Grove Park Karate

Throughout 2022, as part of Lewisham's London Borough of Culture 2022, we have been celebrating the  diversity and heritage of groups linked to our charity and community centre  London Borough of Culture 2022. Hearing these stories celebrates the pioneers in whose footsteps we are walking today, as well as helping to inform future collaborations.

​Our friends from Grove Park Karate have an incredible history of spirited karate, discipline and learning between  different communities. 

The club has been based in Goldsmiths Community Centre since the 1970s. Founded by Senei Jimmy Patterson, the shotokan club has produced national and world champions, including Elwyn Hall.

The club teaches a strong and traditional form of Shotokan Karate in a fun and family friendly environment.

Thames Karate International was formed in the 1960s, wehn Sensei Ray Fuller opened the first club in Dartford, with the famous Japanese Instructor, Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda.

Sensei Ray Fuller had trained under a number of famous Japanese Karate masters and set up Thames to spread what he had learned about traditional karate to young people across Kent and South East London.

In the 1970s and 1980s many students entered the national team, with some such as Elwyn Hall going on to win European and World Championships. Many students who started as chidren are instructors today.

The spirit and commitment to tradition endures today through the committee and club instructors and, until recently through the late Chief Instructor, Val Patterson. It is this rich history of spirited karate that motivates the club as they look to train a new generation of students in this ancient Japanese art.

Further information is available on the club's website or email or call 07973 340402 (Keith) or 07736 711684 (Chris)