MY FIRST VISIT TO JON STOKOE AT NEWCASTLE

It was a cold morning when Griffin My guide dog and I left Norwich station for our journey to Newcastle-on-tyne. We left at 0903 changing at Peterborough and arriving at 1251. Jon met me and griffy and we went by car to his home. It was a Friday morning when we set out and by the Tuesday when we left we had both a relaxing and interesting time. Friday evening we went to train with one of his students Andy. I found his class was both informative and I learnt things that I have forgotten over the years. Saturday morning was very interesting over two-and-a-half hours of nearly fifty noisy youngsters. I wondered if My Guide Dog would be able to handle so many in one go during the break time. Fortunately, they were split in to two separate groups with a break in between. The first session was interesting because, I have never before seen how youngsters of eight upward to about eleven were kept under control. They were learning Aikido without doing Aikido techneques and yet all the basics were gradually being taught. Just before the break I was asked to give a demonstration they certainly enjoyed seeing their villin David being thrown arround the mat. After the break another group came on to the mat very different youngsters yet Jon and david still had their full attention. I know that they all loved Griffin and could not help stroking him every time they passed. Sunday was a day of rest. Monday afternoon was back to School to yet another group of youngsters. It was obvious that they have had less time than the previous groups owing to the extra volume of noise and differnt approach used by Jon and Dave. The final evening I was invited to attend Jon Stokoe's Class. I was asked to teach and give some demonstrations. I also had a short questions and answers session on Aikido from a Blind person's prospective. A surprise for me Jon turned the tables on me and asked me to do a 3 man (randori) (defense against three people at the same time.) I live to tell the tale. I was very impressed by the quallaty and standard of all Jon's Students from the beginners to the high grades who attended his class. It is very clear that respect for him and to Dave by all people is evident. I would like to thank Jon and his lovely wife and all those who made griffin and me so very welcome. I was very sad to leave on the Tuesday morning all the way back to Norwich. I am very much looking forward to the return visit at the end of May. Steve Fyffe (Sensei)