TASTER SESSION: FIRST CLASS FREE | All you need to bring is a bottle of water and sportswear.
All-Day Budo and Martial Arts Course | Saturday 7 March | Todmorden
On Saturday, 7 March, Todmorden Judo Club is hosting an All-Day Budo and Martial Arts Course at the Todmorden Learning Centre. The day is designed as a one-day introduction to traditional martial arts, kata, movement and self-defence, and is open to children, adults, beginners and experienced practitioners.
The course is also a fundraiser to help purchase new mats for the club, supporting safer and better training facilities for the local community.
The course is also a fundraiser to help purchase new mats for the club, supporting safer and better training facilities for the local community.
Event details
Date: Saturday 7 March
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Venue: Todmorden Learning Centre (Community College), 44 Burnley Rd, Todmorden OL14 7BX
Entry fees:
Children (5–16): £18
Adults (17+): £25
What to bring:
Training clothes and a water bottle.
Changing rooms, showers & toilets available.
Food and refreshments included.
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Venue: Todmorden Learning Centre (Community College), 44 Burnley Rd, Todmorden OL14 7BX
Entry fees:
Children (5–16): £18
Adults (17+): £25
What to bring:
Training clothes and a water bottle.
Changing rooms, showers & toilets available.
Food and refreshments included.
This event has now taken place.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Todmorden Budo & Martial Arts Seminar and helped make the day such a success. It was fantastic to see so many people training together, sharing knowledge and supporting the martial arts community.
The event was organised to help raise funds for new mats for the club, and we are incredibly grateful for the support shown by instructors, students and visitors.
We will be sharing photos and a short event summary on the website soon.
The event was organised to help raise funds for new mats for the club, and we are incredibly grateful for the support shown by instructors, students and visitors.
We will be sharing photos and a short event summary on the website soon.
What is Budo?
Budo is a Japanese term meaning “the martial way”. It describes an approach to martial arts training that places emphasis not only on physical technique, but also on:
- Respect and etiquette
- Self-control and discipline
- Balance, posture, and efficient movement
- Personal development alongside technical learning
Budo-based training is structured, progressive, and appropriate for a wide range of ages and abilities. This course offers a rare opportunity to experience these principles across several martial traditions in a single, well-supervised day.
Why this course is a good opportunity
- Experience multiple traditional martial arts in one day
- Learn from highly experienced instructors
- Suitable for complete beginners as well as existing martial artists
- Sessions focused on learning, not competition
- Children and adults can attend the same event
- Support a local club fundraiser
The aim of the day is to give participants a broad, practical insight into traditional martial arts, without pressure or expectation.
Guest Instructors and Traditions
Sessions on the day will be led by experienced instructors. Please note that the instructor lineup may change depending on circumstances, but the range of martial arts and the course’s educational focus will remain the same.
+ Japanese and Okinawan Martial Arts
Traditional Judo
Traditional Judo emphasises balance, timing, posture, and efficient movement. Through kata practice, students explore the principles and structure underlying Judo techniques, reinforcing control, awareness, and mutual respect.
Instructors
- Gordon Lawson · 10th Dan BZJFA
- Sean Nuttall · 6th Dan BJA
- George Launders · 7th Dan BZJFA
Traditional Japanese Jujitsu
Traditional Japanese Jujitsu is a classical Japanese self-defence system that emphasises control, balance, and joint locks, preserving methods developed for real-world situations rather than sport or competition.
Instructor
- Lee Shore · 1st Dan WTWA
Taiho-jutsu: Japanese Police Self-Defence
Taiho-jutsu focuses on control, restraint, and personal safety, teaching practical methods for managing conflict responsibly. Training emphasises balance, awareness, and the controlled application of technique rather than force.
Instructor
- Andy McCormack · 10th Dan UKTJA
Kobudo
Kobudo is the study of traditional Okinawan weapons, closely linked to historical martial practice. Training develops coordination, control, and discipline, with strong emphasis on safety, precision, and respect for tradition.
Instructor
- Craig Connell · 7th Dan WTWA
Karate Shotokan
Karate training develops posture, controlled striking, breathing, and discipline. While Goju-ryu and Shotokan emphasise different qualities, both share a structured approach to practice grounded in control, respect, and personal development.
Instructor
- Jack Davidson · 2nd Dan
+ Chinese Martial Arts
Wing Chun
Wing Chun focuses on efficient movement, structure, and close-range control. Training emphasises timing, sensitivity, and economy of motion, using positioning and awareness rather than strength.
Instructor
- Andrew Galsworthy · 1st Dan
Yang-style Tai Chi
Yang-style Tai Chi develops balance, coordination, and body awareness through slow, controlled movement. Practice encourages relaxation, proper posture, and efficient movement, making it accessible to people of all ages and experience levels.
Instructor
- Ian Naylor
Kung Fu
Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial art that combines striking techniques, movement, balance and discipline.
Instructor
- Ian Almond
Who can attend?
- Children aged 5–16
- Adults aged 17+
- Beginners with no prior martial arts experience
- Experienced practitioners
All sessions are supervised and designed to be age-appropriate and inclusive.
Supporting a good cause
This course is being run as a fundraiser to help purchase new mats for the club. By attending, you are directly supporting Todmorden Judo Club and helping to improve training facilities for the wider community.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about the course, please get in touch:
Get Started Today!
Experience the joy of Judo in a welcoming and encouraging environment. Join us for a free session and see how Judo can transform your physical and mental well-being. We look forward to seeing you on the mat!
