Kai Shin Kai Officer
Chief Instructor / Examiner
Bill Harris
Bill started Aikido some forty plus years ago. His current is status 7th Dan, Chief Instructor / Examiner.
Aikido changes everyone's life and it is constantly in your thoughts - I believe it helps to make you a better
person. The practice of Aikido brings friendships from differing walks of life and many of these friendships remain lifelong and have enriched my life.
Alliance Insurance Officer
Vincent Sumpter
Born in August 1943, Vincent started his aikido in 1974 at the Aikikai Foundation Headquarters, Hombu Dojo, Japan, under the instruction of Shihan Seijiro Masuda (8th Dan). Graded to Shodan in 1977 (Certificate signed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba, [the then] Doshu of Hombu Dojo and the IAF), Vincent left Japan in August 1977 and on return to England commenced regular practice at Oxford University under Sensei Minoru Kanetsuka (7th Dan).
He was Graded to Nidan in 1987 (Certificate signed by Kisshomaru Ueshiba). In 1986 he joined the Kai Shin Kai and was graded to Sandan in 1988, Yondan in 1990 (these grades are authenticated by the Japan Aikido Association [JAA]), Godan in 1997, and Rokudan in 2009.
Vincent teaches regularly at venues throughout the UK and Europe; being a Guest instructor at the LEEDS BAA Tomiki Summer School, each year between 1991 and 2005, and an annual visitor to our KSK clubs in Italy since 1989. He has also made a number of trips to Minsk, Belarussia, where he taught Bokken and Jo- jutsu to the Aikikai registered group there.
His wider aikido c.v. includes his being Secretary of the British Aikido Association from 1987 to 1994 and registrar of the Kai Shin Kai from 1994 to 2004. He was also Chairman of the British Aikido Board from 2002 to 2014.
Senior Instructor
Steve Lindsey
I started my journey in Aikido in Newport in September 1974, under the instruction of Sensei Graham Thomas. At this time the club was a member of the Gwent Aikikai and associated to the British Aikikai under overall direction of Sensei Ken Williams.
The Newport Club stayed with Sensei Williams when he aligned with Tohei Sensei after the formation of the Ki No Kenkukai, and remained with him when he left to form the Ki Federation of Great Britain 10 years later.
I graded to 1st Dan under Sensei Williams in Feb 1989 and took over the teaching of Aikido in the Newport Club when my brother, who was 4th Dan at the time, moved out of the area and opened the Newbury Aikido Club early in 1990.
I graded to 2nd Dan under Sensei Williams two years later in February 1991.
The Newbury and Newport clubs disassociated with the Ki Federation in 1992 and the Ninkukai Aikido Association was formed under the direction of Sensei Mike Lindsey.
I graded to 3rd Dan in May 1995.
In 1997, myself and the Newport Club aligned with the Kai Shin Kai, and thus with the Aikido Alliance, where we hopefully will remain.
I graded to 4th Dan under Senseis Mike Smith and Bill Harris in October 2002, and was awarded my 5th Dan by Sensei Bill Harris in April 2010.
During this time I have had the pleasure of training with some wonderful Aikidoka all across the UK and also Italy, Canada and Cuba.
I was happy with Shomeuchi Iriminage in 1976 but it’s been all downhill since then...
Treasurer / Senior Instructor / Association Coach Tutor / Coaching Liasion Officer
Martyn Tyas
Martyn started his Aikido training in 1993 with Sensei Vincent Sumpter in Witney having been inspired by watching Steven Segal in the film Nico.
Martyn founded the Bicester Club 1997 but still continued to train under Vincent until 2005 when he took over the running of the Bicester club.
He gained his 1st kyu (brown belt) whist training in Italy in 1999.
Since then he has trained and taught in Italy on several occasions. He gained his Shodan (black belt) in 2000, Nidan in 2005, Sandan in April 2009, and most recently Yondan in April 2015.
Martyn still continues to teach and emphasise the importance of weapons, in the same way he was taught by his sensei and believes that this training shows the true essence of Aikido.
Registrar
Philip Griffin
I’ve been trying to study aikido since I was 21, having seen a haunting example of the art at 13. I eventually encountered a club whilst in Lincolnshire. Now, having firmly migrated down South (it’s not much warmer, but it rains a little less) I am part of the Aylesbury Club and fulfil a role of Registrar for the KSK. It was a suggestion from Sensei Bill many years ago... be wary of suggestions from Sensei!!
Occasionally I’ll instruct on a course or help review a grading panel; again wise suggestions from Sensei Bill. …be wary of suggestions from Sensei!!
I now both instruct and attend the pub to dissect those sessions much less often but fortunately my Aikido quest continues, encountering lovely people from many parts of the world.
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
…as the song goes…
Association Coach Tutor
Brian Horsler
Brian assists in the running of Aylesbury club and is presently 4th dan. He also is very gentle in his technique considering who taught him.
Web Admin
Bob Salloway
Bob started Aikido in 1981. He has learned a lot since, but remains baffled by obsessive interest in training with sticks.