A LOCAL karate teacher is celebrating over 30 years in the town and encouraging the people of Westbury to try their hand at the martial art.
Stephen Cox, who runs Westbury White Horse Karate Club, has been teaching in the town since 1984 after inheriting the club just three years after he took up the discipline.
Stephen said, “I first began karate in 1983 under Peter Deveroux 2nd dan. Peter had been running the Westbury White Horse Karate Club since 1981 when my two children had started, aged six and nine. Just two years later they became Peter’s first students to achieve their first dan black belt.
“In January 1984 Peter explained that he had to give up the club for personal reasons, and I accepted his request that I take over the club. At that point I was a purple belt (4th Kyu).
“I have since run the club for the past 30 years. My son (3rd dan), daughter (2nd dan) and a number of club students have won gold, silver, and bronze medals representing the club at national competitions.
“Our students have also represented us in Germany, Romania, Holland, and Spain, again achieving various gold, silver and bronze medals.
“My longest training students are John McAllister (4th dan), who started when he was six years old and is now 33, and Stephen Salter (3rd dan), who has been with me for the past 25 years. Both John and Stephen assist me in running the club, supported by a number of other black belt students.
“My proudest day in karate, was when myself, my son and my daughter were awarded our second dans on the same day at Crystal Palace, under sensei Eneoda.
“Anyone can join the club to get fit, learn self-defence, meet other people, or to continue as an already practising student. I look forward to hearing from you!”
The Westbury White Horse Karate Club meet on Mondays at the Leighton Recreation Centre from 7-8pm; on Wednesdays at Westbury Leigh School from 7-8pm, or a seniors only session from 8-9pm; and on Fridays at Matravers School from 6-7pm.
The first lesson is free and anyone interested is welcome to turn up with no obligations. From then on sessions will be paid on a as-you-train basis.
For more details contact Stephen on 07800 776104, or wwhkarateclub@hotmail.co.uk.
