A MARTIAL arts club that has helped more than 1,000 children gain experience of karate has held its final training session.
The Kate Easdale Black Belt Academy (KEBBA) started at Downend School in the late 1990s with a small group of enthusiastic juniors.
It grew steadily until more than 170 children took part each week, with the main venues for lessons at Page Community Association in Staple Hill and St John’s Church Hall in Keynsham.
KEBBA held annual summer camps, staged Christmas shows and took part in an international junior karate event in Portugal in 2013.
However founder and leader Kate Jones decided the time was right to close the club at the end of September, so she can focus on family life with four young teenagers at home.
Kate, of Mangotsfield, said: “My martial arts journey started at 17 when I tagged along with my brother to a local karate class.
“Joining was the best decision I ever made – not just for my fitness, but because I met my husband there. Fast forward 34 years, and here we are with four children, two cats, and a lifetime of shared memories.
“I initially juggled the club with a full-time career, but soon realised the kids deserved an instructor with real time and energy.
“I transitioned to part-time work and eventually left my day job entirely to run KEBBA full-time.”
Some recent members have parents who trained with the club as children, and many adult Zenshin dojo members discovered karate because their children were part of KEBBA.
Kate said: “Closing the doors is incredibly tough, but with my children fast approaching their exam years, I am stepping into a role of undivided parental focus.”
Kate is planning a party for families involved in KEBBA next year, to celebrate the club’s impact.