Despite a dip in public attendance this year the festival
was still a fantastic event. Martial
Artists from all over the North East descended on the CitySpace centre with
their families and friends to watch or participate in the demonstrations and
taster sessions on the ‘come and try it’ mats.
DFM with Phil Doherty
Marfest is as much about the camaraderie between martial
artists as it is about the displays of martial art. Over the 12 years the
festival has been running a community of martial artists from all disciplines
has gradually gelled together to not only demonstrate their art to each other
and the general public but to also exchange knowledge and information, support
and encourage each other, and to form strong and lasting networks and friendships.
Judo with John Simpson
The strength of this support network was demonstrated very
clearly in the afternoon when there was a gap in the order of events. To fill
the gap, Peter Seth (Marfest organiser and 4th dan Aikido),
Geoff Aisbitt (4th dan Aikido, 3rd dan
Aikijutsu) and student’s of Christine Poole’s Jujitsu club (British Jujitsu Academy
NE) did an impromptu display of Aikido and knife defences. This was impressive
because these people do not normally train together (though Geoff does
sometimes do some aikido training with Peter), practice different though
related arts and had not rehearsed this display at all! This required a lot of
trust and cooperation which was possible because the Marfest has brought these
people together on several occasions now and so they know each other. Here is
some video footage of this impromptu display…..
The video shows Geoff Aisbitt doing some knife defences with a jujitsu student.
Peter Seth demonstrating an Aikido principle
Geoff again showing some aiki principles
The other demonstrations though were definitely planned,
well rehearsed and displayed professionally. Here’s some video footage of some of this
year’s participating arts…
Phil Doherty (DFM) showing a knife defence technique
Two of Christine Pool's jujitsu students.
Bill Patterson's ninjutsu students
There were some last minute programme changes. Sensei Paul Simpson (Kempo Jujitsu) was
unable to make it. However, John Barrass (founder and senior instructor of
ESDCS – Evasive Self Defence Combat System) stepped in to cover the vacant ‘come
and try it mat’ for the afternoon, teaching his style of close-in reality based
street defence. John is a very experienced martial artist who has attained
black belts in four arts, including 4th dan in jujitsu.
Ninjutsu weapons
Peter Gruffity (Capoeira
instructor at Group Senzala North East) has supported Marfest over many years
but was unable to put on a demonstration this year. However he did attend the
festival and did a couple of taster sessions on our ‘come and try it mats’. For
those of you unfamiliar with capoeira, it is a Brazilian art form developed by
African Slaves in Brazil over 400 years ago. “It combines the potency of violence and fight, the fluidity and
expressiveness of dance, the soul-calling power of music, the wit and
playfulness of clever games, and the showmanship of acrobatics into one
beautiful art form.” (source: http://www.groupsenzala.co.uk)
Karate
Joe Harte (Taiji, Northern School of Taiji in Co. Durham)
was also present and led a short taiji session over lunchtime. He was also
available throughout most of the day to talk to people about the principles and
practice of his art form – an opportunity taken up by several people.
more judo
Of course many of our regular participants were in attendance
giving their time freely and generously for this charity fund-raising event –
Geoff Aisbitt (Aiki arts), Christine Poole (jujitsu), Phil Doherty (DFM), Mike
Campos (taekwondo) and Paul Tennet (Kung Fu).
Newcomers this year included John Bruce (karate), John Simpson (Judo),
Mick Farrow (Cane-do) and Bill Patterson (Ninjutsu)
And I’ll leave you with the ever popular lion dance (performed by
members of the Moi Fa Wing Chun Academy)….
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