|
Very sad to announce the death of Mick's elder brother Sensie Gerry Grey on 31st May 2020. A much loved uncle and inspirational Karateka. Gerry leaves a fine legacy, but also a big gap x SKCE announcement:
  From the SKC England website July 4th 2019:
"The SKC England committee has awarded chairman, Sensei Gerry Grey 6th Dan in recognition of his tireless commitment and dedication to the development of the association. Sensei Gerry started training in 1973 and has helped administer both the KUGB and JKA England before becoming a founder member of SKC England. We are honoured to have him as our chairman." www.skcengland.co.uk 2 photo's from a public demo by The Queensway Shotokan Karate Club, Wellingborough (Late 70's)   Press cutting from November 1980  Author's note: The Queensway club ran a memorial trophy for many years in recognition of Maurice's karate. I recall Ronnie Baxter was the first recipient in 1981.
 Press cutting from February 1979 Sensei Tomita at the Queensway Club grading TRANSCRIPTION
Caption: Debbie Grey and Roger Ayres prepare to start their grading programme under the expert eye of Sensei Tomita Headline: Lucky thirteen Text: THIRTEEN proved a lucky number for 21 members of the Queensway Shotokan Karate Club. For in the club's 13th grading session since their inception in January 1974, 21 Students were considered. And all were accepted. The latest successful entries brought the total of grades awarded to 596 - ranging from 9th kyu or White belt to 1st kyu (brown and white belt.) As their name implies the Queensway club practises the Shotokan form of karate and are members of the Karate Union of Great Britain— the sport's largest Organisation outside Japan. The club was tounded at Queensway Hall Wellingborough by second Dan Mike Grey, who runs sessions at Wellingborough on Mondays and Wednesdays and at Corby on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He is assisted by three other first Dans. all of whom started with the club as beginners. Judging Oueensway's latest grading session was One of the Karate Union of Great Britain's three resident Japanese instructors — fifth Dan Sensei Tomita. Queensway were originally hoping for the services of the Chief instructor of Great Britain and Europe, eighth Dan Master Enoeda, the comer all Japan and World Champion who has been resident in this country since 1967. Enoeda, however. was unable to attend. although he would surely have been impressed by the progress of the Queensway students on show. Perhaps some of them will one day enjoy the success of the British team of two years ago which, under the guidance of Enoeda, grabbed the title and became, in the process, the only national selection ever to defeat Japan. Queensway encourage new members and anyone interested in joining should contact Mr Grey...  Press cutting from January 1975
Sensei Enoeda presides over a weekend course at The Queensaway Shotokan Karate Club, Wellingborough Many thanks to Sensei Gerry Grey for his recent post on the SKCEngland website... "Some months ago my nephew Matthew Grey asked if I could help him build a memorial website to his late father and my younger brother Mick (Mike) Grey 5th dan without whom I would never have started this wonderful journey of my lifetime – karate.
As a youngster Mike was constantly handicapped by severe bronchial asthma which was so debilitating that he would hardly be able to run up the stairs without collapsing, but he had a great heart and was so determined that one day he would eventually be able to lead a ‘normal’ life. We used to train together at night in those days running to help build his lung capacity and stamina. Eventually he progressed sufficiently and thankfully discovered what in those days was an obscure sport when to my surprise he took up karate. Initially he trained in Wadoryu but his life was to change dramatically when he discovered the style Shotokan which brought him into contact and influence of Sensei Enoeda, JKA and KUGB. The rest is history as they say. I have added a link to [goodkarate.org] so you can see just how lucky I was to have been introduced to Shotokan Karate by Mike as so many other were until his untimely death from cancer in 1991 aged just 44. It is important for us all to always acknowledge and remember our heritage especially from someone who displayed excellent karate techniques and positive attributes so I hope you will get some enjoyment as I did recalling the many excellent moments Mike and I spent together in the dojo starting nearly 50 years ago." Found a few still shots from the demo at The Archway Club Windsor mid-80's [still working on the video with audio to capture the narrative - but also just to ring out the sound of the sledgehammer on slab] Excerpts from John L. Anderson's 1974 photo shoot for "The Basic Forms of Shotokan Karate" book, showing Mick Grey perfectly performing a variety of Kumite techniques.
A portrait of Sensei Mick Grey 5th Dan in his early days, circa 1974   10th of May 1974 Mick Grey and Mick Dewey take their Nidan grade Grading Senseis Shirai, Enoeda, Kon, Kato and Tomita  Mick's KUGB Licence including Sensei Enoeda's 4th Dan registration.    空手 1st July 1970 KARATE-DO KYOHANGICHIN FUNOKOSHI (First edition 1974 Ward Lock)  Author's note: Thank you Lee, although I know not who you were. This book was Mick's most important reference and this copy has been one of my few ever-present possessions for the last 25 years (page 234 continues to amuse, inspire and illuminate).
A few shots of the Dojo at The Archway Club, 3 Goswell Hill. Windsor. Mid 80's
 Spring 2017 Windsor
Mick's grandchildren Maya (5) and Bali (8) have started training at The Fifield Dojo under Sensei Debbie Richards. #GoodKarate part one: GERRY GREY |
 |  |  |