My secondary modern school in the London Borough of Harrow was, I believe, quite progressive. As a 6th former I took part in fencing, archery and horse riding. There was judo on offer as well, but I didn't take up training then. When I decided to go to Teacher Training College, I saw in the brochure that they had a Judo club. Thinking that I would join and not wanting to look foolish as a beginner, I went along to the local dojo before attending Trent Park College. That was 1966. The Dojo was part of the old Masutaro Otani Society of Judo. I went several times a week and saw a lot of the ceiling. This was because I tried to only go on the mat with the seniors. At last I arrived at College. No judo - the activities listed in the brochure were out of date! Never mind, a couple of us went to an informal karate club in the gym with one of the students called Peter Chancellor. He had gained a Nidan grade from someone and the style was a mixture of Shotokai and Shotokan. It was great. Blood everywhere, mainly mine and all over my gi! When Peter went to Hong Kong I took up Wado Ryu. The dojo was in Northolt under Bob Wignall. I managed to pass 2nd Kyu brown belt. In 1975 i got accepted for a teaching job in Singapore. Unluckily for me only Goju Ryu karate was available. Given the amount of stick I'd received trying to forget the Shotokai/Shotokan roots when studying Wado, I figured I'd get crucified trying another style.