A KARATE club feels proud to be celebrating its 20th anniversary despite celebrations taking a back seat due to Covid-19.

Silwood Park Karate in Bracknell have been giving a sense of normality for its club members by hosting virtual lessons during the lockdown.

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The club celebrated winning medals at this years 20th Legend Open Karate Championship, winning Silver and Bronze in the Female Junior Team Kata, Silver in Men’s Veteran Kata and Bronze in Men’s Veteran Kumite.

Parents and Karate instructors Sensei Daniel Rose and Sensei Gillian Rose wanted to continue highlighting the high spirits of their club members during the coronavirus lockdown.

Sensei Daniel said ‘We are offering a range of training venues from virtual, to outdoor and indoor to reflect the different levels of confidence in returning to an adjusted normality.

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"The positive impact of returning to training has been noticeable and many parents have commented on this."

Silwood Park Karate’s organised a series of challenges for the children to embark on alongside daily training videos.

This ranged from Belt Tying and Counting in Japanese to the intense test of perseverance of ‘How many grains of rice are in a packet’.

Karate member Oliver counted 31,700 grains of rice, checked carefully by his dad!

Students have also helped fundraise during lockdown with member Charlie raising £196 for the NHS doing a kata at 26 minutes past the hour every waking hour.

Evelyne from Bracknell also raised £155 doing a sponsored haircut and donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Sensei Daniel added: "The support from Bracknell’s local community has been amazing, from Julia Miller at Bracknell Town Council who immediately offered the use of the tennis courts at Great Hollands Recreation Ground to enable the club to start offering reduced-capacity outdoor lessons, Kall Kwik Print Room in Bracknell who produced COVID-safe guidance banners in under 24 hours, to the staff at Wildridings Primary School who have offered new indoor and outdoor training venues from August.

"Silwood Park Karate has been truly touched by the generosity and willingness to help. And of course the instructors have had lots of kind words from our members and their families. Silwood Park Karate is excited to be back training, following the latest government advice and recommendations and are now rebuilding the club with new beginner lessons being launched."