An Evening at Bethnal Green Karate Club

The sun had set the Thames alight as I crossed Tower Bridge about 8 o'clock one Thursday evening in early August; the tower at Canary Wharf, over to the east looked like an overgrown carrot with a bad case of radiation.

As part of a self imposed mission to train with as many of our top instructors as possible, I was heading for Bethnal Green. Land of the brave, and former stomping ground of Jack the Ripper.

I jest. Bethnal Green in the summer sunshine is no different from any other London borough apart from the fact that it just so happens to be the home of Sensei Graham Warden's Dojo. Noddy to his friends. Though what the Sensei and a jolly little character with a blue hat, complete with bell, have in common had, at first, escaped me.

The reputation of Bethnal Green Dojo is formidable. However, as I discovered, it is not a place to avoid if you are serious about karate. For, under the watchful eye of Sensei Graham, you can really begin to develop you technique in a realistic environment. The training fee for the nigh was £3. So with that duly paid, I loosened up and mentally prepared for a tough initiation.

Sensei Graham is very meticulous in his warm ups. We went through a series of different stretching exercises working on the arms, upper torso and then the legs. It was here that I learned a very useful tip. It is as follows: First sit on the floor with your legs outstretched. Then place the palms of your hands on the floor and slide them under your legs, between the calf muscle and the heel, then by giving a slight lift and pushing forward with your buttocks you can improve the width of your stretch immediately.

The stretching lasted for about 10 minutes by which time everybody seemed to be ready for action. There then followed a quick run through the basic ke-ages, just 30 of each to complete the stretching and loosen up the hips.

At this point Sempai Ken Fitzpatrick took over from the Sensei, partnered us off, and began teaching us some very effective punching and kicking combinations. I was lucky enough to be paired off with Ken Jarvis, who, besides the instructor, also gave me help, advice, encouragement and the occasional slap round the ear when so deserved. But don't misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting there is an aggressive atmosphere here. Far from it! Everyone seems to work together. Anyone who has ever been to a tournament, and seen the way the Bethnal Green machine performs will appreciate what I am saying. They all work for one another. Win for one another and, sometimes, lose with one another. Like one big family. That feeling emanates from the dojo, and you don't have to have to been born within the sound of the Bow Bells to be embraced by it.

After Senpai Ken had run through his series of combinations which included:

Left foot forward, shita tsuki (gyaku), shita tsuki (front hand), inside mawashi gedan geri (front leg).

Left foot forward, shita tsuki (gyaku), shita tsuki (front hand), outside mawashi gedan geri (back leg).

Left foot forward, hit front hand shita tsuki, then gyaku shita tsuki. Next break to your opponents right (your left) pivot on the balls of your feet and hit with a chudan tate tsuki hook.

Left foot forward, dummy shita tsuki (gyaku), hit shita tsuki (oi), follow with back leg hiza geri.

There were, obviously, other more complicated sets but don't rely on me to reveal them in the pages of this journal, if you want to know more, you know what to do.

Kumite followed. Bethnal Green is renowned for its fighting prowess and whilst this emanates from Sensei Graham (4th Dan), it is perpetuated by such well known karateka as Paula Long (3rd Dan), Mark Leslie (3rd Dan), Ken Fitzpatrick (2nd Dan), Colm Daly (2nd Dan, well done!) and Ken Jarvis (1st Dan) who collectively hold an incredible record of tournament successes. As well as lower grades whose names I do not know, but who each left their own distinctive mark on my chest, ribs and thighs.

I found sparring incredible! There was a commitment to the fighting here. Your opponent could be an 8th kyu or a 4th Dan but either would give you a run for your money. Regardless of your ability it was during the fighting that is struck me. (Shortly after a jodan mawashi geri as I recall!!!) There is a connection between Sensei Graham and Enid Blyton's nursery creation. Both are tenacious, strong willed and infectiously like-able. But more than this, they care. Noddy (Sensei Graham that is) protects his family of karateka. But at the same time he gives them no delusions. He teaches them to stand on their own two feet. Self defence in the true sense of the word. Physically, mentally and spiritually. Oh yes the spirit of budo is very much alive in Bethnal Green. So why not pop along and visit Sensei Noddy in his Bethnal Green dojo.

A word of warning though. It ain't Toyland.