Easter Break Closing Dates 2023

We will be taking a break over Easter and the club will be closed during that period.  We will be closed from Monday 3rd April 2023 to Saturday 15th April 2023 inclusive and are reopening on Monday the 17th April 2023. We hope you all have a good break and look forward to seeing you again upon our return. All planned closing and grading dates are available as usual on our Gradings and Holiday Dates page.

The BWCSK Team

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Kyu Gradings – March 2023

Kyu Gradings – March 2023

    Over the weekends of the 11th and 18th March 2023 Birmingham & Weoley Castle Shotokan Karate along with our sister club Kenshin Shotokan Karate Club in Stetchford held the Kyu Grading examinations for March 2023. As usual we had students of all ages, grades and abilities testing themselves to continue their karate journey and hopefully advance in grade. We were very pleased with the effort everybody put in to give their best in what any of us who have graded know is a very stressful situation. So as instructors we would like to say well done to everybody who took their grading and congratulations to all those who passed.… Read the rest

    Tonight’s Class Cancelled Due to Snow – Thursday 9th March 2023

    Tonight’s Class Cancelled Due to Snow – Thursday 9th March 2023

    Due to the snow and ongoing yellow weather warning we have taken the decision to cancel tonight’s class at Weoley Castle Community Church. Sorry for the short notice and any inconvenience it may cause but safety has to be paramount.

    We will continue to monitor the weather and make decisions as appropriate about other upcoming classes. We will let you know as soon as we can if we need to cancel any additional classes so please check back here, on our Facebook Page (latest posts can be seen in the widget at the bottom of this page) or in our Facebook members only area for further updates.… Read the rest

    Dan Grade Certificate Presentations For December 2022 Gradings

    Dan Grade Certificate Presentations For December 2022 Gradings

    During the course of January we were able to present those who passed their black belt gradings in December their framed certificates and Nakmas qualified black belt register official registration cards plus a few students who were unable to pick up their Kyu grading certificates on the day. Congratulations again to Natalia Bak 2nd Dan, Martha Newman 1st Dan and Phoebe Hadley 1st Dan.

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    Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for 2023!

    Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for 2023!
    Photo by marius.zierold on flickr

    Well it has been a great year at BWCSK and on behalf of Sensei Sue, myself and the rest of the BWCSK instructors and admin team we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    Enjoy the break, keep practising and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year with training resuming at Weoley Castle on Monday 9th January 2023 and the first class at Longbridge being on Saturday 14th January 2023.

    Richard Sensei

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    Kyu & Dan Gradings November 2022

    Kyu & Dan Gradings November 2022

    As we reach the end of another year it has again come time for the final set of Kyu & Dan Gradings at Bornville College. This year the previous September and December gradings were combined into a single grading in November 2022 to allow more time after the summer holidays for students to prepare and cater for grading examiners availability. The gradings in November 2022 were again run over two consecutive Saturdays with the first week for red belts and below and the second for yellow belt and above. For these gradings we were joined by our sister club Kenshin Shotokan Karate Club based in Stechford (formerly headed by the late Sensei Franklyn Doras 6th Dan who was another former student our late sensei, Shihan Cummins).… Read the rest

    Summer Break 2022

    Hello folks,

    Although many of you will likely have seen this via the newsletter, heard it on class or read it on our Grading & Holiday Dates page, the club is closing for it’s summer break between Monday 8th August 2022 and Saturday 20th August 2022 with training resuming on Monday 22nd August 2022 at the Weoley Castle Dojo.

    We hope you will all have a relaxing break and look forward to seeing you again when we reopen.

    The BWCSK Team

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    Kyu and Dan Gradings: June 2022

    Kyu and Dan Gradings: June 2022

    After the bumper turnout for the March gradings the June 2022 gradings were split over two weekends at our Bournville College dojo. This allowed the gradings to proceed at a far less hectic pace than the previous gradings which was far less stressful for those grading and the examiners. The first gradings were held on Saturday 11th June for beginners to red belts. The gradings went well with our students having diligently studied for the gradings over the previous months showing a good standard throughout.

    The second weekend of gradings were on Saturday 18th June 2022 and covered the remaining Kyu grades and Dan gradings.… Read the rest

    Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Closing Dates

    With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne coming next week we know that many students are taking advantage of the extra bank holidays to get away. So with this in mind we have decided that we will close for the week starting Monday 30th May 2022 and re-open on Monday 6th June 2022.

    We hope you all enjoy the break and we will see you when you return.

    Sensei Sue and Richard.

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    Sensei Susan Hession promoted to 5th Dan!

    Sensei Susan Hession promoted to 5th Dan!

    We are extremely pleased to announce that Sensei Susan Hession, Chief Instructor of Birmingham & Weoley Castle Shotokan Karate club has been promoted by the NAKMAS National Management Committee on the 8th May 2022 to the rank of Godan (5th Dan) following a formal audit by a certified BSI Lead Auditor and the completion of training course requirements.

    Sensei Hession works tirelessly both in and outside the dojo to ensure the club runs smoothly and all students get the training and equipment they need. Most students will be unaware of just how much time she dedicates to the club or those extra little touches she adds such as framing all dan grade certificates that help make BWCSK what it is.… Read the rest