CFTS KARATE

All the CFTS clubs had condidates representing them in the recent dan gradings held in Kempston, Bedford, on Saturday 28th March 2026. The standard was incredibly high and all the Instructors Committee panel felt that all the candidates demonstrated great skill and determination. All nine shodan and nidan candidates were successful in the morning session, photo shown below. The graders were; Brett Keith - Shodan - Newport Pagnell Liam Beilby - Shodan - Newton Longville Eesha

The first grading of the year for the Bedford Area took place on the 7th March with a change of venue due to repair work taking place at St. Thomas More. We held our gradings at the Brickhill dojo with separate grade groups: -       Brickhill beginners -       Kempston beginners -       Blue and red belts -       Orange and yellow belts -       Green, purple, purple and white belts -       All brown belts It was a very tight operation with timings but we managed to keep to th

Another great grading day for Milton Keynes area students with some great spirit and determination being shown by everyone. It was also great to see the parents of the school club students giving their support and watching their children grade, as they don't get the opportunity to view the school clubs in lessons. We had two students that double graded; one went straight to green belt and another straight to purple belt, so well done to you. Double grading only occurs when th

Many years ago, in CFTS we used to run a line of clothing/bags for students to purchase. The CFTS Committee felt that this was something we want to bring back and are pleased to announce that this has been made possible! Initially, there will only be a selection of white or black t-shirts, black or royal blue pull over hoodies and zip up hoodies. Cotton t-shirts available in white or black; and both pullover hoodies and zip-up hoodies, available in black and royal blue These

The MK area gradings were held on Sunday November 16th with students from all MK area clubs participating.

As always, the year is coming to a close, and with it the calendar of events for 2025. There is still time to enter the Competition, but we are already starting to look ahead to next year. This page will always have a up-to-date version of the calendar, so, even if you are given a paper copy or sent one through email, check back for updates - any major updates will also be communicated through news posts or directly by your club instructors. All Milton Keynes area gradings wi

Saturday 15th November saw the final round of kyu gradings for Bedford. We ran it slightly differently to previous gradings with beginners coming early and doing their grading before the blue belts and above came for theirs. The beginners did very well for their first grading which was watched by nervous parents alike. After receiving their result, they were invited to stay and watch the pre-grading class and other gradings. We had some small group work with various Dan grade

From little acorns (early years)   My introduction to karate began at a very early age as an observer only.  My father and two elder...

Saturday 4th October saw the second and final Dan grading of the year as well as AGM and Grading Scoring Feedback Training. Dan Grading: The candidates were from across both of the CFTS areas and had 4 shodan and 1 nidan candidate. Karl and Michelle of Kempston, Charlie of Brickhill, Tim of Newport Pagnell and Lewis of Bletchley arrived at the Kempston dojo for a test of their physical skills and understanding of karate. Whilst we can’t divulge too much of what they did, they

On Saturday 6th September, a large number of CFTS students made their way to St Thomas More School in Bedford for a seminar with Sensei...

On 29th July 2025, The Newport Pagnell Club said thank you and farewell to our esteemed and treasured Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv Wilson, who were about to commence their retirement from Karate after over 40 years of training, teaching and examining. 

Shinken Taira, born in 1897 in Okinawa, Japan, was a renowned martial artist best known for his significant contributions to the study...

The MK area gradings were held on Sunday July 6th with students from all MK area clubs participating. The standards were high and...

Saturday 5th July saw the second grading of the year for the Bedford area. Students gathered at our grading venue, St Thomas More. We...

On Saturday 15th March, a large contingent of dan grades and all levels of brown belt from the Bedford Area made a short trip to Cranfield University to train under Sensei Brian Bates (Zanshin Karate) and Sensei Les Bubka (Les Bubka Karate Jutsu).

Congratulations go to Sensei Elliott Thomas who successfully graded to Nidan. It was a long, hard fought grading and Elliott emerged...

Saturday 8th March was the Milton Keynes area kyu grading, held at Knowles Primary School, Bletchley.

Saturday 8th March, saw us have our first grading of the year at a new venue, St. Thomas More Secondary School.

The Bedford Area March Kyu Gradings has had a change of venue and will now take place at St Thomas More Secondary School, Bedford.

My karate journey began in 2013 when I was a second year University student looking to do an extracurricular activity instead of having...