Bedworth Martial Arts Academy

Expands

Three years ago Sil Lum Kune opened it first full time martial arts academy in Bedworth. The association has had classes in the Bedworth area dating back to the late 1950’s, but with its growth and expansion since 1997 when Paul Burkinshaw took over as the Chef Instructor the club has needed to accommodate this expansion.

During August, September and October major work started at the corner of Mill street. Number 55 received a lot of renovation work and soon a Chinese style canopy was erected over the shop front. Many people speculated that a Chinese restaurant was opening until the final touches and emblems were put in place. Sil Lum Kune has expanded once again.

The club has classes around the Midlands and also in Swansea and up near Newcastle at Alnwick, as well as new instructors preparing to start many new classes in other areas in the coming new year. Bedworth is the head office and has therefore needed to cover this near national spread of its organisation.

Paul said “ When renovating the new building I especially wanted to give it its own character and identity to reflect the Chinese martial arts. Hence the building of the Chinese style roof on the front on the academy. I believe that this has created major interest and has given the club / students pride in being part of this monument and organisation. This particular design was inspired when our club visited the Shaolin Temple in China at Easter. I would like to thank the many students who laboured and Jim Maguire (builder) who helped us achieve all this with their hard work over the past three months.”

This is only the first stage of development on this site. Plans are currently with the council to redevelop the back garages and part of the car park to build a larger training hall. Once this has been built 55 Mill Street will be used for courses, meetings, administration and remedial massage, while the main training hall at the rear will accommodate all the classes.