1987-2012 (25th Anniversary)

By Master David Allerton (5th Dan)

Who would have thought 25 years ago when I hired Wolviston Court Community Centre, Billingham it would be the start of something which would change the lives of so many people, most of all myself. I still remember Iain Clarke, a skinny 7 or 8 year old, the first through the door to start his first lesson accompanied by his lovely mum, who at some later stage would take me to task for kicking her beloved son in the stomach as he did sit ups ( but later acknowledged it was for his own good !). He was a timid child who backed away from confrontation but gradually got tough, obtained his midnight blue belt and joined the Military Police. He was closely followed by Andrew Taylor, Emma Crawley and Philip Hinchcliffe. Where are you guys now ? Please get in touch and let me know how life is treating you.

Anyway, to continue this story we need to go back a little further ..... I first witnessed a Tang Soo Do class around 1979 when I was transferred to Hertfordshire with my job. I had already practised Wado Ryu karate since 1973 but was mesmerised by this class run by a Korean instructor, Master Lee (then 8th Dan). I saw students free sparring, kicking, jumping and spinning like I had never seen before. However, I was now training in Shotokan karate with a wonderful Japanese instructor at a mental institution in St Albans but soon decided to devote myself full time to Tang Soo Do. When I did my progress was rapid. The training was harsh and I recall students knocked out during testing for dan grades. At one point Master Lee called a halt and addressed the senior class saying we had to have more control, otherwise we would have to fight him ! As I progressed through the dan grades I have to acknowledge thanks to Master Titus and Master Carder who managed to combine hard training with a sense of safety . During my 4th Dan Master grading , which is always conducted behind closed doors, I witnessed Eamon McGonigle, knocked out with a chop kick to the head from Master Carder. Eamon was dragged out and I was called out to fight. Then poor Eamonn was helped back into the lions den to continue his grading. Priceless memories !

Back in Teesside we had expanded to High Grange Community Centre and classes were booming. One evening 2 young ladies entered the dojang one of whom later became my future wife, Melanie and here we are now with 5 lovely children. I added further classes at the Tilery, Stockton, where I also learned Tai Chi. Then the Forum, Billingham became host to a fortuitous meeting. There appeared a chap called Stephen Crooks, who would later become our deputy chief instructor. He says “ I came to martial arts quite late, I was 30 years young and it was 1988 I had borrowed a "COMBAT" magazine off a friend and there was an article in it by Robert Hedges who studied a Korean martial art called Tang Soo Do which I had never heard of, he was advertising a video and I was intrigued, I sent away for it and was very impressed by what I saw. I then phoned around all the sports centres ( no web in those days) and was fortunate enough to find Master Allerton teaching Tang Soo Do in the Forum Sports centre in Billingham, one lesson and I knew it was for me, I was hooked ” ! David and Craig Moat began training at High Grange community centre in the early 1990's. Craig says “ At the age of 17 I was victim of an un-provoked attack from 4 assailants. Something that changed the way I thought about self defence. It was at this time I decided to start Martial arts. My brother had been training in Tang Soo Do for about 18 months. Further to watching a TSD championship held in Dewsbury I knew there was a future for me in Tang Soo Do. I joined the UKTSDF training under Master David Allerton in Billingham. The classes were hard, and despite training for 20 years I still remember my first class. Good memories always last. "

