British Aikido

The Controversy

Sensei Henry Ellis

Page 1 - Page 2

"Those of you that are interested in the martial-arts and in particular Aikido will be aware of the problems of so called "Masters" with false grades and claims for credibility at the expense of others. If you have read my story in the articles section of my site, titled "Positive Aikido" you will be fully aware of my part in the birth of British Aikido and its development from 1956, the following article should of great concern to all genuine Aikidoist's and fellow martial-artist's."

Due to the BAB's recognition of Mr. poole's claim, we have made our protest. It is our intention to allow other aikidoists to think for themselves. We will be making no further protest, but this article will remain on the website. - Sensei Henry Ellis

The Controversy
(Why such a controversy)

Two years ago I received a circular, via the British Aikido Board, inviting me to Mr Jack Poole's celebratory seminar of "47 years in Aikido". At that time this would have placed Mr Poole as the first ever for Aikido in the UK in 1952. This is a very serious statement and offensive to those like myself and others who took part in the birth of British Aikido, and its subsequent promotion. So why the controversy? Mr Poole was an immediate beginner in my Dojo at Slough, Berks, in 1968. One does not have to be a nuclear scientist to calculate that 1968 from 2000 is 32 years (not 47 years) However the BAB in its wisdom refused to answer my subsequent complaint, against Mr Pooles claim, and at the National Seminar 2000 awarded him a bronze samurai statue to celebrate his "40 plus years of Aikido".

The article that follows details these events and has been built up as the events unfolded.

Yours in Budo
Sensi Henry Ellis

For the history of British Aikido, read Sensei Ellis's article "Positive Aikido" in " Fighting Arts International" (included on this site).

The final analysis

On the 29th February 2000 Sensei Ellis sent an official letter of complaint to the British Aikido Board, the letter was addressed to the BAB secretary Mrs S Timms, subsequently Mrs Timms arranged a meeting at "The Hut" with Sensei's Foster, Ellis, Eastman, and Mrs Timms herself to discuss the matters detailed in the letter. It was agreed without doubt that no one had ever heard of Mr Poole prior to him being a beginner in Sensei Ellis's dojo in 1968.

At the BAB meeting held on the 23rd September 2000, the BAB executive denied having received the "official complaint" when the matter was raised by Sensei Derek Eastman. If the BAB executive did not receive the letter, why? It was as a result of this letter that the above meeting took place, so I will ask the question again, why was this important official letter that directly affects the history of British Aikido not placed before the whole of the executive committee?

In brief the evidence against Mr Poole that was offered to the BAB:

Both these photes clearly show Mr Poole as a beginner and were taken in 1968

Sensei Ellis has not one photo of Mr Poole as a beginner in 1968 but several.
A video taken in 1968, clearly showing Mr Poole as a beginner.
Witnesses to these dates:

Chiba Sensei
Ellis Sensei
Eastman Sensei
Goodwin Sensei
Staverou Sensei
Students from that time.

When Mr Poole was asked by a senior member of the BAB "Jack, when and where did you actually start your Aikido", Mr Poole's reply was "errgh, I can't really remember when I started".

On the strength of that brief statement the BAB awarded Mr Poole with a fine samurai statue to celebrate our new leader.

Once again I repeat that the only reason for the controversy article being placed on our Internet site is not malicious but simply to protect the true history of Aikido in the UK.

As of today’s date, 13th October 2000, we have not yet received any advice from a lawyer as to any threatened action. We intend to keep the article on our website and if Mrs Timms and Mr Poole wish to contest the truth then we patiently await your legal response to change hard facts into fiction.

Jack poole
And his forthcoming
"celebration of 47 years of Aikido"
By Henry Ellis Sensei
The controversy

Recently I received a letter from the British Aikido Board, enclosed were the usual documents of a previous general meeting, amongst the papers was a A4 size photo of Mr. Poole, inviting everyone to the above celebration, including me. The content of the poster was of great concern to many others and me who shared in the birth of Aikido in Britain. If you have not read my story in "Fighting Arts International " No 93, and Aikido Today Magazine No 36, they are to be found on this web page.