When something needs doing, do it yourself. That was martial arts expert Peter Hutchins' thinking when he searched in vain for a judo club for his son.

Now, 17 years later, his son Adam is a black belt - and 63-year-old Peter, a judo fourth dan, is still running the Wickford club he had to borrow money to set up.

The Beauchamp Akitas club, based in St Andrews Church hall, Wickford, has 40 junior members and 15 seniors, while Peter and wife Fay have set up another group in St Chads, Basildon.

Fay said: "Adam was six when we were looking for a club. We couldn't find anything suitable, so Peter took up judo again and started one himself.

"We were loaned money to buy mats and to use halls, but it wasn't that long before we had a waiting list to join the club.

"Interest in judo has faded a bit in recent times, but a couple of years ago we got a sports council grant, which meant we could get some high-quality mats."

Coming next for the club, which has several black-belt fighters, is a contest in Belgium - specially organised due to Fay's family connections.

She explained: "My sister lives near Rixensaart and we came across a club out there, so we will be going out there to compete in May."

The Hutchins, from Pitsea, are keen to get more numbers for both their clubs.

Fay said: "Judo is a gentle art, much more about balance than strength, and is certainly not as physical as many people think.

"There is no real difference between the sexes for judo. More or less anyone can do it, including disabled people.

"We've taught a one-armed girl, a blind youngster and some deaf children.

"Some parents bring their children along to us to help with self-confidence and women often take up judo for protection."

The couple's clubs run self-defence classes whenever there is enough interest and many of the women then go on to general judo.

Peter, a retired painter and decorator, holds gradings every four months or so. A typical beginner often takes only half that time to earn their first belt.

Peter, a member of the Basildon Sports Council executive, is also an eastern region organiser for the British Judo Council Martial Arts circle.

Fay said: "There are a lot of fly-by-night judo clubs, set up by people who don't have any real experience.

"We belong to BJMAC and Peter has three other proper instructors at the clubs."

Juniors at St Andrews meet from 6.30-8pm on Wednesdays and Thurs-days, while seniors are coached from 8-9.30pm on Wednesdays.

The St Chads set-up holds Monday night sessions for juniors from 5-6.30pm. To find out more, ring Fay on 01268 475764.

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