MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
By Hanshi Taylor
The year 2002, saw the opening of a Martial Arts Centre, at the Old Rechabite Hall, Gwyddon Road, Abercarn
The Abercarn Judo Club was founded in 1949, by Leighton Jenkins and some of the locals; they initially practiced in the Old Salvation Hall at the bottom of Newbridge Park. Members belonged to the Gramophone Club, who played records and exchanged them with one another. When the premises were closed, Fred Taylor, invited them to use the Newbridge Boxing club premises, the Judo club practiced on the nights not used by the boxing club.
When Larry Evans joined the club, his parents kept the Commercial in Abercan, which was the rent department of the Llanover Estate. Mrs Evans persuaded the Llanover Estate, to clean up the old basement under Victoria Buildings, for the Judo club to use. Their first priority was to obtain a mat to practice on.
They could not afford to purchase one, so Leighton, being a carpenter, hit on the idea of using wood shavings off the wood planer and so arranged with his boss, to collect the shavings weekly; eventually they had enough to make a mat and purchased a canvas from the Sail Makers in Newport.
The building was in a bad state of repair through non-use, however after much work, the Judo club moved in. The club opened in May 1955 and Dr Forbes and Mrs Evans were made President and Vice President.
Very little Martial Arts were practiced in Wales at that time and so the club members had to travel quiet a lot to get experience. They used to invite a senior teacher, Mr Len Crew, to the club at weekends every quarter, to instruct and grade them.
Gunji Kiosumi (UK) as he was affectionately known, was head of the British Judo association (BJA) and he set up cup competition in Wales. Abercarn Judo club were the first club to win the cup and they were very proud to be presented with the cup, by Sensei Gunji Kiosumi himself, at a display in Cardiff.
The Abercarn club produced seven Dan Grades (Black Belts), the most famous of these was the late Terry Edmunds, who was Police Champion of Great Britain, for five years running. Sadly they had to give the Club and premises up, as not enough interest was shown at that time, to cover the cost of the rent.
Over the next 60 years, Leighton Jenkins continued his teachings all over the UK and Europe and he achieved the highest honour that a martial arts person can be awarded outside of Japan.
Leighton was honoured to have his 7th Dan (Shichidan) and Master Teacher (Kyoshi) awarded to him on May 18th 1995, when the first ever Martial Arts seminar was held in the UK by the Greater Japan Martial Virtues Society; the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK) by Dr Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, 9th Dan Hanshi, the international representative of the DBNK.
The rank of 8th Dan (Hachi Dan) and Honoury title of Master of the Way (Hanshi), Shi meaning “Samurai Status”, was bestowed upon Leighton, at the summer training camp, held at Tenby in April 2000, by Alfred Bates – Kancho, representative of DNBK.
The rank of Kyudan Hanshi was presented to Hanshi Jenkins, by Kancho Bates in November 2004. On 26th November 2004, Kancho Bates, Hanshi and his wife Christine travelled from Kent to present this award to Hanshi Jenkins. Kancho and Christine were both my guests at this time and although Kancho was himself, very ill at the time, he found the strength and spirit of Kyushin to be with Hanshi Jenkins, for this final tribute, from one great Master to another. Sadly Hanshi Jenkins passed away a few days after this award.
The Martial Arts Centre at the Old Rechabite Hall, has been continued in Leightons Honour and will continue to follow his high standards of Respect, Loyalty and Dedication that he showed to the martial arts, for over 60 years
I travelled in the UK and Europe with Leighton, where he is highly respected and has set a high moral standard for others to follow. In Leightons honour, the Martial Arts Centre is a centre of excellence for anyone wishing to learn Martial arts and Self Defence and is a fitting tribute to Leighton and the other instructors who sowed the seeds for others to follow so many years ago.
Today, the Martial Arts Centre is run by highly qualified instructors who were presented with their ranks and tittles by Kancho Bates Hanshi - Tokushima Budo Council and Dr Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada 9th Dan Hanshi – The Greater Japan Martial Arts Virtue Society International Division. Ranks and Tittles were also ratified at the first ever, Martial Arts seminar, held in the UK by the DNBK, May 20th 1995.
I was associated with Leighton for over 25 years; it has been an honour and a privilege to have known Hanshi Jenkins, he will always be remembered for his high standards and his devotion to Kyushin Budo.