It's 40 years and counting for Pennine Shotokan Karate

Sensei Fred Jones is pictured with students Hamed and Anosha

Pennine Shotokan Karate in Oldham is still going strong after more than 40 years.

It was first launched on January 3, 1983, at what was then the Oldham Olympic gymnastics club on Barry Street in Derker.

In 1984, Pennine Shotokan moved into Greenacres Community Centre and several years later into the Oldham Leisure Centre, where they still have continued teaching.

The class has always been taught by chief instructor Sensei Fred Jones, who boasts a black belt 8th dan - one of the country’s most senior grades.

Fred has enlisted the help of a number of other instructors over the years, particularly Sensei Darren Bates, 4th dan, who has been his senior aid for many years.

This has kept of level of standard at the highest it can be, and remains the reason Pennine have continued for so long.

To celebrate 40 year of teaching, Pennine Shotokan has recently offered any new student free membership (joining fee) - this includes a free karate suit and free first year's licence book.

Pennine pledge to give the same offer to any adult or child seven years and over up until the end of May - instructors only ask that they pay their first month's training fees in advance.

Training takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7pm-8.30pm in the Oldham Leisure Centre.

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