Early 1960s Aikido Newspaper Cuttings

Early 1960s Newspaper Cutting - Henry Ellis & Derek Eastman.

Henry Ellis and Derek Eastman made what was in the early 1960s a major breakthrough for Aikido - it was accepted by the `UK Further Education System`.This class was the first such class.Many of the ladies in the class were school teachers, they thought that Ellis Sensei was hard and cruel for throwing Derek Eastman around the mat. After class there was a tea room where I would be standing on my own. Derek would have all the ladies fussing around him,he was getting more fancy cakes than any man could eat.I was never even offered a broken biscuit. This went on for several weeks until I learned that Derek was telling these ladies that I was not only cruel to him at their class, but also back at the Hut Dojo and everywhere else.He was loving all the fussing care and attention.

Henry Ellis
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1963 - Opening of the first `Bracknell Aikido Dojo` - Bracknell News.

Henry Ellis a pioneer of UK Aikido was the first dan grade to open his own dojo outside of the famous `Hut Dojo`. In 1963 Ellis opened the first Bracknell Aikido Dojo almost 50 years later there is still a `Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido` in Bracknell.
The photo in the newspaper is Ken Williams Sensei the first UK student of Aikido with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei. Williams Sensei was the national coach for UK Aikido - Henry Ellis was Sensei Williams personal assistant.

Henry Ellis





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1963 - Opening of the first `Bracknell Aikido Dojo` - Bracknell Standard.

Ken Williams Sensei throwing Henry Ellis and BIG Ron James who is the one sprawled on the mat.We were very fortunate to get a lot of publicity for the new dojo which became an instant success and continues to be so today some 50 years later.

Henry Ellis





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1963 Opening of the Bracknell Dojo - Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido.

Ken Williams Sensei throwing Big Ron James in a public demonstration at the new Bracknell dojo.

Henry Ellis












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TK Chiba Sensei 1968 Summer School Bracknell - Geoff Goodwin a favourite student of Chiba Sensei.

Geoff Goodwin 2nd dan was a favourite uke of Chiba Sensei - Geoff was one of the toughest guys you will ever meet - a natural and devastating street fighter. Chiba Sensei described him as one of the most dangerous men he had ever met.
Geoff was my personal assistant for several years.

Henry Ellis



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Rik Ellis and his Planned Visit to the USA

Rik Ellis and his father Henry Ellis had been invited to visit New Mexico USA in 2011 - This visited had to be re-scheduled for later in 2012.

Henry Ellis









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Early Aikido in Glasgow Scotland - 1960?


Early Aikido in Glasgow Scotland - 1960?

Henry Ellis with lady student Ms Fay Laurie. I believe this photo was of a seminar at Tom Weir Sensei's dojo in Glasgow Scotland. Weir Sensei was the first Aikido dan grade in Scotland and became the official Aikido representative to Ken Williams Sensei and the British Aikido Council - BAC - under the direction of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.

Henry Ellis





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