Newport Pagnell
Karate Club
Sensei Andrew Taylor
Andrew started Karate in 1990 with the English Shotokan Karate Association (ESKA) under the guidance of chief instructor Sensei Michael Nursey. Andrew trained mainly at the Stopsley Club in Luton under Senseis Ian Walters and Wendy Walters, gaining his Shodan in December 1993. Andrew enjoyed his time at ESKA and was able to train under many top Instructors as well as the above mentioned, Andrew was also able to train under Sensei Roger Hall, Sensei Clive Leyton, Sensei Ted Docwra and Sensei Nick Lower.
Andrew briefly left Karate in 2002 whilst he got married and started a family.
Having moved away from the Luton area Andrew spent some time experiencing different clubs. During this time Andrew trained briefly at the Dojo of Sensei Rafferty and Sensei Gilles where he had the honour of attending a training session given by Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa, one of the highlights of Andrew's Karate career.
In 2006 Shihan van Weenen opened a Dojo in Olney and Andrew jumped at the chance of training under such a renowned karateka. Andrew re-took his black belt under Shihan Van Weenen in 2009, shortly before starting the Tickford Club.
Sensei Jonathan Herbert
I started training with Newport Pagnell Karate Club in 2008 after my son showed an interest. Having sat and watched him train for a few weeks I thought I would give it a go as it seemed to be a hobby we could do together.
In my youth I trained in judo for two years, but never kept it up.
I achieved Shodan in April 2013 after training hard with my instructors, then started to teach at the club. This has given me great enjoyment to see my students improve and move up through their belts. This includes my own son who also achieved his Shodan in 2016.
Newport Pagnell Black Belt Karateka
Kieren Herbert
I have trained in Shotokan Karate for 8 years, and on 23rd April 2016 I was awarded my Shodan.
I originally started karate as a hobby and something fun to do, however when I moved up to secondary school I began to take it more seriously.
Karate has taught me how to have more respect for myself and for others. I've learnt self-defense and become a better person all round.
I enjoy teaching and passing on my knowledge of karate to others so they can improve too.
Elizabeth Beecroft
A mother of 2, and never in a million years thought about training in a martial art. However, in March 2012 my son asked me to come along and join in with his karate class. Both children train at Newport Pagnell Karate Club.
Within a few weeks it was clear that I was going to enjoy this martial art and a short time later I was over the moon to be graded for the first time.
Over the years that have followed, I have moved through my belts and in April 2016 was awarded my Shodan black belt (1st level).
Karate has truly changed my life and been an outlet for me when life has been tough. It's given me the confidence to believe in myself, and along the way I can truly say been blessed with some amazing friendships.
Jamie Norman
I first started a basic from of karate when I was about 10 years old, being sent there by my parents. I discovered then how much I enjoyed it but only stayed for a year.
A few years later at 16, when I left school, I started karate again and this time found Shotokan. I trained until I was 4th Kyu but stopped training when I was18-19. I re-joined again about a year later, re-earned my 4th kyu and trained for another year until I reached 2nd Kyu, then due to reasons I had no control over at the time, I had to stop training.
Finally, a friend at work who wanted to start training and knew I had a history of karate talked me into starting again, still Shotokan but a different branch of teachers. Because it had been a couple of years since my last lesson I started again from a white belt and stuck with it and trained until my 1st Dan in April 2016.
When I was with my last karate club I trained in sun-kun-do for a year and love to watch and learn things from other forms of martial arts, but Karate and especially Shotokan has always been there for me and I don’t plan on leaving again any time soon.