The Devizes Budo Club was first formed in 1957 primarily as a Judo Club. Aikido practise was started in about 1958 with instruction from Shihan Kenshiro Abbe during his regular visits to teach Judo.
Much effort was given to running the Club in its early years by Sensei Graham Burt who later went on to form the first Aikido Clubs in Newfoundland. These Clubs are still alive today under the direction of Bill McDonald a direct student of Graham Burt.
In 1959 the Budo Club held one of the very first Aikido courses ever in the UK with instruction from Sensei Ken Williams assisted by Sensei Henry Ellis. Both direct students of Kenshiro Abbe.
The Club held frequent Aikido courses in its early years with such historic Aikido names as Masamichi Noro and Mutsuharu Nakazono.
In more modern times we have had courses with Ken Cottier, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Midori Kajihara and many enjoyable courses from Sensei Bill Harris from the Kai Shin Kai, the organisation to which we are affiliated to.
The complete history of the Devizes Budo Club from 1957 to 2007 is available in paperback priced at £8.95 from amazon.co.uk, from Devizes Books or directly from the Budo Club. Club members can purchase at discounted prices.
The 144 page Book contains the complete history and many 100’s of unique photographs
The Devizes Budo Club - The First Fifty Years
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