early promotion of UK Aikido, some of history highlights their hard training and appreciation of a true martial art, yet there are many amusing anecdotes. Sensei Eastman is only Aikido student from 1950's "Hut " dojo who has never given an interview stating that "Sensei Ellis's story is more interesting than mine". I asked Sensei Eastman to let readers decide that on agreeing to 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 were you born?

A -DE: I was a premature baby; I was born 20 years too soon on 31st-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 sports.

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

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

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

Q -DW: Where did you begin your long journey of Aikido?

A -SE: At now Internationally famed "Hut" or as it later became "Abbe School of Budo" It was actually called "Abbe School of Judo" when I first joined.

First visit to " HUT" Dojo.

Q -DW: Would Judo have been your first introduction to martial arts on your first visit To "Hut"?

A -SE: I vividly remember that first visit with a friend of mine, as we walked into Hall no one noticed us as all eyes were focused on action on mat. There was a guy in centre of mat with a blindfold on who I later came to know as Sensei Harry Ellis. The blind folded student was being attacked by three other high grades, and believe me they were not messing around, in addition to three students attacking blind folded student there was another guy who was obviously top man here ( I later found out he was Sensei Williams). He was whacking 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 " Jeeezzz Del ! , I don't want any of that, do you?, I'm out of here". With that he left. Maybe I was not thinking straight but I stayed around and asked for some club information on beginners classes.

Q -DW: After witnessing that first insight into martial arts, why didn't you make same wise move as your friend?

A -SE: I didn't really know what I was watching, my first impression was that maybe it could be ju-jitsu or something like that, hmmm why did I stay? I am not sure, crazier still question should be why did I sign up. I belonged to a motor cycle gang and I was proud owner of a Royal Enfield 350cc. I was also too young to hold a driving license. In those days our favourite place was historic town of Windsor, which was a great meeting place for motorcycle gangs/groups. The problem was place was full of soldiers of Castle guard. There were always fights with our guys and soldiers of Queens Household Cavalry who were a tough old bunch of lads. In one of these frequent battles I got really hammered by one of Castle guards, I then decided to check out local Judo school, that's it!! I was in there and I joined there and then.

The Beginning of an Aikido Odyssey.

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

A -SE: My first class was in Sensei Ellis's Monday night beginners class, this was biggest class of week with between 40 to 50 students a night on mat. Sensei Ellis's class was always packed to overflowing, and training was always hard, yet I enjoyed it and found that I seemed to fit in naturally to this new martial art of Aikido.

Q -DW: Sensei, you said at beginning of this interview that " I made a brief start in 1959" what did you mean by a brief start?