I have trained in the martial arts since 1981, initially in Karate (1st Dan), Full Contact Kickboxing (1st Dan) and Jiu-Jitsu (2nd Dan), also training in the Filipino Martial Arts, and the Chinese internal styles of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan. I opened my first martial art club in 1992 and have taught de-escalation techniques and self-defence for University of Gloucestershire (mid-1990s), the London Borough of Hillingdon (late 1990s) and Birmingham Education Authority (early 2000s). I also have a background in door supervision and premises security.
In 1995, I joined Midlands Wing Chun Kuen, initially in Cheltenham before training at the headquarters in Hall Green under Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe.
As part of Midlands Wing Chun Kuen, I have been part of display teams (e.g. SENI-2000, NEC, Birmingham), and helped for three years providing front-gate security to the American Ambassador’s residence for their annual garden party (2000-2002), leading the team in 2001. I have travelled to Hong Kong several times to train with some of the top instructors, including Ip Man’s eldest son, Ip Chun.
Ip Chun and Scott, Cheltenham, December 2001
Ip Chun and Scott, Hall Green, Birmingham 2001
VTAA Headquarters, Hong Kong, Ip Man, 2005
VTAA Headquarters, Hong Kong, 2005: Ip Chun (centre), Kay Ho (left of Ip Chun), Raymond Lo (right of Ip Chun), Leung Chung Wai (behind Ip Chun)
My passion for the martial arts led to my PhD thesis, exploring the histo-philosophical motivators for the inception of Wing Chun (anthropology), while similarly exploring the psychological benefits of training.
Although my attempt to detail the development of Wing Chun has prompted criticism from some quarters (predominantly for challenging non-academic perspectives, assumptions, oral tradition, and political posturing), my thesis has yet proven to be incorrect, furthermore few, if any, have added to the discussion. In essence, my thesis supports the assertion that Wing Chun developed with the Red Junk Cantonese Opera Troupe at a time of increased piracy around the Canton Delta, with the first historically verifiable person being Cheung Ng (Master Xhang Wu), a contemporary of Wong Wah-Bo and Leung Yee-Tai.
Statue of Master Huagudang (picture taken by author at Hong Kong Heritage Museum, July 2006), the inscription reading, ‘This statue of Master Huaguang who, along with Masters Tian and Dou and Master Xhang Wu, is a god worshipped by the artists of Cantonese Opera’.
Despite both knees and right hip being replaced with metal (a result of over-training, training through injury, etc), I have sought ways to maintain my lifelong commitment to the martial arts, predominantly through teaching and research.
Such approaches demonstrate that even if physically constrained, one can engage with martial arts through different domains: the mental, physical and spiritual. This has led to exploring inclusive martial arts training, including developing the Mindful Movement Programme with Harriett Moore, a programme based on Wing Chun principles.
Qualifications
BCCMA (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts) – Advanced Coach
- BCCMA Safeguarding, 2021
- BCCMA Coach (Level 2), 2003, 2021
- BCCMA Biomechanics (Level 3), 2021
- BCCMA Nutrition (Level 3), 2021
- BCCMA Sport Psychology (Level 3), 2022
- BCCMA Fitness (Level 3), 2022
Ip Chun seminar, Cheltenham (1st March 1997)
Ip Chun seminar, Cheltenham (late 1990s)
MWCK instructors and students, VTAA 2nd International Conference, YMCA Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 2005
MWCK instructors, Hall Green, late 2000s