As time went by there was always a feeling that something was missing from Tang Soo Do training in the UKTSDF . There were many senior classes, championships, international seminars and Master seminars but all very basic with little or no explanation. The only shining light was Master Tang who began some senior classes in West Yorkshire covering breathing exercises, jump kicks on pads and even over obstacles - it was like a breath of fresh air but unfortunately they didn't last very long. There was, however, a momentous occasion in the mid 1980’s when the founder of Tang Soo Do , GrandMaster Hwang Kee and his son Master Hyun Chul Hwang conducted seminars in Watford, England. We were taught the Chil Sung forms and the first Yuk Ro as well as Moo Pal Dan Khum for the very first time. Up till then we had only practised the Okinawan influenced Pyung Ahn, Bassai, etc. but this was different – Chi Gung breathing exercises, Tai Chi and Tan Tui all thrown into the mix. It was like the whole art had opened up, a wealth of material to study for an entire lifetime. Shortly after, alas, Master Lee decided to leave his teacher, which was no doubt a difficult decision, but unfortunately much was lost in the process. So training continued in the UKTSDF much as before. One plus was that due to the fact I was taught nothing more than basics it forced me to research and study, to find the answers myself, so began a journey in self discovery which continues to this day. Along came the Northern Championships in 2005 and I had already had discussions with club seniors and unanimously everyone felt we should leave the UKTSDF as our progress was being hampered. Too many four hour drives to Watford with nothing at the end of it. We attended the Northern championships in the knowledge it would be our last and the atmosphere was electric. During the break I was to perform a demonstration of Oh Sip Sa Bo (Tiger Form) together with our own Ho Sin Sul applications. As I begun the first few sequences GrandMaster Lee suddenly called a halt to proceedings and announced there would be no video recording of the demonstration. It mattered little, our minds were made up and the next day he received our resignation.

Since we started our own association we have gone from strength to strength. Not just in the sense of student numbers but in our own personal progression in martial art. I decided to research and record the missing applications to the Pyung Ahn forms and published “Secret Moves” with the help of Master Crooks in 2006. In 2007 my family and I decided on a life changing adventure to live in Cyprus. I worked as a Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist which gave me plenty of time for solo training and follow my own Ryu Pa. Master Crooks took over the day to day running of the club and we kept in touch on technical matters. I was so pleased when we trained together in the Tai Chi form at the top of the Troodos mountains and I wish to express my sincere thanks for his dedication and loyalty over the years. Whilst in Cyprus I was asked by Paul Clifton to begin writing a monthly Tang Soo Do column for Combat magazine which I have now done for several years. As a result I have had the pleasure to interview and discuss many advanced concepts of Tang Soo Do with senior Masters and GrandMasters from different parts of the world which has undoubtedly cemented our understanding of the art. In 2011 I was honoured to be inducted into the Combat Hall of Fame yet I know our work is far from done. We have new students to teach, new things to learn. As we mature our training inevitably takes us into the internal arts of Chi Gung and Tai Chi . Another chapter has begun.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary we have various events planned and special merchandise including holdalls, t-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts and hoodies all with the 25th anniversary badge and "Moo" symbol.

I have chosen this Chinese calligraphy specifically for the 25th anniversary to show the progression made individually and collectively as a club. There are 8 brush strokes required to complete this character which represent the 8 energies or 8 techniques of Tang Soo Do. These are 1> Ward off or repel; 2> roll back or deflect; 3> press and 4> push. We continue with the 4 corners which are essential for close range fighting - 5> takedown; 6> splitting; 7> hip/knee to unbalance or strike; 8> shoulder or elbow to unbalance or strike. For further study look at the articles on Seishan hyung and Tai Chi.

When added to the five steps or movements it comprises the 13 influences or Sip Sam Seh which are the basis of all Tang Soo Do techniques.

When I was a student (and I still am) then midnight blue belt and eventually Master, these things were never explained to me. This symbol therefore shows the progression, self study and maturity which we have achieved over the past 25 years of training. It also represents the resolution of conflict, whether physical or mental through strength and courage. One thing is for sure and that is when the going got tough we held fast, true to our beliefs and conducted ourselves with honour and integrity far more than the people we previously respected. So here is to the next 25 years of this family club of which I am so proud. To progress further we must have an appreciation of the History, Philosophy and Ryu Pa. Never stop learning, train hard, treat people with respect, keep smiling and be positive each day.

Yours in Tang Soo !

Master Allerton