Farewell Presentation - Sensei Jan and Viv Wilson

On 29^th 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. 

As the junior class was ending and senior class was due to begin, our Nidan black belt, Jamie Ogston, took the opportunity to step in and give thanks to Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv on behalf of all of us at the club.  Both have been true mentors, not only teaching us the art of karate but also helping shape us and encouraging us to become our best selves both in the dojo and beyond.  Their classes have been so enjoyable, fun, challenging and enlightening, and always delivered with warmth and humility. 

Shodan Mickila Travis presented a bouquet and chocolates from the class as a parting gift of our gratitude to a moved Senseis. First Kyu, Tim Askey, assisted by one of our young karateka followed this with the presentation of a small trophy to the Senseis (who always give but never receive a trophy themselves!).  The trophy read “Best Senseis, Newport Pagnell 2025”.  Sensei Jan smiled and added that they were the only Sensei!  Mickila pointed out that it was a 'world premiere' presentation of the trophy, to much laughter.

Next followed something that had the unintentional vibe of the three wise men in a nativity play as many of the children in the class one by one presented the Sensei with further gifts of flowers and chocolates, and so on - the Sensei were both honoured and thrilled to receive them. 

Finally, we finished the presentation by rounding up everyone for a group photo; all the smiles are testament to the affection that we have for Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv. It’s not over until it’s over though, as the Sensei had this one final senior lesson to give.  It was fitting that this included the kata “Chinte” which is Sensei Jan’s favourite kata.

Many of us have not been part of the club, in the overall scheme of things, for very long so we asked our longest serving karateka at the Newport Pagnell club, Nidan David Francis, to reflect on Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv and their time with the CFTS association:

“Do you know what Sensei means?

It can mean ‘teacher’ or ‘instructor’ and refers to someone with significant knowledge or experience in a particular field, such as Karate. It can also mean ‘one who comes before’, someone who has already gained wisdom and experience in the subject that you are learning about now.

Both meanings can certainly be applied to Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv, with 42 and 41 years of karate experience respectively.

Sensei Jan was there, as the only female karateka, when the Newport Pagnell club started in 1983, with Sensei Viv joining soon after in 1984. When CFTS was formed in 1994, they were both founder members and jointly took on the role of organising MK area gradings.

During their time in CFTS, they have also jointly been the club secretary for the Newport Pagnell club, members of the CFTS Technical Committee and Club Instructors committee, instructor of the Ampthill Club (Sensei Viv) and when Renshi Kidby had to step away from teaching, they became the instructors at the Newport Pagnell Club and Green Park School Club. Lastly, but not least, they became the senior instructors within the CFTS Federation.

Now, with the Sensei Wilsons' decision to retire and spend some well-earned time with family, it’s a time to think about what they brought to the Newport dojo in the past few years and what we’ll miss:

Sensei Jan

• However your day had gone, you always knew if you turned up to train, you’d be greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome, something that Sensei Jan somehow still managed over Zoom training during lockdown!

• Excellent at breaking the complicated down into easy to remember bite size chunks, making learning a new kata achievable for all.

• Inventor (we believe!) of the Tekki Sandan “horseshoe” line-up, so that everyone in the class can see and follow the upper body sequence.

• Having a laser focus on correct technique whilst providing constructive feedback and correction.

• Being a font of knowledge, from gained experience, of why we do things the way we do in CFTS.

• Always having time to listen and help others.

Sensei Viv

• Always willing to pass on knowledge of karate history.

• Not to be underestimated during kumite or when grappling, Sensei Viv could always bring the power, often when you least expected it.

• Often took the time to provide 1-2-1 training for new joiners to get them quickly up to speed.

• Showed true karateka humility and etiquette, always thanking lower grades for pairing up with him.

• Understanding that kata is not always a race to the finish and technique matters.

• Being a willing Uke to Sensei Jan’s Tori in pair demonstrations (always after extensive practice in the kitchen before lessons!).

• Like Sensei Jan, also always having time for everybody.

For many of us in CFTS, and particularly those in the Newport Pagnell club, Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv have always been there, a constant presence in the dojo. It will certainly be strange to not have Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv teaching us and training with us.”

On behalf of the entire club, and the whole of CFTS, it has been an honour and a pleasure for us to have trained with you Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv, and to have benefited from your teachings and experience.

Enjoy your retirement and thank you.

Osu! Sensei Jan and Sensei Viv.

Arigato gozaimasu!