When setting up
classes for the traditional Korean martial art of Kuk Sool Won, twenty-five
years ago the only place that we could find to rent was a very dingy hall at
the Old Malting Leisure Centre; unfortunately it wasn’t too long before we out-grew
these facilities.
After a
continuous search for larger premises we were eventually left scratching our
heads. We realised that certain other facilities, like the Rifle Hall and
Halesworth Middle School were already being used by many other sports clubs and
came to the conclusion there was just nowhere for us to go.
One evening after
a training session a group of dedicated students decided to sit down in the bar
of the Old Malting’s to debate this dreary situation. After a lot of discussion
someone suddenly suggested that we should build our own training hall. It
seemed like a crazy proposition at the time, but non-the-less it was an idea
worth looking into.
After pursuing the
suggestion a little more, we were thankfully offered a small plot of land by
the Halesworth Playing field Association, up at Dairy Hill. Further research and planning came up
with a made-to-measure purpose-built timber framed building, large enough to
hold approximately thirty students, with the solitary use of practicing martial
arts.
After a lot of
blood, sweat and tears, this vision eventually came to fruition and our own
purpose built hall was officially opened in November 1988, exactly one year
after the idea was initially conceived. We were also extremely grateful for the support of Waveney
District Council, John Cliff Building Supplies, donations from local
businesses, as well as many other personal contributions in the way of time, money,
and effort.
Today,
twenty-five years on, we still have a very active martial art school, with
around eighty members, including thirty-five practicing black belts. People
often travel many miles to practice in our purpose built dojang. The building
does have a certain resonance, something that keeps people coming back for more
and more.
What our small building task did display
all those years ago was a real act of “community spirit” - everyone working
together to achieve a common goal.
The commemorative plaque which hangs on the wall say’s it all.
“This
building was once a dream, but was turned into reality by the students of
Haleswoth Kuk Sool Won School” ~ November 1988.
Martin Ducker JIKJN
