New Year wishes from the Chairman

To all members and friends,
This once again is the time we look forward to the New Year, and indeed a new decade. But it is also a time for reflection on the passed year. It was possibly the worst year for the BAF since our founding. The passing of Kanetsuka Shihan was a great loss to his natural family and to his Aikido family and leaves a huge hole in the hearts of both families. We in the BAF will honour Sensei’s legacy by continuing to study hard to understand the principles of Sensei’s practice which he had worked hard to share with us over the years he was with us. We hope one day we may grasp a part of Sensei’s teaching and know he would have been happy with our progress… in that way at least, we can repay Sensei for his teaching.

Now we look forward to the New Year and indeed a New Era for the BAF and us all. For the first time since our foundation we are without a Japanese Shihan at our head. We are moving into new territory which will be a learning period for us all. So I ask everyone to be patient as we work to develop the situation we find ourselves in, for all our members. Most important is that we continue to work on our practice, to develop our BAF instructors, to strengthen the BAF membership working with you the members, and to continue our connection with the Hombu and it’s visiting Shihan.
This is not only for the New Year but the New Decade

Many thanks for your support to each and every member.
A Happy New Year and I hope in Harmony to all.

Peter Gillard
BAF Chairman