That's it. The Hartland Aikido Club has definitively left our old home at the Bucks Cross Village Hall. I started the club there ten years ago (2011). At one time we had a fairly lively small club but it has become increasingly difficult to attract new students or retain old ones. Any hope I had of revitalizing the club were dashed by the arrival of the pandemic. So today I took away all our mats. We won't be back in Bucks Cross in future.
I don't even know if I will ever practise or teach aikido in future. I began my studies in 1983. I started teaching in the late 80s and ran my own club in London in the 90s. It seems an awful shame not to pass on some of the knowledge I have gained to a new generation of students. But I have to be practical. I can see no way to restart the club now.
If, on the other hand, any other martial arts clubs are interested in studying aikido, by all means contact me. It may be possible for me to teach as a guest at your club.
For now, though, the Hartland Aikido Club is no more.
