Dear Members,

I would like to thank you all for my gift of the Buddha who has now been christened 'little Mick' of course any resemblance to any person living or not is purely coincidental.

It was a strange evening for me on Saturday. It was a very enjoyable evening with many of my oldest and long serving students being present to celebrate our time together. But it was tinged with sadness as my brother in law passed away on the Friday morning after fighting a long illness. He was only 40 years old. This was the reason my wife did not attend.

When I was presented with my 'little Mick' I wanted to say a few words. As you know I am very rarely stuck for something to say, but Saturday was a first for me. I cannot remember what I said to you all. It wouldn't be so bad if I could have blamed the beer but I was pretty much sober, for once I wasn't focused.

So here you have my thanks for the gift, Bernard did a great job organising the do, and Mick and Janet were very thoughtful with the gift. And it even got me out of the centre of the Universe. Long time students know where this is.

I have been so lucky to have such loyal students who enjoy their Aikido with me. It is them that have kept me going all these years. I know if Dave Hemming, Paul Derrick and Bernard Maloney hadn't have been so understanding of my nature in the past I wouldn't be able to have such a successful association around me as we have now. I cannot mention all the students who have helped me in my path through Aikido all I can do is thank them. We have had tears but most importantly we have had much more laughter and good times to out weigh them. And hopefully there will be lots more laughter and good times to come. I have had so much support over the years I am a very lucky man. It always touches me when Tony from Durham makes the long journey down to attend these do's. This time he wasn't drinking which makes it all the more special as Tony and I like to tell a few tales over a beer or two.

I apologise for rambling on but I thought I had best put a few thoughts down as those that were there missed my words of wisdom. And you thought you had escaped.

Once again THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

Shane Riley.