On Thursday 20th June, four members of Newton Aycliffe Karate Club successfully passed their gradings.

Sean Wilson passed his 7th Kyu Orange belt and young karateka Christopher Mole, and Sisters Marina and Isabella Kejelin all passed their 2nd Mon; two Orange tags.

This was a complete surprise for the students, who thought they were just doing a trial run of their grading syllabus, but the instructors, Sensei’s Andy Bailey and Steve Wilkinson, were so impressed by their effort and standard that they decided to award them the grades there and then.

Newton Aycliffe Karate Club is a family orientated Karate Dojo which has over 40 years of history in the town. It offers a practical form of self defence whilst instilling respect and self discipline and providing a fun way to keep fit.

The Dojo is based at Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre with classes open to all from six years up. They offer two sessions a week, on Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm for children and to 9pm for adults, then on Thursdays, 6.30pm to 7.30pm for all.

The club is a not for profit organisation and all its instructors are fully vetted and insured volunteers.

In order to ensure that it’s inclusive to all, prices are kept low.

Contact Andy on 07999 501379 or email naanshinryu@gmail.com for information. Also check out the club’s Facebook group.