Senior members of Somerset Ving Tsun Kuen
Chris Spears
I have known Chris (Fei) since the late Nineties. We shared a common interest when I discovered that he has been studying Ancient Chinese history for the last fifteen years and his knowledge of the Three Kingdoms era is beyond exceptional.
He displays honour in his day-to-day life that is sorely missing here in the West. His passion for the people and culture of the East shows in everything he does. I've never met a more compassionate and giving human being.
Chris has been training Wing Chun with me since before I opened the doors to my school and indeed helped me actually open the school back in 2008.
I am proud to call him my brother, disciple and friend. Chris is an asset to my class as indeed he is to this country. Chris is the longest standing, original foundation members of Somerset Applied Wing Chun Kuen. He is not only a great student but I also consider him a very close friend of myself and an extension of my personal family.
He displays honour in his day-to-day life that is sorely missing here in the West. His passion for the people and culture of the East shows in everything he does. I've never met a more compassionate and giving human being.
Chris has been training Wing Chun with me since before I opened the doors to my school and indeed helped me actually open the school back in 2008.
I am proud to call him my brother, disciple and friend. Chris is an asset to my class as indeed he is to this country. Chris is the longest standing, original foundation members of Somerset Applied Wing Chun Kuen. He is not only a great student but I also consider him a very close friend of myself and an extension of my personal family.
Drew Baynes
Drew's brother initially introduced him to martial arts when he was very young, a form of White Crane Kung Fu, and Drew loved it.
The Kung Fu media boom of the 70's had already impacted heavily on Drew's imagination and this planted the seed for future fruition.
Drew tried Judo and Karate before he focused his energy on his other love, Rugby League. This coupled with daily gym sessions kept him busy untill he eventually enlisted as an armourer in the Royal Navy.
Drew competed as a field gunner - this role is not for the faint hearted and even within the forces, its about as extreme as it gets.
After leaving the Navy, Drew decided to take up martial arts full time, and after much searching for the right class, Drew found us here at Somerset Ving Tsun Kuen. 2010 to present day
I have got to know Drew outside of class, we have been on many adventures together and become close friends. He is totally transparent, and 'does what it says on the tin'. It gives me great pleasure to add him to this page, he is a true disciple and one of the original founders of our school and I am immensely proud to call him my brother.
The Kung Fu media boom of the 70's had already impacted heavily on Drew's imagination and this planted the seed for future fruition.
Drew tried Judo and Karate before he focused his energy on his other love, Rugby League. This coupled with daily gym sessions kept him busy untill he eventually enlisted as an armourer in the Royal Navy.
Drew competed as a field gunner - this role is not for the faint hearted and even within the forces, its about as extreme as it gets.
After leaving the Navy, Drew decided to take up martial arts full time, and after much searching for the right class, Drew found us here at Somerset Ving Tsun Kuen. 2010 to present day
I have got to know Drew outside of class, we have been on many adventures together and become close friends. He is totally transparent, and 'does what it says on the tin'. It gives me great pleasure to add him to this page, he is a true disciple and one of the original founders of our school and I am immensely proud to call him my brother.
Paul Hayhoe
Paul started his Ving Tsun Kuen journey January 2016 after making a promise to a man that he'd only just met in the street, a month earlier. The guy he met was Sifu Steve, he spoke about Ving Tsun. Such was the impact Paul made good his promise
A truly amazing man with a deep clear understanding of the Ving Tsun system. Aquired in part, from very quickly, going on to become one of Sifu Steve Maidens closest friends outside of class gleaning knowledge in their daily interactions.
A truly amazing man with a deep clear understanding of the Ving Tsun system. Aquired in part, from very quickly, going on to become one of Sifu Steve Maidens closest friends outside of class gleaning knowledge in their daily interactions.
James Evangelista (Jim)
Jim started training in Ving Tsun 33 years ago 1992 alongside Steve Maidens. Going his own way 1995 until 2010. Jim returned to become Sifu Steves student in 2010 and coaches and trains to present day
Elmira Watts
Ok, hands up, I don't know much about her, except that Elmira is Russian and she is married to her husband, who is called Chris and he is a good man and an exceptional master builder.
What I do know is that she is the only lady that has ever put up with me long enough to achieve the skills and knowledge in our Wing Chun that she has....I am so proud.
What I do know is that she is the only lady that has ever put up with me long enough to achieve the skills and knowledge in our Wing Chun that she has....I am so proud.
Mark Bartholomew
He is an ex marine and a fantastic guy...
He puts up with me too...
Seriously though, he has become a student to the system (he gets my ramblings) and I am proud to call him a friend.
Send me another blog mate :)
ok hands up, you sent, I lost....
Until then, he is an ex Royal Marine, two terms in Iraq, nice guy, trains well and enjoys a laugh x
Found that Moon gate yet ?
He puts up with me too...
Seriously though, he has become a student to the system (he gets my ramblings) and I am proud to call him a friend.
Send me another blog mate :)
ok hands up, you sent, I lost....
Until then, he is an ex Royal Marine, two terms in Iraq, nice guy, trains well and enjoys a laugh x
Found that Moon gate yet ?
Rich
Mike
Oli
Henry
Malcolm Dyke (Malchom) our man
Malc began his Martial Arts journey in 1998, beginning with Wado Ryu Karate which he studied for 3 years. After getting married and moving away, he took up the Korean Martial art of Hapkido, which he studied for many years achieving the status of 1st Dan Black Belt.
Malc began training Wing Chun in November of 2013, the first new pupil at the newly opened Somerset Wing Chun Yeovil class, and he's been there ever since.
Malc is a great guy, a pleasure to train with and he is always one of the first to help new students within the class that may be struggling.
Malc began training Wing Chun in November of 2013, the first new pupil at the newly opened Somerset Wing Chun Yeovil class, and he's been there ever since.
Malc is a great guy, a pleasure to train with and he is always one of the first to help new students within the class that may be struggling.
Andras Millward
Andras learns at an incredible rate and his thirst for the real deal is immense. I've always believed in Andras, as much as I know he believes In me, because of this, we have become great friends as well as training partners. I am happy to call him my brother and he is a welcome member of my personal family.
Together Andras and I have formed the "WSL VT South West Collective", an organisation free of politics and martial arts garbage, dedicated to the promotion of Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun as laid out by David Peterson.
Andras has gone on to reach great levels with his knowledge and training and now he spearheads the Bristol ABMVT crew and deserves credit for this personal achievement.
Unfortunately Andras is no longer with us. He now sings at the table of Valhalla. I miss you mate, you've no idea how much
Together Andras and I have formed the "WSL VT South West Collective", an organisation free of politics and martial arts garbage, dedicated to the promotion of Wong Shun Leung Ving Tsun as laid out by David Peterson.
Andras has gone on to reach great levels with his knowledge and training and now he spearheads the Bristol ABMVT crew and deserves credit for this personal achievement.
Unfortunately Andras is no longer with us. He now sings at the table of Valhalla. I miss you mate, you've no idea how much