Nigel moved from London almost forty years ago in order to start his own business, Universal Carpets, which served the local area for over twenty years, before opening the first town centre Universal Gym and Health club, which was very popular in Clacton Town introducing therapies to the local community. During these periods, he was a member of Clacton Round table, one of the organizers of the Weeley Pop Festival and had great fun in the famous ‘80s storms in helping evacuate Nemo the killer whale from the pier which was collapsing.

Nigel first became interested in the martial arts when taken hostage many years ago in Singapore by two escaped convicts from Changi jail. Although he survived unhurt, he was determined to learn self defence so as to not be humiliated ever again. He studied Judo for eight years, then karate for three years and then Hapkido self defence for ten years attaining black belt in two of these disciplines. He finally became interested in Tai Chi about fifteen years ago, and he decided that he preferred this discipline because the gentle exercises were more to his liking. During this period, he witnessed a person receive bad injuries, but recovered as a result of acupuncture and energy healing, because there was no medic available. Nigel was totally fascinated with this but also very sceptical of these concepts. He pursued this interest by travelling to China, Mongolia, India and Thailand and was eventually trained in Oriental Medicine covering Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, herbal medicine and sports injuries resulting in his being awarded Master in Tai-Sul a few years ago.

During his life he served in the Army first in Singapore and then in Malaya as a dog handler. He attempted to climb Everest but failed and perhaps he is too old to try again, but he has flown over it and trekked over 700 miles across the Himalayas and run Chi Kung classes to the local Sherpa’s in the mountains which he found fun. He has been on a couple of expeditions to the artic circle on a motor bike with his fourteen year old son. He has opened Therapy training and Tai Chi schools in India and Thailand and has been involved in the translation of ancient scripts and writings which contain a Thai Massage syllabus for westerners which was accepted by the Northern Thai Council and still used to this day. He has a keen interest interest in treating wild animals with Reiki (for he is a Reiki Master) and because you cannot fool an animal with auto suggestion, Nigel gets great satisfaction from knowing that Reiki really does work. Nigel has a son and daughter and two grandchildren that have all emigrated to Australia and America but still keep in touch via satellite.

He is a keen sailor, biker and enjoys classic cars.

Les is a local man with the soft gentle Essex accent who makes his Chi Kung students feel at ease from the start. In his early years he served in the Royal Navy, before coming back to the area where he married and settled down. He first became interested in the martial arts in the form of Judo, running a club at Green Lodge. It is interesting to note that it was during this time that Nigel also practised Judo, but despite the fact that they had both heard of each other, they had never met. It was several years later that Les attended a Tai Chi seminar that he became interested in learning the old yang style long form. However, being a perfectionist, he was not happy with the training as he considered it to be too westernised, so he started again, studying from the style of the Great Chinese Masters until he was happy that it was correct. This was when he first felt the Chi energy in his hands and he knew his training was working, so he proceeded to concentrate more on the ‘vital energy’ side called Chi Kung.

Les carried on his studying and training over the next twenty years. Nigel, who has worked under many masters, appreciated Les’ skill and understanding of Oriental Medicine and awarded him with the Senior Teacher Certificate with the Tai Sul Association, making him the only person awarded to be awarded this status where he now teaches. During the last 10 years, Les also trained in Reiki which he found with natural ease after his other energy work. He is successful in applying it and is a Reiki Master. During the last few years Les has been studying the ‘Chinese sword’ and has plans on learning the ‘walking stick’ defence forms and also teaching in France.

A keen gardener, walker, golfer, he enjoys boat fishing which he finds tranquil and enjoyable whether he catches anything or not. He is a keen animal lover and always offering to help people less well off than himself.

Rowena gained her black belt in Shotokan Karate in 2004 and her Assistant Instructor status by her continued patience and professional approach when taking lessons or groups in conjunction with the club syllabus. In particular, on account of her having helped perfect kata within the club and on many occasions she has seen her instructruction rewarded in individual and team events, particularly with Clacton "A" team Kata, who apart from winning numerous trophies, remained unbeaten though 5 major tournaments.

Rowena was presented with her qualifying certificate from the Chief Instructor, Sensei Elkin, in his capacity as an Assesor in October 2003.

Rowena was a former Kata champion of the Toyakwai International Open (November 2000), National Goju-Kai Open (November 2000), Essex Grand Open (October 2000) and Funakoshi Open (September 2000), as well as Kata Silver Medallist in the Essex Open (July 2001), Essex Open (June 2000) and London Kata Open (May 2000). She also held the Club's own Best Competitor (Kata) 2000 Award, as well as winning the Club's Karate-Do shield in June 2000 and again in June 2003. Rowena joined the Clacton Shotokan Karate Club in 1999.

Rowena was awarded the Year One Teaching Certificate in Tai Chi in December 2005, and teaches weekly at local sessions.

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