END OF AN ERA...Sadness as Rotherham Martial Arts Club leaves its home of 22 years

Rotherham Martial Arts Centre is leaving its base on Domine Lane in the centre of Rotherham after 22 happy years.

The building is being demolished to make way for flats and instructor, Sensei John Ball, and his dedicated band of pupils will close the doors for the final time next week with a heavy heart.

“When we moved into the premises in 1998, it was a derelict building,” said John.

“We did work on it to meet strict sound proofing regulations and installed new flooring, roofing, wiring, changing facilities and stairwell.

“It took nearly a year to do the renovation work and we finally got planning permission in November 1999 to start training.

“It is going to be sad to leave the old place but what has made the building is the people I have had in over the years.”

They include Paul Royston, who is now the Shindo Kai kumite coach, and Gina Taylor, who won several top competitions.

John's son, Alan, was runner-up three times in the Hong Kong Championships and was asked to represent Hong King on the Malaysian Open, where he also finished runner-up.

“There are a lot of others who have trained in the building and done well in competitions as well as many others, including youngsters with autism,” added John.

“I thought as much about my other students as those who had successes and it has been so satisfying to see them all learn and develop.”

John, who is a 6th Dan, has been in the Shindo Kai Karate Federation for 30 years. He took up sport as a young man in 1977 and started coaching two years later.

John with some of his students.

Rotherham Martial Arts Centre has had many homes including Greasbrough Public Hall, Rawmarsh Baths and Rawmarsh's Queens Hotel as well as 13 years at Silverwood Miners Welfare.

But it is at Domine Lane where the club has its strongest ties.

The old building, which was once a church and a bank, has lots of history — and plenty more.

“There is a spirit here,” said John. “I locked the place up one night and re-opened it two days later to find our Christmas tree had been moved.

“Another day a slat of wood shot out for no reason and I've seen apparitions.

“I've so many memories of the place. I was training one day and heard a commotion outside. I went out and saw two men grappling so I used my self-defence skills and helped the police to make an arrest.”

John, now 70, doesn't want the club to fold.

“The premises the council were offering were just too expensive,” he said. “My numbers have dropped partly because of the uncertainty.

“I still enjoy coaching and we have made enquiries about moving to the ROAR building around corner so we will see what comes next.”