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Writer's pictureMatt Powell

Fellowships and Cobblers

Updated: Sep 25

The first movie in the lord of the rings franchise is called the fellowship of the ring and was released in December 2001. I clearly remember visiting the then brand-new cinema at Gunwharf Quays to watch the movie.


Back then I was a young black belt and fresh-faced design graduate living at home with my parents, with not a single grey-hair in site.


At the time I was focused on my career in the packaging industry and karate was my hobby and escape from the real-time pressures of life. In 2001 teaching karate as a career would have been a fantasy for me akin to the famous works by JRR Tolkien.


Last Friday I arrived at Inverness airport after dodging a horrendous rainstorm that would have graced the gloom of Mordor itself. As we landed the pilot explained that if the flight had been delayed for a further two minutes our journey would have been cancelled. I was glad we had made it; I really enjoy my visits to work with my fellows of the Highland Karate Association. 


I was soon greeted by Kevin Slaney Sensei and as we set off to accommodation, he explained that when we arrived, he had a Sottish delicacy for me to sample for the first time.

In stark contrast to Gatwick the sun was shining in Inverness, and we arrived at our Air BnB in double quick time.


From the outside our accommodation for the weekend looked deceptively small but it proved not to be a hobbit-house at all. It had for many years been the local Cobblers shop repairing shoes, boots and the like for many generations. Its new owners had beautifully converted it to a two-bedroom house which makes for very comfortable lodging indeed.



When I saw the house name ‘The Cobblers’, it made me laugh as Kev and I often spend our time together talking karate in depth for many hours as we ‘geek out’ in each other’s company. I am sure some would comment that we are simply talking cobblers. (Which at face value is a more colourful synonym for "nonsense").


Once we had a fresh coffee in hand the Scottish delicacy was delivered, a Dream Ring from the Harry Gow Bakery!


Until this moment I was naive to this calorie heavy delight. But from this moment I am in no two minds that there is indeedOne ring to rule them all!



In the novels whoever carries the ring is at the mercy of its powers and can easily be corrupted. Suddenly I knew how Frodo felt. I was on a sugar high and charged up for the teaching ahead.


When we arrived at the leisure centre, I found a quiet corner of the café to review my timings and was soon greeted by my good friend Phil Owen Sensei, the stoic presence of Brian and the friendly and always hilarious Cuthy, who is so much fun to be around.


AKA on tour Matt Powell in Inverness 2024

Sensei Slaney had asked me to teach elements of the senior kata Gojushiho-Sho and due to its complexity and length we had agreed that I would split this content over the two days. My focus for the Friday course was to be the use of your lateral muscles to control opponents.


After changing into my Gi I approached the now familiar territory and was greeted by Juli and Steve from Morpeth. It’s always good to see the smile on Juli’s face that can only mean one thing.

Steve is about to get a battering!


This was my fourth trip to teach for the HKA and each time I teach I feel I have gotten to know and appreciate more of the members.


Just like Tolkein’s fellowship, the dojo was filled with a mix of wisdom, humour, youthful Vigor and those blessed with the experience gifted from lives well lived. It is always great to see everyone, but I particularly appreciate those training whose age and experience is greater than mine.


The class was soon underway, and Gordy and Phil were soon going to work, while Stewart and Kevin Stuart had focused pair ups. The first time I met Kevin he was recovering from serious knee issues and despite the need to work in a bionic knee brace I could clearly see the results of his focused training since then.


The class was busy and fun to teach. The young warriors Finlay and Josh were sadly not training this time, but it was great to see Josh have success at the Kanzen Cup on Sunday. Whilst I missed demonstrating on these two excellent karate-ka it was nice to utilise Mr Duffy in their absence.


I have seen a big change in Callum since my first visit and he proved a sharp and excellent Uke (assistant) no doubt fuelled by adrenaline in anticipation of his grading looming the next day.


Unfortunately, Colin had been delayed by some horrendous traffic, but Grace, Libby and other familiar faces were all training, and the class was energised and diverse.


The ninety-minutes of training flew by, and Kev and I were soon greeted by Ethan ad his dad Scotty who had also decided that only a Chinese meal would do. We departed the Fat Buddha restaurant with our takeaways in hand and headed back to talk Cobblers until the wee early hours.


Regardless of the events of the previous day my body clock kicked in and I was awake at 5am. I forced myself to rest for a further hour before I was up and ready. Kev and I then did some quick site seeing in the town. Okay the truth is we headed to a former record shop called Rendezvous Café to sample the best cooked breakfast around. (After my visit last May, it would be inappropriate to not invest in a daily quota of black pudding).


The Saturday training was the main event with gradings scheduled for the day in addition to the group classes. Sensei Ronnie Ross was in attendance, and he briefed me on the challenges of acoustics in the sports hall especially with the large numbers and mixed classes.


