Colin was born on 19th March 1940. After attending Woodhill Secondary Modern School in South East London, he started his working life as an apprentice moulder and core maker in the Woolwich Arsenal Ammunitions Factory, immediately he disliked the environment and left as soon as he could to become an apprentice Waterman and Lighterman on the River Thames serving onboard one of the Gazlee and Son fleet of tugs called the Agama which had a proud history in taking part in the second world war evacuation of the Allied forces from Dunkirk.

1958 brought changes on the River Thames and he foresaw that there was very little work before he had chance to complete his apprenticeship. The river was changing, the docks and wharfs were almost at a standstill, losing the familiar hustle and bustle he had grown to love. The River by now was painting a bleak future for a young man of 18 years, he decided to join the Royal Navy in August of 1958.

The highlights of his service included a commission onboard HMS Bermuda and running twice for the Devonport Field Gun Crew as No:13. Interested in more Field Gun history then click here for the Devonport Field Gun Association

The definitive part of his Naval career was a 2 year draft, based onshore in Hong-Kong where he was introduced to the culture and philosophy of the Far East, along with his first experience of Judo and Tai Chi in 1963.

He was demobbed after nine years service in 1967 to face the outside world as a civilian.

• Knowledge and Skills:

After leaving the services he continued gaining experience in the martial arts based on the foundation blocks laid in Hong Kong; gaining other knowledge and skills within the fighting arts including the practice of Judo, Wu Shu-Kwan, Aikido, Karate, and Kung-Fu. These in turn guided him to the philosophical side of the martial arts. During this ‘searching time’ I found the softer side of the practice of yoga.

In 1985 I was re-introduced to the internal art of Tai Chi and Qigong, since then I have practiced various styles including the Weapons and the philosophical and self-healing aspects of the internal arts.

• Continuing Advance Learning & Qualifications:

My own teacher training development is a continuing program through the World Taiji Boxing Association, holding the WTBA 2nd Degree Instructor certificate, this is encompassed with the formal Further and Adult Teachers Certificate, accredited by the City & Guilds 7306 at NVQ level 3 qualification in teacher competence, I started teaching full time in 1995, since then I have gained a wealth of experience both in teaching and the internal arts.

I would like to see a National Standard for Tai Chi coaching, incorporating a recognised teachers qualification, thereby establishing a high standard of Tai Chi practice throughout the UK. My own advance training is continuously evolving and ongoing.

Mitzi was born in Glasgow Scotland in 1934, she remembers clearly the air raids, and especially the bombing of the Clydebank Ship Yards only a few miles from Glasgow. At that time she was evacuated with hundreds of children to the country for safe keeping.

As a young woman she immigrated to New Zealand spending seven years there. During that period of her life she also visited other countries including Panama City, Singapore, Sri Lanka, France, Greece, Italy and Spain.

Her working life has been varied, but the highlight of her working career was as a legal secretary for a firm of solicitors in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

In 1994 she suffered a massive heart attack during which she was resuscitated twice and was incapacitated for a long time afterwards. While incapacitated she started searching for some form of soft exercise to help her recuperate. In 1995 she discovered Tai Chi and has never looked back. Her studies and hard work over the last 12 years was rewarded by the World Taiji Boxing Association level one Instructor Certificate. Since then she has met the requirements of the TCQHC Senior Instructor level and now holds the grade of Principal Instructor with Colin. She is also the TCQHC Secretary looking after the financial and administration requirements of the TCQHC Association.

In March 2006 she had open heart surgery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire. She has since recovered with flying colours returning to teaching at the club within three weeks after the operation. She says “the specialists at Papworth believe my recovery was so quick because of my Tai Chi and Qigong practice”. No wonder she’s called the Iron Lady! But Colin still prefers the name of ‘Tai Chi Butterfly’. Mitzi’s hobbies are: reading, horse riding, sudoku and Egyptian dance.

Her outlook and tenacity for life can certainly be admired.

Our assistant Instructors have considerable coaching experience and meet on a regular basis to keep their teaching skills updated to the requirements of the TCQHC criteria, aims and objectives. They also attend ongoing advancement sessions to improve their own level of competence. They also form the Association committee and are loyal member of the Taiji in Action Display Team

Frances Custance

Joined the Association on: 27/02/2002

Frances has been a loyal dedicated member and is a long term display team member.

Sid Brady

Joined the Association on: 05/11/1997

Sid is a long term faithfull club member and is a Qigong leader.

Joy Woodgate

Joined the Association on: 02/10/2000

Joy is a loyal dedicated member always willing to help out when needed and is a long term display team member.

John Harrison

Joined the Association on: 04/01/2006

John is currently studying for his Taiji Stick Instructor Module and is a long term display team member.

Dawn Clark

Joined the Association on: 02/10/2000

Dawn is a dedicated member and resourceful ambassador for the Association and is a long term display team member.