SENSEI GAVIN PAUL 5th Dan

Sensei Paul started life north of the border just outside of Glasgow, a few years before the ‘swinging sixties’ got going. Moving south in 1962, his formative years were spent in Billericay, Essex. After several moves and a few years in between (no it wasn’t because the police were after the family) he settled in Cheshunt. He is married with two sons and a boxer dog. Both his sons train at the club and are progressing well through the kyu grades. Sensei Paul is a professional photographer working mainly in London, but has undertaken assignments all over the country. He has also worked in Europe and Africa.

Like many, Sensei Paul went along to his first karate lesson out of curiosity with a group of friends, and has continued training ever since. That first lesson in 1981 was at the dojo of the late Sensei Harry Jones 6th Dan. It is to Sensei Jones most of all, that Sensei Paul feels he owes his traditional views and practise of karate to. His first grading was taken later that year under the watchful gaze of Sensei Michael Randall 8th Dan. He attained his Shodan in 1988, Nidan in 1991, Sandan in 1995, Yondan in 1999 and his present grade in 2004. Over the years he has trained under some of the greatest modern day karate teachers in the country. These include Senseis Kanazawa, Eneoda, Murakami, Donovan and Ohta.

Because of his work and the often long and unsocial hours it demands he knows it would never have been possible to open a club of his own. That said, he enjoys the teaching and training aspects of karate without all the administration associated with running a club. When asked what he hopes the future will bring he said “The club has a very healthy group of youngsters, some of which I am sure will attain their black belts in time. There is also a strong adult group of all ages and abilities who really enjoy their karate and with the excellent instructors they will help the club to flourish”

I started karate as a teenager as many do with a group of friends. I always lead an active life and karate took my mind and body to another level. I received my Shodan in December 1991, Nidan in 1994, Sandan in February 2003 and my Yondan at the 2008 Gasshuku. As an experienced karateka I have learnt that being taught by Sensei's who were, staunch traditionalists was great, but they were not necessarily open to other techniques from other street-wise styles (no disrespect meant). Having joined Sensei Pell's club this has some what changed, you can never open your eyes wide enough to knowledge. Karate should always be traditional, but by introducing techniques from other styles only helps to keep the student interested.

Sensei Makewell started his training in 1986. He graded for his current level in 1999. Under Sensei Jones he was part of the 3-man kumite (freestyle sparring) team for Broxbourne with the previous instructors, but is equally at home performing kata. His ambition is to drive a fire engine with the sirens blaring.

I started Karate training around Christmas 1973 at the age of 25 and took my first grading for 9th Kyu in April 1974.

I was looking for a sport or Martial Art that I could practice for life without the need to rely on a partner or team to turn up before I could train. Over the years I have trained and graded with many senior instructors, British and Japanese, all of whom had their own style and methods.

I took my Shodan in 1984 and my Sandan in 2003. Although I have achieved a lot through the gradings, it has never been a driving ambition to grade at every opportunity; it is the training aspect that I enjoy most.

I like the discipline and respect associated with Karate training and enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of other Karateka, most of whom have become good friends.

I believe that the discipline and mind training that karate offers has helped me in my business and personal life outside the dojo.

My hobbies other than karate are football (I’m the only Gooner in the club!), gardening, clay pigeon shooting, walking my dogs and drinking in the pub with friends.

I took up Karate at age 14, at Broxbourne Karate Club under Sensei Jones. I always had an interest in martial arts and had previously practised Judo. I first wanted to try Karate after walking past the Broxbourne Dojo one day and wondered what all the noise coming from the hall was about. I reached 7th Kyu, but at 16 was enticed away for a number of years to pursue other interests. I returned to Karate in 1993, achieving Shodan in 1997, and Nidan in 2000. I began training with Sensei Pell full time in 2000 at Cheshunt and was awarded Sandan in March 2004.

Outside of Karate, I am a Finance Manager. When time permits, I also enjoy cycling and walking.

I would say to any beginners out there that it is not possible to fully appreciate what Karate is all about in a couple of lessons, and beware of some other martial arts forms which offer instant abilities, but which will not develop the whole person. Karate movements require time to practise and need time to train the mind and develop the muscles of the body before they can be done proficiently.

I started karate in August 1999. My First grading was taken by Sensei Harry Jones, a renowned 6^th Dan, which I am very proud of. Since then I have trained regularly and achieved my black belt after five years of training. Karate is a great way of keeping fit and a great sport. My hobbies are golf and football.