About us

 Alan Beckett (right)  head instructor of Dunbar Self DefenceDennis Martin and Alan Beckett during a break in training at the 2007 international.

Dennis Martin and Alan during a break in training at the 2007 international.

My journey into the martial arts began in 1977 when I joined and trained at the Kobe osaka karate club in Glasgow, however karate was not really for me or I wasn’t for it and I soon left to join a contact karate club located in a boxing gym, this was better as we did not were the traditional Gi and could use the ring for sparring sessions (a real eye opener for me) alas changing employment and relocating to Dunbar coupled with getting married and starting a family led to quite a lay off from martial arts.

I picked up my interest again in 1990 when I began training in Genbukan Ninpo Taijutsu, earning my 2nd dan black belt and eventually taking over the club, this was a major turning point for me and shortly after I decided to make the transition from mainstream martial arts to self protection, to improve my own knowledge in this field I sought out the best instructors and information available.

This is when I first met  Geoff Thompson   and Peter Consterdine co-founders of the British Combat Assoc. 

 

Peter Comsterdine, Alan and Geoff Thompson at our first meeting in Coventry

I became a registered instructor with the British Combat Assoc. and attended many of their excellent seminars at the AT7 center in Coventry, it was at one of these seminars back in 2003 that I first met Dennis Martin  CQB services, Dennis is one of the most knowledgeable people that you will ever find in self protection, over the following years I trained extensively with Dennis becoming a qualified Hard Skills instructor, I continue to learn from Dennis and the many wonderful instructors that are part of his organisation.

 

Brian Kay - senior instructor and coach of the junior section.

 Brian Kay

Brian Kay, co-instructor, like Alan is a black belt in Taijutsu and self defence instructor with the BCA . He has been studying martial arts and self defence for over 10 years. Brian has had great success coaching the junior section of the club which goes from strength to strength.

 

  Kieran Smith -Instructor

Kieran is a stalwart of Dunbar self defence having trained at the club since 1999 he has come through the ranks all the way from the old traditional system and on into the reality based self defence that we now train for, Kieran’s commitment to the club has never wavered, he brings youth, vigour and a fresh perspective to the coaching staff.

 

Stuart Oliver – Instructor

 

 Stuart has become a rock at Dunbar self defence since joining the group back in 2004, Stuart has worked as a youth leader in the U.S and has served in the military, he has a natural coaching ability and is popular with both the senior and junior student body.