" It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty,and how few by deceit " - Noel Coward
The Content published on this site is 100% factual - legally filed and documented
The Book ` Positive Aikido ` available on Amazon.
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
British Aikido Board Exposed
An incredible true story of the BAB and Mr Jack Poole
A true story of a group of devious people on the then BAB executive governing body, this group colluded together to promote one mans ( Mr Poole ) fabricated super Budo ego, with the sole intent to alter the proud history and lineage of UK Aikido forever, dating from its inception in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei .
This devious group were thwarted by UK Aikido pioneer Heney Ellis's long fight to protect the true history for future generations.
L to R: Ms S Timms - Jack Poole - Toni Davis - Mr Sumpter
Ms S Timms - Secretary to the BAB - long time member of the ` Hut Dojo` the birthplace of UK Aikido - the question has been asked, and is still unanswered - " why oh why " would Ms Timms support the fraudulent claims of Mr Poole ? did her friendship with the Poole's take priority over her position as BAB secretary ?
Mr Jack Poole - a beginner in 1986 - re-invented himself a man of Budo from 1951/2 - using the names of the deceased masters - Osensei Morihei Ueshiba - Tadashi Abe - Masutaro Otani - Tomio Otani and others - the BAB knew this was a total fabrication - yet, the BAB presented Mr Poole with a Samurai statue to celebrate being a pioneer of UK Aikido. - what kind of people would group together and collude so deceitfully ??
Mr Toni Davies - then the BAB chairman - when the documented facts were offered to him, he declined, publicly stating " The BAB are not the custodians of UK Aikido History and therefore have no interest in the same " what more can you say about a man like him.
Mr Vincent Sumpter - The then ` new ` BAB chairman - It was hoped that he would resolve the issues that would one day see the BAB self destruct, sadly nothing changed, eventually resulting with the loss of more than 50% of the BAB membership.
Aikido - 1955 - 2016- For those that studied with Sensei's Kenshiro Abbe - Tadashi Abe - Masahilo Nakazono - TK Chiba Sensei in those early days, they will remember their Aikido being true Budo, something that very few will ever see or feel again. - This was a time before you could grade yourself, or by your own students, then order the dan grade of your choice online from the British Aikido Board - Then claim " BAB Approved "
" You have to know the past to understand the present " - Carl Sagan
CLICK BELOW
The Aikido Controversy
British Aikido Board the UK governing body for Aikido (irony) colluded with one Jack Poole to alter the documented history and lineage of UK. Aikido History, which included slandering H Ellis's character to support Mr Poole.
Jack Poole - beginner in 1968 - used several names of deceased Budo masters, to re-invent himself dating back to 1952 - which would, if not contested, discredit and change the history of UK Aikido - Kendo - Karate.
Henry Ellis Sensei, direct studdient of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei - pioneer of British Aikido - protecting the proud history and lineage of British Aikido from its inception to the UK by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955.
" No matter your pretense you are what you are, nothing more " - Kenshiro Abbe Sensei
British Aikido Board [ BAB ]website makes the following statement.
" The British Aikido Board Represents the majority of bona fide ( legitimate ) organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom "
This is simply untrue ! , the two largest ``bona fide``groups associated with Japan have resigned. reducing the BAB membership by some 50% / 60%
Bona Fide - Law: Without intention to deceive.
How does grading oneself from 1st to 9th dan - then ordering an online BAB ```approved ``` dan grade certificate make one `
bone fide ` ???
Bona Fide: Authentic - genuine - real - true - actual - sterling - sound - legal - legitimate - lawful - valid - unadulterated - unalloyed - proper - straight.
Read the following letters of resignation
Joint AikiKai Newsletter ( resignation) - .BAA Open Letter to its Members
The Controversy
Left: ``
The British Aikido Lineage Tree `` - The collusion of the BAB and Mr Poole was intended to replace the photo of Osensei at the top of the lineage tree with one of Mr Poole.
[ Top down then left to right: Osensei Ueshiba - Kenshiro Abbe - Ken Williams - Eric Dollimore - Dave Williams - Henry Ellis - Haydn Foster - Len Ballard - Peter Dowden - Derek Eastman - Trevor Jones - Ralph Reynolds - Masahilo Nakazono - Tadashi Abe - Masamichi Noro - TK Chiba ]
Mr Poole was an immediate beginner in martial arts in 1968 at the Slough UK dojo of Henry Ellis Sensei.
