Today, 13th January 2021, is MADA's Golden Anniversary. If it wasn't for the pandemic we would be celebrating at the weekend with a special anniversary dinner. As it is we have to make do with this post and the promise of a celebration as soon as we are able. Probably in the summer the way things are going.
Anyway, on such occasions, after a dinner, there are always speeches and reminiscences. Today is no exception. The first 'speech' is from John.
Thank you to all members past and present for your dedication and support that you have given over the years. To make it a milestone of 50 years is some achievement, and who kows that it will continue for another 50 and beyond. I would also like to thank Margaret for dedication and being the backbone of the club.
Thank you all,
John
And, of course there has to be a reply to that.
I would like too to thank all the club members who have kept MADA going over the years, but in particular a big thank you to the current members who are still keeping in touch and are eagerly waiting to return to practise. I do hope that this will be soon. And a big thank you to John who has been practising almost as long as the club has been in existence. Although Paul introduced us to Alan Ruddock, it is really thanks to John that we affiliated with him and were able to learn so much more about aikido rather than 'bashkido'. So thank you John.
Margaret
As you are all aware the club was founded by Don and Mary Pybus. So the debt that we owe them is immense. Now, most of you have never met them, only heard about them. So here are some photos taken of them at Silverwell Street Sorts Centre in 1989, when Mary retired from aikido.
And thanks too to Alan Ruddock who taught us so much. Here is the man himself.
