THIS month sees Tavistocks Ju Jitsu web site notch up its thousandth hit!

The site which was launched in May has been a great success for the club.

Visitors are able to find out about the club and all things concerning JuJitsu. From Japanese pronunciation to the history of the art. From the site, you can find out about coming events and what?s involved with taking up Ju Jitsu.

?I?ve really enjoyed putting together this site for the club,? says the

site creator, Jim Griffiths. ?So many sites these days look nice, but don?t really tell you anything of interest. This site looks great, but also has so many interesting areas that it?s attracted visitors from all over the world.

?Local interest has been very good, with people coming down from Exeter and up from Cornwall to train having visited the site. Having won ?site of the month? on various Martial Arts directories, I believe it?s one of the best sites there is as an introduction to Ju Jitsu.?

l NOVEMBER saw the last Ju Jitsu seminar for 2003, but it was not the same as previous ones, as it was a Ju Jitsu and Aikido seminar.

Guest instructors were Billy Doak Shihan 7th dan Goshin Ju Jitsu and David Rubens Sensei 5th dan Yoshinkan Aikido who shared their vast knowledge with the many students.

This event was a great opportunity for some of the students of the Ju Jitsu Tavistock Club to be exposed to the art of Aikido. But what?s Aikido? And what?s the relation with Ju Jitsu?

Umberto Bergonzini Sensei said: ?Aikido which translates ?the way of harmony?, is a modern Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). It is unique as a martial art in that it places great emphasis on ethical principles that are embodied in the application of its techniques.

?The technical roots of Aikido derive, for the most part, from different styles of Ju Jitsu. Aikido takes the principal of circular motion, which is found in some Ju Jitsu techniques, and strives to perfect it.?

The club meets on Tuesdays between 7.30pm and 9pm and Thursdays between 8pm and 9pm. Anyone interested in joining can contact Umberto on (01822) 618952 or come to one of the classes which are held in the dance studio at Tavistock College. More information about the club can be obtained by visiting the website http://www.jujutsu.me.uk">www.jujutsu.me.uk