Cheltenham & Bloomsbury Aikido Club

Dear Sports Community,

David Lonsdale, organiser for the Cheltenham & Bloomsbury Aikido Club (C&BAC), would like to extend a personal note to all members and interested individuals. The C&BAC is a reputable Aikido club based in Cheltenham, embodying the principles of O Sensei M. Ueshiba and guided by notable British teachers, Shihan Mr W. Smith M.B.E. and Shihan Mr Mike Smith.

Although regular classes have been paused due to the COVID-19 lockdown, David ensures that the club remains active, arranging special events for members as situations permit. The club is also the alumni counterpart to the UCL Aikido Club and one of the founding members of Goshinkai.

Training sessions for C&BAC usually take place at the Sports Hall of Leisure, Tommy Taylors Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4RN. Classes are typically on Mondays from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm and Fridays from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm, with schedules subject to change based on COVID-19 developments. Sessions are led by Sensei Barbara Sotowicz, a 6th Dan Aikido practitioner and Goshinkai Shidoin.

The fee for classes is £7 for standard attendees and £5 for concessions, with an introductory free class for beginners. The club welcomes visitors from other clubs and associations as well as newcomers to Aikido. For more information, interested individuals can contact the club directly.

For members associated with the UCL Aikido Club, training continues at the Bloomsbury Fitness Centre, 15 Gordon St., London WC1H 0AY. Sessions there are on Wednesdays from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, led by Sensei Ara Schorscher-Petcu, a 2nd Dan GoShinKai Fukushidoin.

Joining the UCL Aikido Club requires a membership fee, which varies for UCL and non-UCL students, plus potential additional fees at the Bloomsbury Fitness Centre. Proper Aikido attire is needed for training, although beginners may start with a sturdy T-shirt and tracksuit trousers. Jewellery should be removed, and training is conducted barefoot on mats.

Membership at C&BAC, GoShinKai, and the British Aikido Board (BAB) requires an annual fee, including insurance coverage for practising Aikido in the UK. Standard membership fees are £37, with concessions at £30, of which £5 goes towards C&BAC membership. Fees must be paid by the fourth class for new beginners and renewed before insurance expiration for existing members. Visitors from other UK associations need to provide proof of insurance, while those from abroad must show evidence of travel insurance covering martial arts activities.

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, scheduled events and classes at C&BAC and UCL Aikido Club may be cancelled or moved online. Meanwhile, Aikido training is available through online platforms like Hombu Dojo-cho on Facebook, IAF Zoom Classes, and YouTube channels including the International Aikido Federation and Shihan Tomohiro Mori.

David encourages everyone to stay connected and keep practising safely,

Sincerely,

The Cheltenham & Bloomsbury Aikido Club Team