Well, may I start the first newsletter of 2006 with a big Happy New Year.

2005 has been quite a year for the White Rose in more ways than one. Looking back over 2005 the White Rose has not only achieved a great deal "in house" but outside the association as well.

March 2005, Course and Grading held at Dewsbury Sports Centre with Shihan Terry Bayliss. Keith Willerton and Liz Wilson both were awarded Sho-Dan and Tony Richards was also awarded Ni-Dan.

May 2005 saw Sensei Cottier at Dewsbury Sports Centre with many students attending from as far afield as Peterborough!

June 2005 The White Rose travelled to Northern Ireland and conducted a seminar which also raised £3500.00 for the local breast cancer charity.
Also in June, a course and Grading took place at Durham which saw Sensei Bernard Maloney promoted to Yon-Dan and Keith Murray promoted to Ni-Dan.
Sensei Riley was interviewed by the Australian based Mi Magazine on Ma-ai Critical Fighting Distance.

July 2005, Ashley took over the running of the website and conducting interviews with senior Dan grades within the association.
Mi Magazine did their first student interview with the White Rose.
The website got its own webstore which accepts credit/debit card transactions.

August 2005, The association DVD recieved DVD of the month in Combat Magazine.
Sensei Riley and a number of his students attended Abbe Sensei's 50th Anniversary seminar at Crystal Palace.
John Manderson again visited from the Bermuda Aikikai.

September 2005, Sensei Riley had a 7 page spread interview in Martial Arts Illustrated.
Course & Grading at Silcoates school. Sensei's Riley, Heseltine and Pryce split the teaching with many variations taught by all Sensei's.
Sensei Bernard Crossley was awarded Yon-Dan and Joe Maung was awarded Sho-Dan.
The new White Rose Aikikai Baseball cap was unveiled.

October 2005, Sensei Terry Ezra course at Rothwell sports centre. It was well attended with White Rose & outside association students.
Sensei Riley had his 30th Anniversay celebrations at tristan dance studio's.
Website unveiled the new White Rose Aikikai forum.

November 2005, Huddersfield Dojo relocated.
The new association T-Shirt was unveiled.
Sensei Riley conducted a seminar at the Lancaster Aikikai.

December 2005, Sensei Cottier course held at Wakefield City High School. Well attended by both White Rose & outside association students.
Yudansha grading also on the course where Ashley Scholefield & Tim Gerrard were both awarded Sho-Dan.
New association T-Shirt was launched.
Christmas & New year class at Mirfield Budokai.
Kyu gradings at Dewsbury sports centre.
Articles on Aikido from the White Rose on Which Martial Art.com.

These are only a brief indication of the acheivements the White Rose made in 2005 and by looking at these I am sure I speak for all the association members when I say that it is an honour to be a part of this outstanding association. Thankyou to Sensei Riley and to everyone who assists in making this association what it is today.

Photo Gallery.

If you have not already seen the new photo's on the website than please do browse through them. They consist of,

December 2005 Yudansha gradings,
Sensei Riley's 30th Anniversay Celebrations,
Sensei Ezra course,
Sensei Cottier Course.

I have managed to improve the quality of the images on these pages, there are still other categories to do so please be patient as it does take some time.

Budokai Class (Xmas & New Year).

Sensei Riley took the class on the 28th December at the budokai in Mirfield. The class was nice and steady with a lot of focus on ki energy and body blending.

Plans for 2006.

Sensei Riley intends to conduct both instructor courses and Yudansha courses in 2006.
The instructor course is to enable Sensei Riley to determine how basic techniques are taught to beginners.
The Yudanshsa course is for 1st Kyu - Yudansha students only, to enable Sensei Riley to see how senior students in the association are progressing and hopefully educate them on any bad habits they may have picked up over the years.

Usual course's & Gradings will also take place throughout the year with the first planned for March with Shihan Bayliss hopefully visiting us again. No plans are set in stone as yet, however further details of future upcoming events will be advertised on the Homepage as well as newsletters.

Schedule.

If you are requiring information regarding dates of classes in the New Year, please refer to the Schedules pages, accessible through the Contents Page.

The first class back is Tuesday 3rd January 2006 at Dewsbury Sports Centre.

Dan Grade Interviews.

I would like to thank everyone who sent in questions for Janet's interview. I should have the page up on the site in the next couple of weeks.

Guestbook.

Thankyou to those that have already signed the guestbook. This feature is for everyone so whether you are a member of not please feel free to leave your comments.
Your comments don't have to be about the website, they can be about anything you wish. As I have seen from other websites with this feature, when there are a good number of comments in the guestbook, it does make for interesting reading.

Again all the best for 2006!!

Newsletter By Ashley Scholefield.

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