This week marks an important milestone in the history of martial arts in Altrincham and Greater Manchester. From Thursday 27th October through to Monday 31st we will be grading our first intake of kids classes as well as our adult students.

While all our students have been working hard for weeks it is especially exciting to announce that while we test these grades we will be joined by SiHing Barry Wells of Leeds our regional instructor for Wing Tsun Kung fu here in the North of England.

The EWTO have been absent from the North West for too long now but thanks to our hard work, passion for Wing Tsun and determination to quality I am pleased to bring back the martial art to the North West in an official capacity.

While others may use the name illegally, claim murky lineages and pass off poor imitations of our art it is pleasing to know not only do we deliver the 'real deal' but we do it with no cheap tricks, no hidden costs and no sleight of hand.

The proof is in the pudding and when we see the joy and reward of kids from the age of 5 to people with many years on me claiming the next bench mark in their training it is great to know that earned it. From Hong Kong to Altrincham the art of Wing Tsun is seemingly little known outside of martial arts circles - but that is because while others might be more recognisable Wing Tsun works!

Effective for self defence, mentally challenging and difficult to perfect it's a long road many are not willing to take, although everyone is able to. With the mental toughness, physical endurance and dedication anyone can benefit from Wing Tsun. While other arts may be easier, more accessible or just popular there is a sense of achievement that comes with every certificate earned in Wing Tsun.

This week we'll be sharing that feeling of pride with dozens of people and that makes me not only very proud but excited and determined to go even further next time too!

One of the many things that help spread a martial art is a celebrity endorsement. How many of these famous faces do you recognise? More to the point, how many of them did you know studied the martial art we all know and love?

Robert Downey Jr has been studying since 2003 (about as long as me!) and clearly loves it too. Check out Sherlock Holmes for sneaky bits and pieces chucked into the fight scenes.


The beautiful Cameron Diaz had to undertake an intense crash course for her part in Charlie's Angels. I'd happily roll with her if she's reading.



Apparently Mr Gyllenhaal undertook Wing Chun alongside other martial arts and training for his tranformation into the "Prince of Persia" for the Disney movie. I cannot guarentee that chain punches do this for your physique but it can't be a bad idea to give it a bash!


This is Chike Okeafor (no, me either) but he's a big name in the NFL which means loads of people who like that sort of thing will know who he is. Apparently his study of kung fu has helped him improve his techniques and physical skills for his job in the NFL. I'm not going to doubt it, all power to him in fact! Well done Sir.


If you don't know who this is kindly never come back here again........only kidding. Bruce Lee, the epitome of Wing Chun celebrity. A lot of schools good and bad use him to sell themselves and who can blame them? The guy was a pint-sized phenom of kick-ass shrieking wickedness. In fact I insist all of my students watch Enter the Dragon before they get to black tee-shirt or they fail their grading immediately. (This may not be true but it's not a bad policy, I'll consider it for the next grading).



This is Donnie Yen, playing Ip Man (a very famous late great Wing Chun deity) so yes he knows his onions. Whether he's as serious as this all the time, I wouldn't like to comment. Either way any kung fu geek worth his salt will be able to bore you silly about how good Mr Yen is. Check him out.



This is Jackie Chan - probably more famous than Jesus and more likely to sock you in the face. He's awesome, I love him. It's a massive shame that to be successful in the Western world he's been patronised into being a comedy version of himself because back in the day he was untouchable in the chop-sockey game. For the closest thing to "real" martial arts choreographed for the camera this man's where's it. All Hail Jackie!



This is Sammo Hung, a blue-blooded pedigree of kung fu film. If you don't know who he is look him up. Watching him do kung fu is like seeing an elephant do a handstand. It makes no sense but it looks very cool!

With a long summer holiday winding down I'm sure your kids have had some great fun and been up to all sorts. With school starting back soon and the need to get back to the routine of the classroom it is important for children to have structure and discipline. Our martial arts programs have been taking off to great success this summer and there is plenty of space and scope for more kids, more classes and more learning!