This site contains documented attendance records - photos - witness statements - 8mm film converted to video.- Wriiten apology from an ex-BAB executive for his part in the BAB defamation of Henry Ellis's good name and character.
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There are now so many teachers making false claims to lineage, titles and grades, and the BAB offering their ` approved ` dan grade certificates online making the ideal Christmas gift for so many.
If the above had simply been the case with Mr Poole, this would be nothing more than just another wanna-be Budo man.
This case is very different, Mr Poole acting in deceitful collusion with the so called governing body for British Aikido, the BAB - Mr Poole decided to totally re-invent himself - his origins, history and lineage, which was in total contrast to that of Henry Ellis and the genuine pioneer students of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from the 1950s.
To ignore these fraudulent claims would have totally changed the true history and lineage of British Aikido from its inception in 1955 by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and Ken Williams Sensei.
The content of this site is only important if you value truth and integrity - history and lineage - If you are self graded and have no interest in history and lineage, then I can fully understand why this site and its factual content would offend your sense of values.
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
Please note: All the teachers named in Mr Poole's bio were all sadly, but conveniently, were deceased
Item ONE - Mr Poole claimed to have studied in France with Tadashi Abbe Sensei in 1951/2 - a documented proven lie. confirmed at a meeting between Henry Ellis - Derek Eastman and Pierre Chasang Sensei first personal assistant to Tadashi Abe Sensei.
Item TWO - Mr Poole claimed to have studied Kendo with Tomio Otani Sensei in 1954 - Tomio was then a 14 yr old schoolboy.
Item THREE - Mr Poole claimed dan grades in Shotokan Karate - 16 years before it was introduced to the UK by Vernon Bell and Shigeru Egami Sensei in 1966.
Item FOUR - Mr Poole claimed to be a 3rd dan Judo with Matsutaro Otani Sensei 1954 - Denied as fiction by R Otani Sensei president of the BJC.
Item FIVE - Mr Poole claimed to have represented the British Judo Council in International competition 1954 - several years before the BJC was created - The first BJC international competition was in 1966. once again ridiculed by R Otani president of the BJC.
Henry Ellis with Tomio Otani at 1963 Grange Farm Summer School.
Mr Poole and the BAB executive have never apologised for their fraudulent conduct to the public - Henry Ellis, or much more importantly to their own trusting students.
It now states on Mr Poole's website " Sensei Poole has trained to black belt standard in many martial arts" - Not good enough Mr Poole - you are either a genuine dan grade or full of BS.
They say ` you couldn't make it up ` - Jack Poole and the BAB did just that.
British Aikido Board Exposed
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
May 14th 2005
The Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Event - Crystal Palace - London
Britain greatest Budo Event - Organised by surviving direct students of K Abbe Sensei.
Two Men in Sharp Contrast to Each Other
1 -William `Bill` Woods Sensei
2 - Vincent Sumpter ( Below ).
Left & Right: Sensei William `Bill` Woods
W Woods Sensei R.I.P.
1953 LJS Judo Champion - 1955 personal aide to Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
We, the organizers of the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Event asked Woods Sensei for a letter to be read on his behalf, knowing he had just months left to live, Bill bravely insisted on attending the event in a wheelchair as an honored guest at the Kenshiro Abbe Memorial Budo Event 2005.
Bill said he wanted to be there in person to pay his final respects to his teacher Abbe Sensei - Bill's son and daughter supported their father as he insisted he wanted to stand and bow when his name was announced - Bill's courage, honour and respect brought a tear to many eyes including my own.
Bill Woods Sensei was my friend for almost 50 years and my inspiration in those early days. - Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis and the event organizing committee officially invited the BAB chairman Mr V Sumpter as an honored gust to represent the BAB membership.
Woods Sensei's honour and respect was in total contrast to the conduct of the British Aikido Board Chairman Vincent Sumpter ( photo left ) who was also invited to attend as an honoured guest to represent the BAB membership - Mr Sumpter refused to attend -- he stated to his British Aikido Board executives " If you insist I attend this event, I will resign as chairman ".
Mr Sumpters executives did not insist, and Mr Sumpter stayed at home.
Despite the crass conduct of the BAB Chairman - Secretary - executives, there were many BAB members involved in this memorable event.