Ronnie Sensei led the introductions and bow and after the initial warmups the curtain was drawn and the hall split in two. Sensei took the brown and black belts while I worked with the kyu grades (coloured belts) for the next sixty minutes.


Back in 2001 I was early in my career as my Sensei’s assistant. Merv very graciously allowed me to grow and develop my style in my own way. But he was always on hand to offer feedback, support and advice. Two of his tenants were:


Adapt and overcome

And

Turn a disadvantage into an advantage.


Sensei Ross was right; it was clear that acoustics would be a challenge, but I had a plan.

Recently I have been fuelled by conversations with one of my karate mentors about the nervous system and unconscious response. Consequently, I have devised drills using tennis balls to encourage development of neurological pathways and reflex. I called the large group round explained the theme of the class and we went to work.


Scotty was soon throwing some big legs and so was my Uke for this class John whose epic Viking-esq beard would grace any Lord of the Rings movie.


For the second half of the class, we then worked on accuracy, control and form in kicking while still responding to visual not verbal cues. We finished the class with kata revision, and I wished the group well for their gradings.


For the next hour it was my responsibility to conclude our work on Gojushiho-Sho with the Brown and Black Belts. After some revision of Fridays work thus far my focus was the presence of neck and head control throughout the kata.


Once again Callum was at the business end of my demonstrations, and it was an honour to be working alongside Sensei Ross who added context and flavour to some of the sections.

We finished the class with some kata-based sparring. The aim was to apply the essence of the kata, its movements and feel without rehearsal and forced compliance. It wasn’t easy but hopefully thought provoking and fun.


After the class we were briefed by Sensei to not leave the hall as something special was about to take place.


The hall bustled with anticipation as we gathered behind Ronnie Sensei who began to make his speech.


Sensei Phil Owens face initially hardened as he clearly wondered what was at hand. Then as Ronnie spoke so powerfully and fondly of a forty-year collaboration, many eyes in the room welled as Phil was presented with his well-earned seventh dan grade.


Phil owen Sensei 7th Dan presentation 2024

I first met Phil training together with Sensei Hazard on the isle of wight in 2012. I would always train on these courses, often as the only member from my cohort. The consequence was that I met many wonderful people and had some great experiences.


Before our meeting I was aware of Phil as he is mentioned fondly in Sensei’s book (Born Fighter) and my friends Simon Staples and Terry Oliver had talked of him with respect and fondness.


Sensei's Owen and Ross archive image courtesy of Ronnie Ross.

Phil has a kindness and a gentle way of being that can only be authentically portrayed when the karate-ka is secure and wise of their own capacity and experience.

Phil is tough. Very tough!


Here I am reminded of the seven virtues of bushido, particularly that of Jin (Compassion) and I quote:


Jin. Through intense training and hard work the true warrior becomes quick and strong. They are not as most people. They develop a power that must be used for good. They have compassion. They help their fellow man at every opportunity.


In my opinion (and I am sure in the opinion of everyone who knows the man), Phil is the embodiment of ‘Jin’.

Japan 1990 Sensei Owen and Ross with notable british karate-ka at Yahara Sensei's Special course. Courtesy of Bobby Bamgboye

The hall was an emotional mix of happiness and intensity as the kyu grades departed and the curtain was drawn for the black-belt grading. I was proud to take a seat at the table and observe the proceedings.


Congratulations Harvey, Callum and Joli on your success. It was also a privilege (and fun) to see Neil and Cuthy’s responses in the self-defence sections.


HKA 2024 Succesful Dan graders

After the grading and presentations, we enjoyed a coffee at a local garden centre and it was so nice to sit round the table, listening to some fantastic stories and laughing away.


Back in 2001 I used to go to the White Hart Pub in Portchester after training and sit with my seniors from the dojo in a very similar way. I hadn’t realised how much I missed that, and it was great to feel that friendship again albeit with a different fellowship, but one connected through shared lineage and friendship.


It was soon time to depart, and Kev and I headed off down the road to our accommodation for a spruce up before heading for pizza and some refreshment in town. We then spoke cobblers once again till one in the morning.


Sunday morning it was wonderful to close the weekend with a visit to Anne and Phils house for wee bit of makiwara practice, coffee and cake. Phil is a skilled tradesman who whilst allegedly retired seems busier than ever. 😊


When we spoke of our accommodation for the weekend Phil told us that before it was converted to a house, he had visited it for many years to have his Nail bags sewn and repaired.


It struck me that when you pay attention,


everything is connected, and we are all have a part to play in a bigger story.


For me last weekends story was about Phil, and Phils story resembles the fellowship of the ring.

It is about friendship and dignity!


Thanks for the invite.



Yahara Senseis course - Spot Sensei Owen courtesy of Bobby Bamgboye

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