Taekwondo
ONE of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world is alive and well in Teesdale.
Taekwondo fifth dan level instructor Jennie Lee is helping the sport to flourish with classes at the Teesdale Sports Centre. The classes are run through the Baek Ho Taekwondo club founded by Master Brian Whiley in 1998.
Taekwondo is the art of self defence that originated in Korea, dating back more than 2,000 years. The sport is open to all ages and includes a class for ages five to eight.
Mrs Lee covers most of the classes alongside Sean Hayes.
Both of her children, Jake and Isla, participate: “It’s taught them control and balance but more importantly it’s a great social sport for them. It’s fantastic for behaviour, the sport is very disciplined and regimental.”
The classes are not just for beginners. Matthew Hendry who has been practising for 14 years is a black belt.
He said: “It’s a hobby for me at the moment but I may take it into a career in the future. It’s great for my stamina and flexibility along with expanding my social circle.”
Running from 10.30am till noon on a Saturday, the Taekwaondo class is open to all abilities and all ages from eight upwards. There is also a class for younger enthusiasts that is run by instructor Isobel Williams.
For more information about classes, contact the Baek Ho Taekwondo club, 01388 710855.
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
