Association Dinner March 2011
Saturday March 26th saw a gathering of many of the Associations senior Instructors at the Culcheth Sports Club, Warrington. I don't mean Instructors from the immediate region or locale, but from the four points of the compass. Our illustrious chairman Mr.Roy Stanhope was in attendance, purportedly to present Coaching Certificates to the students of Kevin Barlow 7th Dan.
Mr.Stanhope thought he was presenting these items at a small dinner party for just that purpose and I can vouch that as he walked into the premises and saw so many colleagues there, he was to coin a phrase, gob smacked. Kevin explained that he had decided to invite more people, to turn it into a general Instructors dinner in order that we were able to now put a face to names, and indeed act as a bonding for our Association members.
We had an excellent dinner with the chance to chat to our table companions, then Kevin asked Mr. Stanhope to affect the awards, which he did with much aplomb. Kevin then made a speech extolling the virtues and qualities of Mr.Stanhope as a person and a Martial Artist, whose name and fame extends very long way, yes even across the globe. After a few minutes of such dialogue Kevin then delivered the real reason for the gathering, with these words: Well Mr.Stanhope in view of all the aforesaid, on behalf of the Technical Committee of our Association I HEREBY PRESENT YOU WITH THIS CERTIFICATE TO AWARD YOU THE TITLE OF NINTH DAN HANSHI' Then Kevin read out the tributes sent by Instructors who were unable to attend, basically all saying the same thing, the award was well earned and thoroughly well deserved.
Mr.Stanhope was momentarily struggling for words at this totally unexpected turn of events. He did make a short acceptance speech which was loudly applauded by all. Mr.Stanhope has been involved in the Martial Arts at the highest level over such a long period that this award was long overdue. I am sure that all our members will be absolutely delighted to hear the news. The offshoot of this of course is that the personnel present were already talking of making this Instructors dinner an annual event.
Let us hope that this thinking does bear fruit.