Marion Woodard is inviting women women involved in Judo from the 1940s to mid 1990s to submit stories and anecdotes to her for a book.
Responses can be sent direct to Marion or sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we'll pass them on.

WHAT WE NEED

If you were involved in women’s judo from the 40s to the mid 90s OR know someone who was – we need memories and anecdotes for posterity.

Gill Freeman (nee Shelton) is writing a book about the early years of women’s judo. It will be an informal story about early years from the suffragettes’ links with judo to the first lady dan grades and coaches, and women’s national training sessions , to the first Europeans with our first European Champion of Chris Child to the World Championships – and the BJA’s first world Champion of Jane Bridge.

The book will have information about how developments were achieved through Committees (and just plain sneaky tactics ) ……BUT it’s essential that we have tales and anecdotes about the early years from people who were involved in women’s judo as players, fighters, competition officials, coaches, and referees or supporters.

Memories from men and women would be welcome -- yes without access to brave men coaches who were prepared to help ladies we wouldn’t be where we are today. The book is not just about committees and competition results – it needs to reflect everyday changes, events and progress around the country….. so this is why we need your tales.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. Please send in your stories - you can do this in writing or by recording them on an ‘old style’ cassette tape.

What will be appropriate?

Anecdotes about getting acceptance to practice at clubs, tales of Area training sessions (did you practise at clubs where the ice was on the INSIDE of the windows – those were the days), inter club competitions , becoming the first Competition Controller in your Area etc

What will not be appropriate / included?

Negative personal comments about Areas, clubs, individuals, your CV

2. Please include your full name (and nee names if you wish), the club / area where you practised and the rough dates of the anecdotes e.g. early 60s, autumn 1975 AND details of your preferred contact method (phone, email, postal address).

3. The receive by date is 31st December 2015

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

1. Your anecdotes will be included in the book and your name and details will be given - unless you ask us not to include them. You will be sent acknowledgement of receipt of your contribution

2. Later you will be sent a draft of what will be in the book for you to approve, information about where your story will be in the book and a consent form for its inclusion in the book.

3. It is anticipated that the book will be published in late 2016. It is hoped to have a book launch at Bath University to publicise the Library’s collection of judo knowledge – The Richard Bowen Collection, decades of judo magazines, Budokwai bulletins etc