As we reach the end of another year it has again come time for the final set of Kyu & Dan Gradings at Bornville College. This year the previous September and December gradings were combined into a single grading in November 2022 to allow more time after the summer holidays for students to prepare and cater for grading examiners availability. The gradings in November 2022 were again run over two consecutive Saturdays with the first week for red belts and below and the second for yellow belt and above. For these gradings we were joined by our sister club Kenshin Shotokan Karate Club based in Stechford (formerly headed by the late Sensei Franklyn Doras 6th Dan who was another former student our late sensei, Shihan Cummins). For almost a year now we have been providing instruction at Kenshin SKC since Sensei Hession took over as its new Chief Instructor with Sensei Jacob McBride taking the lead role and Sensei Michael Paul regularly providing additional support and Lorraine Doras continuing the role as club secretary with other BWCSK sensei attending occasionally. This was the first grading in many months and in some cases almost two years for the members of Kenshin SKC so nerves were running higher than usual combined with it being the first time of meeting many BWCSK students and other personnel. We are pleased to say it was a successful grading with a handful of students across both clubs achieving a double grading.

We are also pleased to announce two additions to the ranks of BWCSK black belts with Martha Newman and Phoebe Hadley both passing their 1^st Dan gradings at the Weoley Castle dojo on Thursday night. Both these young ladies have worked extremely hard over many years to reach this point and have put in even greater efforts over the last few months in preparation for their grading day showing great dedication to their training and always looking to learn new things. Martha joins her father and brother amongst the ranks of the clubs yudansha forming a mini family dynasty. Below are photos taken on the various grading dates in November.