Midsomer Norton

 

Kingswood Warmley

 

Royal Wootton Bassett

 

Training Times

 

Royal Wootton Bassett

The school was opened and overseen in April 1994 by Master Mark Ogborne but had a number of instructors until Mr Derek Skidmore was appointed its new senior instructor in 1997. By this time the school had dwindled in numbers to only a handful of loyal students 2 of which, Mr Nick Evans and Mr Jacl Noel, aided Mr Skidmore in rebuilding and restructuring the school.

The school has since increased its membership by 400-500% over the years whilst still maintaining its traditional Taekwondo values and the high standards demanded of the students.

Royal Wootton Bassett consistantly strives to produce high quality martial artists and not only has one of the highest pass rates in the South West but also in the UK.

Mr Skidmore has always encouraged his students to enter into competition and lead by example and even as a senior instructor has returned to competition himself and is currently 4 times black belt national destruction champion and PUMA UK record holder.

Mr Skidmore has produced over 500 regional, national, european and world champions, with 3 of his students on the England Squad. They competed in the 2006 & 2007 world championships with a win in 2006, the 1st time England won this prestigious tournament.

Based on the reputation of its high standards, the school attracts visiting students from all over the South West, we have a very committed team of instructors and create a great club spirit, which flourishes through the students and also into the support of the parents, creating a very social atmosphere with many functions that run through the year outside of training.

April 2007 saw the introduction of Little PUMAs in Royal Wootton Bassett which is a martial arts programme aimed at 4-6 year olds pioneered in September 2000 by PUMA UK. PUMA worked closely with the NSPCC to write our Child Protection Policy and the syllabus is outstanding. The kids love it and it teaches them about martial arts, valuable life skills, maintaining discipline and respect whilst doing this in a fun environment.

Our group was the first to introduce Taekwondo to the Swindon area and we can boast that we are responsible for every black belt instructor teaching in the area today, which in itself is a hugfe mantle.

We are members of PUMA, Europes largest and fastest growing ITF Organisation. PUMA are in a minority of groups who genuinely cross train, apart from Taekwondo there is also a Kick Boxing section recognised and affiliated to the World Kick Boxing Association, 2 Ju Jitsu groups and a Tang Soo Do section where our weapons training extends from.