There are plenty of resources on the web that deal with the history of Aikido as a martial art, but we thought it useful to put together a brief history of our club. This is taken from various sources and past students of the club. However, we are always interested in refining this brief history and input from past members or those who were involved in the early days is always welcome.
It is important to be aware that some styles have evolved over a period of time. Originally our style was called “Yoshinkan” but the style of Aikido we practice now is not the same as currently practiced by Yoshinkan clubs. In referring to styles we are not trying to offend, stir up debate or get involved in politics, this is simply a factual history. We respect all forms of Aikido, no matter what they are called and believe there is always something to learn from each other. Visiting instructors will invariably be asked to teach at our Dojo and find both our students and instructors open minded and keen to learn from different approaches.
The Epsom and Ewell Judo and Aikido Society was founded in the late 1950’s by Sensei Ron Thatcher at the Watermill in Ewell, Surrey. In 1966 the club moved to a new location at the Sutton Rugby Club in Cheam and was handed over to Sensei Thatcher’s senior student Donal G.Weir, then a 1st Dan.
Sensei Don Weir had begun studying martial arts in the army and had held the rank of Captain in the Royal Marines along with Dan grades in Ju-Jitsu and Karate. Don had also studied Aikido under Thomas Makiyama Sensei, who had in turn studied under Sensei Gozo Shioda. It is well known that Shioda Sensei is one of Ueshiba Sensei’s most senior students and this is just one of the ways we can trace our roots back to the founder of Aikido.
Makiyama Sensei was born in Hawaii and he achieved 8th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido and a certification as Shihan or “master instructor”. He is believed to be the only American who achieved that distinction at the time. Makiyama Sensei founded Keijutsukai Aikido a specialized method of defensive tactics for law enforcement personnel.
In 1981 Sensei Weir was graded to 4th Dan by Sensei M. Victor, a 5th Dan from the “Dojo of Aikido, Judo and Karate” in Paris France. At that time Sensei Victor was the highest ranking Sensei outside Japan. Sensei Victor documented the high standard of movement and discipline and the attitude towards Aikido and went to note that it was an exceptionally long grading with each student demonstrating between 300 and 400 movements. A number of other Dan grades were also promoted including Sensei George Thornton, Sensei Vic Hawkins and Sensei John Jenkins, who all went on to instruct many club members past and present.
In 1983 Sensei Weir moved to the West Country and leaving the club in the hands of his senior student Sensei Ronald Walters, then 3rd Dan. Ron had also studied under Kenshiro Abbe Sensei who introduced Aikido to the United Kingdom in 1955 having trained under Ueshiba Sensei for more than a decade.
Ron also held a Dan grade in Tomiki Aikido having studied under Senta Yamada Sensei who brought the Tomiki style to the UK in 1959. In 1984 Ron Walters also moved to Devon, handing over the running of the club to Sensei John Jenkin, at that time 2nd Dan and senior student. By this time a number of Dan grades from Epsom and Ewell had established their own clubs, forming a loose association with Sensei Don Weir at the head.
From 1988, Epsom and Ewell was been run by Sensei Stewart Rolland who trained to 1st Dan under Sensei Don Weir who also graded him to to 6th Dan in the late 1990’s. Stewart has gone on to not just preserve Don’s style of Aikido but also his exceptionally high technical standards.
In 2019 Sensei Danny Thomas took over as chief instructor at the club, while Stewart remains involved as Head Coach. Danny has been at the club since 1985 and trained extensively with Stewart and many of his predecessors, but also with other clubs and styles, including more than 10 years instructing at Woking Aikido Club. He is recognised as a 1st Dan and has a level 1 coaching certifcate from the British Aikido Board ( although Epsom and Ewell are not affiliated to the BAB) and is able to teach weapons Kata with the Jo and Bokken (wooden staff and sword).
A number of other clubs that can trace their roots back to Epsom and Ewell include:
Crawley Aikido Club under Sensei Tony Neeve
Koshinkan Aikido formerly under the late Sensei John Jenkin
Makotokan Aikido under Sensei Tony Hughes
Queen Mary’s University London under Sensei Rick Cousins
Over the years some of these clubs have developed their Aikido in different ways which is very much in the spirit of Epsom and Ewell’s culture; that there is no one perfect style of Aikido or even one perfect martial art.
Over the years many other accomplished Sensei have trained with Epsom and Ewell Aikido Club, including Sensei Ken Broome now 7th Dan (JAA Shihan) and Sensei Fred Haynes 6th.dan I.Y.A.F. (Canada).
