News and Events

Tree of Knowledge

A joint celebration, of the newly-named University of Chester and the anniversary of a major international gathering on its city campus, was marked with the symbolic planting of a purple plum sapling.

The tree signifies 25 consecutive and fruitful years of the Parkgate Road site hosting the British Aikido Federation (BAF) summer school, which attracts up to 400 practitioners of this non-aggressive martial art from all over the world.

The University’s Director of Conference Services, Cathy Brownlow, said:

This year, delegates attended from Norway, Poland, Russia, France and Holland, generating income for our institution and making a significant contribution to Chester’s economy, as well as being some of our most pleasant visitors.

“The tree was planted outside our state of- the art conference facilities in the Binks Building, so that everyone who uses the site can enjoy it through the seasons.

“We are grateful to the BAF for their continuing relationship with the University and look forward to welcoming members back next summer.”

As the BAF has close ties with the traditional founders of Aikido at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, its teaching and development excludes any form of competition or violence and promotes concern for others, both inside and outside the practice room.

Attending the tree-planting ceremony along with Aikido delegates, University staff and officials, Steve Parr, Summer School Director, was full of praise for the University. He said:

“One of the main reasons we keep returning to Chester is because it really feels like we are ‘coming home’.

“Staff are always ready to assist immediately if we need them, and are always very welcoming. In many cases, they already know many of our delegates from previous years and this really contributes to the homely and relaxed feel of the event.

“Having everything we need on one site is very important for us too. This combination makes Chester very special to us”

Shigeru Sugawara (6th Dan) from Hombu Dojo, the Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, plants the commemorative tree, watched by:

Steve Parr – Summer School Director and Chief Instructor with Chester Aikido Club (5th Dan);
Sensei Matthew Holland – Scottish Aikido Federation (6th Dan);
Peter Gillard – Chairman of the British Aikido Federation (5th Dan);
Minoru Kangetsuka – Technical Director of the British Aikido Federation (7th Dan) and
Professor Tim Wheeler – Vice Chancellor of the University of Chester.