Peacocks Oldest Club

Tuesday, 01.07.2008

The Peacock Karate Club (PKC) was founded when the Peacock Gym opened at its current location in Caxton Street North (1993). The PKC's instructors Tom Enright (6th Dan), Alf Blackmore (4th Dan) and Terry Blackmore (4th Dan) have over 80 years of experience in karate between them. The instructors have studied all the main karate styles with eminent practitioners both nationally and internationally and have hosted several of the world's leading karate historians at the PKC itself. The PKC has also hosted instructors from Wing Chun, Escrima, Aikido, Judo, Hapkido and Tai Chi. With this experience the PKC has produced regional, national and international competitors, with the club winning its association team kumite (fighting) title as well as numerous individual titles, plus several students have been on the podium at the English Championships as well as tournaments in Germany, Ireland, Holland and many more. Also the instructors have represented England in traditional, semi and full-contact tournaments. However the main focus of the class isn't about competition it is about giving people confidence in their own self-defence, as well as propagating an atmosphere of self and mutual respect, self-discipline and a good ethos towards training and your fellow students. The PKC embodies a real family atmosphere, anyone over the age of 5 years old and fit and able to participate in a contact sport are welcome. The cost of each lesson is £3 per student and this is over and above the entry fee to the gym itself. Also a yearly national governing body licence fee of £25 per student has to be paid, this is over and above the gym's own annual membership fee. Anyone wishing to train can turn up any Wednesday evening, 6.30pm for children between 5-12 years and 7.15pm for anyone over 13 years.