Kilgetty Shotokan Karate Club have had a cracking first year with a 100 per cent pass rate for all of its students.
Led by Sensei Ian Ratcliffe, 3rd Dan, the Kilgetty Shotokan Karate Club opened on February 14 with 12 members. Numbers have now grown to 23 children and five adults and a new group has also taken off well in Tavernspite Village Hall on Tuesday evenings.
After some generous donations from local businesses and fund-raising at Kilgetty Fun Day, a jumble sale and a prize bingo night, the club have now purchased two kick bags and other equipment. They have high hopes to raise more funds for a club minibus.
Parents have noticed that their children have grown in strength, confidence and co-ordination since joining the club. These skills were put into practice in the club's fourth gradings, on Saturday, with a return visit by Sensei Leigh Smith, 6th Dan. The three times world champion and three times European champion and black belt examiner was more than impressed with the club's progress.
"It's fantastic to see the club growing," he said. "I could see from the beginning with the people who were involved, it would be a great success. The students have really impressed me, there's a lot of pressure on them in the exams, but with the parents' support and teamwork that they have got, they can't fail to succeed."
A celebratory Christmas party was held in the evening after gradings, at the Wiseman's Bridge Inn, where students were presented with their new belts.
Red and white belts went to Grace Cloud and Emma Cain; red belts to Shannon Bradley, Millie Hawkins, Christian Dean and Steven Pilot; orange belts to Rowan Ashdown, Merlina Ashdown, Miles Johnson, Thomas Bowen, Dominic Cunningham, Carys Bowen, Cody Hayes-White, Ieuan Jones and Keiran Johnson; adults orange belts to Phil Williams, Sarah Williams, Dan Bradley, Neil Cunningham and Corina White; and yellow belts to Aimee Beynon, Leah Duffy, Shannon Shields and Georgia Thompson.
Each student received a medal for 100 per cent effort and special awards were given for: best confidence built - Thomas Bowen; best determination - Miles Johnson. Runner-up student of the year boy was Codie Hayes-White and girl was Carys Bowen. Student of the year girl went to Aimee Beynon and boy was Dominic Cunningham.
The party room was packed with children and parents, who had a great evening with some lovely food. There was even a surprise visit from Santa, who gave the students a gift of a Kilgetty Shotokan Karate fleece.
Sensei Ian Ratcliffe said: "I can't tell you how proud I am of my students. They have shown 100 per cent dedication and commitment."
Kilgetty Shotokan Karate Club meets in Kilgetty Scout Hut on Thursday and Friday evenings from 6.30 to 8 pm, and on Tuesdays in Tavernspite Village Hall from 7 to 8 pm. Cost for children and adults is £2 per session. If anyone would like to join the class, please call 01834 811713 or turn up at one of the sessions to register.
Thanks were expressed to Kilgetty RAOB Club, Kilgetty Fish Bar, Nikki Banner, Mrs. Sue Shields and Mrs. Vera Phillips for their help in fund-raising, to the Wiseman's Bridge Inn for their hospitality, and Kilgetty Scouts for the use of their hall.