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Sensei Steve Cole
I had a number of amateur boxing bouts at shows at various locations around the south of England in the late seventies and early eighties with levels of success varying from good wins to some very painful defeats. It was during training in boxing that I met a friend who convinced me to join the Royal Marines Reserve, and it was there that I found an interest in self defence techniques during practice for the display teams. On leaving the RMR I took up Judo at Swindon Judo Club, the first instructor I met there was Dave Gadd, who obviously made a great impression on me as we are still training regularly together to this day, although now of course in Ju Jitsu rather than Judo. During an enforced break from Judo due to an injury, a work colleague of mine persuaded me to have a go at Ju Jitsu, and I have been hooked ever since. At the club I met my very close friend Baj Bharj, and we have been running Swindon Ju Jitsu Club together now for many years. Baj and I have graded through the Jikishin syllabus together over the years, we are currently both 3rd dan which we progressed to in December 1996. It has been and still is a privilege to be part of Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association. Over the years I have met so many great friends, also excellent martial artists, and received so much help and support, especially from Sensei’s Terry and Janet Parker, Sensei Brian Herbert and so many others too numerous to mention by name here. I feel the atmosphere at our club is relaxed and friendly but also disciplined, determined and spirited. We concentrate on the Jikishin Association syllabus (www.jikishin.com) but also regularly practice Ko-budo weapon work, and free practice groundwork and sparring. We have some superb students at the club, I would like to thank them all for their continued support and friendship. New members are of course always more than welcome.
Sensei Baj Bharj
At 18 I went to Hatfield Polytechnic to study and was away from home for 3 years and did no training apart from eating, drinking and chatting up birds. At 21 I returned to Swindon and wanted to start Martial arts again but this time I was determined to train seriously and achieve a black belt. I looked around at many different clubs and styles and was very impressed with Ju-jitsu it was physical, practical and most important enjoyable. I started training at 22 years of age and now after 20 years, aged 42 am still training seriously in the same art. I met up with Steve Cole whom I partnered and we have graded together from white to 3rd Dan, a regular, reliable partner is very important in any martial art and is one of the key success factors. Our Instructor left the UK when we were both purple belts at which time we took over the running of the club, we use to travel up to London to learn our next syllabus. Sensei Terry Parker our Instructor has been very helpful and supportive and without him and his senior members Steve and I would not have progressed to the grade we are today. Partnership is the key to all success, Steve and I have no ego between ourselves, we trust each other with our lives which is one of the major contributions towards the success of Swindon Ju-jitsu club. 3 years ago I was made redundant and could not source a job with the UK so decided to become an Expatriate in Saudi Arabia, I worked out there for 2.5 years and taught ju-jitsu out there to a wide range of different nationalities it was great fun. Early this year I return to the UK and could not find a job in Swindon so moved to Shrewsbury and am currently working there. I teach at Fitness first once a week and weight train twice a week. The key thing for me is where ever I go I always make sure I continue with ju-jitsu training as I enjoy it so much it has become a part of my life and I will never give it up. Although I have not trained with my partner Steve Cole continuously for the past 3 years at Swindon Ju-jitsu club we have kept in touch and train whenever it is feasibly possible. Any martial art is a life time study, it’s a journey of 100 miles by foot and I believe at 3rd Dan, training for 20 years I have only taken a couple of steps into the 100 mile journey. There is so much to learn it’s unbelievable.
Sensei Dave Gadd
It is essential to obtain an all round knowledge of every discipline encountered in Jujitsu to become successful, but being on the small side my preference is ground fighting. I also prefer the throwing techniques best suited to my stature. After many years enjoying martial arts, I learnt many Japanese words and phrases which prompted me to study the Japanese language at Swindon college . This in turn inspired me to visit Japan and have been lucky enough to travel extensively around that interesting country. I visited three times with my wife, mostly backpacking and as I worked for Rover I also spent 1 month on a work related visit to a Honda factory. I naturally took my gi each time and have had the experience of fighting on the hallowed tatami at the Kodokan in Tokyo. I also visited a judo club in Kawagoe and practised with Sensei Takeda 6th Dan. I have also practised judo in Singapore where my son lives. I, like all Jikishin members enjoy the comradeship and atmosphere associated with Jujitsu and attend as many courses as I can. I am a level 3 coach (club instructor) level 4 at Kobudo (weapons) , a Competition Assistant, up to date First Aid certificated and as a pre requisite for all BJJAGB coaches I have CRB enhanced clearance essential for all instructors enabling them to teach children and vulnerable persons. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new members.
Sensei Simon Taylor
I grew up in Swindon but had to move to the West Midlands with my Mum and Dad in the October of 1982 and I stayed there for a further 9/10 years. I started my martial arts career back in 1983 where I first trained in Shukokai Karate in Kidderminster, West Midlands. I reached Blue Belt in Shukokai Karate but soon started to find it to regimented. I entered around four competitions but didn’t gain any trophies or medals in the time; I think that was due to my not enjoying the sport as mush as I thought I would so I didn’t put in the effort needed to win. I finish training in Shukokai Karate in 1986 after I met my first wife to be and settled down to 15 years of marriage, working and all the rest that comes along with a marriage, kids and the like. I brought my family back to Swindon in 1990 to look for work. Things took a slight turn for the worst and I some how ended up on drugs and spent the next 12 years as a drug addict. And my marriage ended up in divorce and I then sought counselling for my addiction, of which I have now been clean of for over 6 years. I found the Jikishin Ju-Jitsu School purely by chance. Ever since joining the club my addiction background has never been questioned, in fact quite the opposite. I received untold support and understanding from all the club members. I have trained extremely hard over the last 5 years to gain the belt I am today and with the support of the others in the club I have succeeded in gaining a life long dream. I now help to teach in the club and enjoy every minute. You could say that my profile is one of those success stories you read about in the magazines. I would like to take the chance to thank all my good friends with in this club and all the other friends I have had the greatest pleasure making and meeting within the rest of the association for all your support throughout my training. I would also like to welcome all new members to the club; no matter what your background there is a welcoming hand for you in the club.
Meet the club
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