GLASTONBURY
WEEKEND
This
was the first KYR Glastonbury course that I have attended and I found it to be
a highly successful and enjoyable weekend.
We
(the Wigan/Atherton contingent) arrived at Paddington Farm at about 11 pm, all
ready for a good nights’ sleep. After a
few beers, thoughts of sleep were forgotten and we were suitable revived and
ready for a 1 am training session. This
was an excellent icebreaker, allowing us to meet others from a range of
different clubs. By 3.3Oam it was time to stop rolling around the children’s’
play park and we returned to the important task of drinking until the wee hours
(or straight through until breakfast in the case of Shihan Jaimie Lee-Barron
and Sensei Terry Hall!).
Waking
up took a little effort but the morning began with an informative and
re-energising Tai-Chi session lead by Shidoshi Adam Vile. After breakfast
training was led by Shihan Jaimie Lee-Barron and continued by Renshi Joao
Fernandes. This was a highly enjoyable session and a great opportunity to train
with KYR’s Portuguese chief instructor who had traveled to England especially
for this event. The morning continued with Shihan George Scarrott teaching his
techniques of Aiki Jitsu with his usual dose of humour and practicality. After
this Shihan Jo Biggs taught Brown and Black belts whilst Vicki Biggs, 3rd Dan,
treated the rest of us to a very good introduction in the use of the Tanto.
Both groups clearly learned a lot and enjoyed these sessions.
After
lunch and a discussion about the historical and spiritual significance of
Glastonbury, we headed en masse up the Tor. This was my first visit to this
sacred place and it was easy to see how it has been given religious
significance by those who have seen and climbed it throughout the centuries.
On
return to the farm, we were taught some basic approaches to ‘striking hands’ by
Shidoshi Adam Vile, 5th Dan – a relaxing and educational lesson.
Shihan Jo Biggs then lead one of his unique sessions stressing the importance
of rhythm) and awareness of others to the sound of some trance music. This
session seemed to set the mood for the evening in which rhythm (and at times a
serious lack of it) played a large part when combined with a little
intoxicating refreshment!
Whilst
Shihan Biggs took a group back up the Tor and into Glastonbury, the rest of us
were treated to such musical delights as Sensei Carol Scarrott’s rendition of
“New York, New York”, accompanied by her own distinctive method of guitar
playing. (I’m sure all present will look forward to future renditions of
‘popular classics’ by the afore-mentioned diva!). It was the return of Shihan
Biggs and his newly founded ‘coven’ performing strange rituals in the darkness
which prompted the composition of the evening’s anthem “You’re a load of
weirdo’s,” whilst the ‘coven’ outside performed a ritual in which they used
rarely seen parts of their bodies to draw upon the power of the moon!
Suffice
to say a good time was had by all and the revelry continued into the early
hours.
I
feel that the evening pointed to the importance of socialising and enjoying
each other’s company as this sense of fun not only carries over into training
but it also promotes the sense of community with KYR.
The
next morning arrived and without time to fully adjust to a state of ‘being
awake’, training began with a kickboxing warm-up from Shihan Lee-Barron who
again handed over to Renshi Joao Fernandes to continue the session.
Shihan George Scarrott then displayed his exceptional
ability to entertain and amuse whilst teaching his highly effective techniques.
Shihan Jo Biggs then drew upon trance and healing energy in the final and
extremely positive session of the weekend. This was on excellent wind down and
reminder of the sense of unity and hope that had been nurtured during the course.
After
the closing ceremony in which certificates were awarded and many deeply felt
thank you’s were said, many of us went into Glastonbury for a meal before our
final goodbyes.
The
weekend was a wonderful experience for everyone to whom I spoke. New
friendships were made and older ones were strengthened. I arrived home very
tired but with a sense of happiness and a renewed energy with which to train
within the KYR.
I
know we would all like to express our deepest gratitude to Shihan George
Scarrott for organising the event and all the instructors for their superb
contributions which gave us all far more than a sequence of techniques to take
with us.
The members of the Wigan/Atherton Dojos would also like to thank Sensei Terry Hall for getting us all there and back safely.
Jacob Sibley