Once again – nos amis français apportent le beau temps avec eux – the sun was out, the skies were clear, and we were ready for another Autumn Seminar.
The weekend started with successful 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Dan gradings. It was a delight to see powerful, confident candidates demonstrating what they had learned.
With candidates coming from across England, Scotland, and France, we also had an audience from far and wide supporting the gradings (and celebrating late into the evening).
In the afternoon, Sensei Walters focused on a number of details from the gradings, and finished the session with an old favourite exercise from pre-HQ days. Many heads were scratched!
Later that evening, the Watchfield had to open up their back room and clear out several skeletons to fit us all in.
Sunday
On Sunday, Sensei Woolfall taught half-by-half-by-half (via the Dordogne region, #IFYKYK), and Sensei O’Connell invited us to give particular attention to the details required for effective corner steps. Both sessions were fascinating and entertaining.
The seminar closed with a Kyu grading, populated almost exclusively by the Chesham club. All passed impressively.
Gradings are joint efforts. Thanks from all the candidates to the grading officers and ukes without whom…..
It also takes a lot of energy in the background to host a course. Thanks particularly to Pete Bailie for keep everyone right, and to Angela Woolfall for Sunday’s delicious tea!