The event was sold out to its maximum capacity of 440 active students - 730 spectators - This was despite the disgusting conduct of the BAB executive Dominic Foster. who was placed outside the entrance doors before opening time, he was attempting to turn people away from entering the event - witnesses statements available.
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Jack Poole and the British Aikido Board
fully documented.
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
All information contained on this site is Legally - Factual - Honest and Truthfully Documented - Available on Hard Copy.
Direct witness statements - Photos - Old 8mm Film - Video - Actual attendence records from disputed times -
Left: BAB Chairman Mr V Sumpter - Right: BAB Secretary Ms S Timms.
BRITISH AIKIDO HISTORY Blog
VS
BAB HISTORY LINEAGE FRAUDULENT CLAIMS
The Shameful story of the ` British Aikido Board
( UK Aikido governing body )
BAB - Appalling Statement.
"We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History - we therefore have no interest in the same ".
" Follow your daydreams - now carefully look behind you before claiming your daydreams are reality "
Henry Ellis
The deluded Mr Poole claims he began Aikido 1952 - Photo - complete beginner - at the "Slough dojo" of Henry Ellis 1968 - witness statements.
The BAB can, and will, turn all of your daydreams in to reality - They will accept any and all credentials without verification, issue BAB certificates for a fee - history - lineage -high grades - approving sham titles .
BAB Arrogance.
Henry Ellis was rebuffed by the BAB chairman Mr Sumpter, as Ellis attempted to avoid a public controversy with the BAB and Mr Poole, regarding the false and fraudulent claims of Mr Poole, a man who's outrageous claims if uncontested would alter the true history and lineage of British Aikido forever, claims which unbelievably were fully supported by the British Aikido Boards chief executives, a group who collectively agreed to ignore the factual irrefutable historic evidence, and proceeded to promote the myths that would make Jack Poole the first British student of Aikido.
The coveted and devalued Samurai Statue.
Photo right: Mr Poole poses proudly with the same Samurai statue as Henry Ellis his first Aikido teacher - `Why` and how, could the BAB create an ordinary student in to a pioneer of British Aikido ?
It is unfortunate for Mr Poole, he will never be remembered as the first British student of Aikido, he will however, be long remembered as the man who in collusion with the BAB executives, brought this once creditable organisation for UK Aikido in to ridicule - disrepute, and self destruction, the BAB membership has now decreased by approx 60% with the reputable JAC and the BAA both UK associated Japanese organisations resigning.
Statement from Pierre Chasang Sensei.
The BAB were fully aware that Mr Jack Poole was a total beginner in 1968 with UK Aikido pioneer Henry Ellis at the `` Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido `` dojo in Slough UK..
Aikido was introduced to the UK by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 - Yet, unbelievably, Mr Poole claimed to have started Aikido in France in 1952 with Tadashi Abe Sensei - Pierre Chasang the first personal aide to Tadashi Abe Sensei in France 1952, stated " Mr Poole never studied with Tadashi Abe Sensei in France - there were no English students during the 1950s "
The true instigators.
Henry Ellis requested a private meeting between himself - Jack Poole and the BAB.
Mr V Sumpter, replied to Henry Ellis's request with a blunt ` NO ', stating, he would `facilitate` a meeting between `Ellis and Poole` with the BAB sitting safely in the background as `` observers `` - Ellis refused as he considered the BAB the main instigator and promoters of the ` British Aikido History Fraud.`
The Shameless Aikidoka
Not only should the BAB executives hang their heads in shame - so should the British Aikidoka that openly supported the BAB and Mr Poole. I have a written statement that BAB members close to Mr Poole, sat with him and using the names of many deceased respected teachers created a history and lineage to defend his bizarre claims.
Sports England meeting between Henry Ellis and Mr Vincent Sumpter Chairman of the BAB
Sport England concluded "...that in allowing the matter to remain unresolved, the BAB have undoubtedly damaged its own reputation, particularly in terms of its perceived ability to openly and decisively deal with grievances in line with their Constitution." The Chairman of the BAB was instructed to extend a full apology to Ellis in respect of the non-action to his complaint of some four years earlier.
Henry Ellis
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BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD
All information contained on this site is Legally - Factual - Honest and Truthfully Documented - Available on Hard Copy.
BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD
&
THE BETRAYAL of BRITISH BUDO
" If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything " - Mark Twain
" No matter your pretence, you are what you are, nothing more "
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei 1915 - 1985
BRITISH AIKIDO BOARD and the Betrayal of British Budo
" Things gained through unjust fraud are never secure " - Sophocles
L to R; The Z Team - Secretary Ms Shirley Timms - Ex Chairman Toni Davis - Chairman Vincent Sumpter - Jack Poole.
Take a look at the crass ex-chairman Toni Davis, when questioned about the fraudulent corruption of British Aikido - he stated to a `General Meeting `.
" We the British Aikido Board are not the custodians of British Aikido History - we therefore have no interest in the same "
As with the disastrous Costa Concordia the BAB Captain jumped first.
News Up-Date
British Aikido Board [BAB]
BAB = Bad at Budo
" Of course its the same old story. Truth usually is the same old story " - Hon Margaret Thatcher.
- Represent the majority of bona fide organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom
These two large reputable Aikido organisations have resigned from the BAB as from the 1st Feb 2014.
The `Joint Aikikai Council ` [ JAC ] and the `British Aikido Association ` [BAA] are both large Aikido groups affiliated with their respective organisations in Japan.
Personally, I fully agree with all the reasons as stated by both the JAC and the BAA for leaving the BAB
The British Aikido Board is a Governing Body incapable of Mediation.
All of the JAC and BAA reasons for resigning have long been highlighted on this site for several years, such as, the BAB not listening to its members concerns - providing online certificates, authorizing any, and all grades, ranging from students grading their own teachers, to self grading, and self promoting titles of Shihan - Soke - Hanshi.- Professor.
I do believe the BAB even have its very own `Grand master ` ?
It is very misleading for Sports UK and the general public, including the whole UK Aikido community, when students grade their own teachers, as so many do, they then have the audacity to publicly claim " Blogs Sensei is ``British Aikido Board approved.`` - Blogs Sensei now has a certificate of authentication, stamped - signed - sealed by the British Aikido Board.
I take no satisfaction in seeing the discredited BAB in decline.
From the 1970s - Derek Eastman and I, with many others. all of whom were formally members of the creditable and highly respected `Martial Arts Commission `
[ MAC - original umbrella organisation for all UK martial arts ].
The whole purpose for this blog was to try [unsuccessfully ] to make the BAB accountable to its members.
During those early days as we the members created the BAB, we honestly believed we were creating an Aikido organisation worthy of its members, with the strength and cohesion for the future of British Aikido,
which it was for several years.
As the BAB began to grow in strength and numbers, it also grew to become overly bureaucratic, it no longer listened or cared for its core members. If a senior member legitimately made an official complaint, as I did - The BAB totally ignored all my correspondence for four years. The BAB secretary Ms Shirley Timms refused to forward to me even the bog standard BAB communications - The BAB Chairman Mr V Sumpter only acknowledged my complaint after four years on the direct orders and demand of Sports England.
Henry Ellis in consultation with Sport England ( Sports UK ) dragged the BAB chairman Vincent Sumpter to a meeting at their head office in London. Sports England demanded that Mr Sumpter issue Henry Ellis with an apology for the appalling conduct of the BAB . See below.
Sports England meeting between Henry Ellis and Mr Vincent Sumpter Chairman of the BAB
Sport England concluded "...that in allowing the matter to remain unresolved, the BAB have undoubtedly damaged its own reputation, particularly in terms of its perceived ability to openly and decisively deal with grievances in line with their Constitution." The Chairman of the BAB was instructed to extend a full apology to Ellis in respect of the non-action to his complaint of some four years earlier.
I have in my possession an email from the BAB chairman advising all executives " Ignore Henry Ellis and he will eventually go away " - How mistaken they were.
Rather than deal with my complaint, I was ignored and vilified by the BAB secretary Ms Shirley Timms who was ably assisted by her then chairman Toni Davis. and the then executive team, nothing changed with the arrival of the new chairman in 2002 of Mr Vincent Sumpter. The BAB continued to spread serious libelous and totally unfounded rumours about me, this was fully exposed in a letter of sincere apology from a respected senior ` ex ` BAB executive.( name withheld for legal reasons )
Full expose below.
News up-date by Henry Ellis. - 16th - October - 2014
Henry Ellis the last survivor of the original first group of five Aikido pioneering students and dan grades of Kenshiro Abbe Sensei from the 1950s. 
