In 1970 Steve and friend Paul where playing football in their home village Dedham when they noticed a bunch of men in funny white suites running through the village. 

At the time Kung Fu the TV series was very big and they were both big fans and so were very intrigued but what they saw.

The next time they saw the runners they built up the courage and asked, "err mate what you doing?" 

Fortunately for them one of the men Peter Lamb stopped and was happy to talk to them, He explained it was a martial art called Karate, Both Boys were infatuated and listened to every word and from that moment were hooked.

Peter offered to give them some training in Paul's garden and that's where the Dedham Karate Club started.

After a while more children were interested and wanted to join, The Dedham School hall was hired and as the weeks went on more and more people came, we also attracted people from Colchester and neighbouring villages.

In 1972 the Club was asked to do a display at the School fete, This was a very big thing for the club and they knew the whole village would be watching and they would have to do a good display, at the time very few students had gi's and so were asked to get one. Steve knew at this point his parents could not afford it and so left the club. He knew the club would have got him one but left rather than face the embarrassment. 

This was a decision that Steve would regret and is why the club today will never stop anyone practicing karate because of a lack of money, He also lets Students pay in instalments and will provide suits etc free if he knows the student and not afford them.

Steve Says "I will NEVER let anyone suffer the embarrassment and loss I felt as a child, I don't blame anyone, it was just how thing where then"

Anyway after a number of years in 1990 and two children later Steve started Tai Chi in Colchester with the Taoist Tai Chi Society. 

There he meet  a lady who's daughter ran a karate club that would accept children and adults together, Something most clubs at the time didn't allow. 

Again this is a policy that Steve keeps to this day, The club is open to adults and children together, of any ability and age. Fathers, Mothers and children can have an interest together.

Steve went along with his children and from the moment he walked in the dojo he was hooked again. 

The style of the club was Shotokan, Steve worked hard and started working through his grades, he didn't race through them as he wanted to be as good as he could and took time to make sure that all his basic's, katas and combinations where the best he could do. Kevin a member of Steve's band Solid Gold joined The Club in 1992. 

Steve says "I think anyone who is only interested in working as fast as they can through their grades to get to black belt will end up not very powerful and will not have good techniques."

Instructors at the Colchester Shotokan Karate Club are Nikki and Shaun Bryant, their excellent training soon brought Steve into shape.

Kevin passed his Black Belt in 1996.

In 1997 Steve and Kevin started the Stratford St Mary Karate Club, Shaun Bryant Instructed but after a while the Shaun's commitments meant he that he could no long Instruct at Stratford and so Kevin was made head instructor and Steve assistant.

The Club went from strength to strength and at times Had two Dojos running. 

It become affiliated to the Toyakwai Karate Association in it's own right. 

In 1999 Steve took his Black belt 1st Dan Grade and passed with flying colours.

2003 the club moved to Dedham and was renamed to the Dedham Shotokan Karate Club.

Due to increased work load Kevin moved to assistant instructor and Steve became Head Instructor.

The Club has more and more members joining every week.