I set up the Shrewsbury club in 2000. By 2006, I had trained up two of my original students to black sash level. Not long after that, a young man named Rob Leighton joined the club. He had just given up smoking, was keen to get fit and had always wanted to learn Chinese martial arts. He was dedicated and trained hard both in class and at home. In addition to the scheduled classes, he also joined me and a few others for extra training at 6.00 am two mornings a week in the Quarry, whatever the weather. I knew that neither my black sash students nor I would remain in Shrewsbury forever, so I was keeping an eye out for someone local who was dedicated and talented. Rob fit the bill. Eventually, he took over as the club instructor and earned his first-degree black sash. Rob later went on to earn his second-degree and train up two others to black sash level, Ben and Andy. Yesterday, another of Rob's students, Matt, joined the black sash ranks, while Andy was graded to second-degree and Rob himself earned his third-degree. I was there when all three were beginners. I have seen all three progress over the years. I was there yesterday when all three were tested hard. Congratulations to all of you. You made me proud that the club I founded has produced practitioners of your calibre. Declan Chellar

Our training regime consists of hand forms, 2 man sets, sparring, defence techniques, push hands and lots more. This vid shows a small selection of some of those things. If you like what you see, come along and try a class.

We often talk to our students about softness overcoming force by yielding and redirecting. This video is a perfect example. Notice the disparity in height, weight and age between the Taijiquan master and his student. Listen to their breathing. What do you notice? Bear in mind that this is not a fight, nor even a sparring match. It is simply a demonstration of the principle of redirecting force rather than opposing it.

To celebrate instructor Rob Leighton's birthday, here is his gold-medal-winning performance at the International Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan Federation's competition in Quanzhou, China, November 2016. The purpose of such routines is to drill the practitioner in essential techniques, footwork and tactics.

Senior student Matthew Shaw performs the Cane form to win silver at the International Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan Federation's competition in Quanzhou, China, November 2016. The purpose of such routines is to drill the practitioner in essential techniques, footwork and tactics.

Senior student Matthew Shaw performs "Shuang Sui" at the Quanzhou Shaolin Temple, November 2016. The purpose of such routines is to drill the practitioner in essential techniques, footwork and tactics.

Instructor Rob Leighton performs "Qi Sha Shou" at the Quanzhou Shaolin Temple, November 2016. The purpose of such routines is to drill the practitioner in essential techniques, footwork and tactics.

The medal winners from China including Shrewsbury members Rob Leighton who won Gold and a bronze and Matthew Shaw who won 2 silvers.

Morning Training in Quanzhou and a visit to Shaolin Temple