Black belts on the rise in Skipton

3:01pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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MORE members of a growing martial arts club have achieved black belt status.

Five members of Skipton Jujitsu Club reached the level at a recent gradings test after successfully completing a series of locks, throws and groundwork moves.

It forms another landmark for the club which was set up in November 2006 after another long-standing jujitsu class closed.

Sensei Craig Barson and Mel Seward now run two sessions following a relocation from Sandylands Sports Centre to Ings School.

They are hoping to add to the 30 members that attend on Monday evenings and 15 adults and juniors who go along on Saturdays.

They stress all are welcome, including youngsters, beginners and people with disabilities.

Craig said: "In the past the venue was quite small and when you are throwing people about on a mat it can become quite self-limiting.

"By moving to Ings School it has opened up a much bigger space for us and it is our intention to encourage more people to attend.

"People think Jujitsu is really only open to fit, young men but actually anyone can take it up and, in the world we live in, get something useful from it such as self-defence."

The adults who successfully completed the black belt test were Robin Attwood and Phillipe Osborne while the juniors - the first in the club's history - were Josh Beech and brothers Craig and Jamie Fairbairn.

It takes the total number of adult black belts within the group to eight. For more information about the group call Craig on 07767 388639 or log on to skiptonjujitsuclub.co.uk.