Initially it was under the instruction of Mr Paul Smith, a 3rd degree black belt of the TAGB, and my first instructor. Paul returned back to his 'home' in the north of England in 1998 to be with his family, and Mr Daren Sainsbury (3rd degree at the time) took over. Daren gained his 4th degree soon after, and due to other teaching commitments in 1999, left the school in the capable hands of Mr Chri
s Clarke (2nd degree at the time). In 2001 Chris decided to join PUMA (Professional Unification of Martial Arts) which was formed on 1st September 2000. Most of his students joined PUMA alongside Chris, and one or two stayed with the TAGB. Over the next 17 years, with the aid of assisstant instructor Adam Appleby, Chris taught over 200 students with 49 of them achieving a black belt (Including 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Degree). Chris Clarke retired as a 4th degree, from TaeKwon-Do at the end of Sept 2017. Adam Appleby started training in March 1996. He graded for 1st degree black belt in 1999 with the TAGB in front of a panel of 6th degree black belts, headed by Master Michael Dew (Now 8th degree). In 2002 he graded with PUMA, again in front of a panel 6th degree black belts headed by Master Ray Gayle (Now also 8th degree). He graded for 3rd degree in October 2004 and 4th degree in October 2009 under the careful scrutiny of Senior Master Ray Gayle, Senior Master Jonny Black (8th degree), Master Mark Ogborne (7th degree), and Mr Rob Tettmar (6th degree). Adam has also trained under Grandmaster Choi Jung Hwa (9th degree and the son of the founder of TaeKwon-Do General Choi Hong Hi);
Grandmaster Kwan Jang Nim Cariati (9th degree and ICTF president), Grandmaster Ray O'Neill (9th degree);
And First Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha (9th degree and the first grandmaster promoted by the the founder, General Choi).
