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306 Educators providing Recreational courses in Halesowen

Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training

gill arnold dressmaking training

West Midlands

I live and work in Solihull and am married with two boys. I have an obsessive love of sewing, which has driven my career through a wide range of sewing related experiences. I came from a family of sewers and from a very early age was encouraged to be creative. My love of embroidery and needlework led me to pursue a career in teaching. I attended a specialist needlework and home economics teacher training College in Liverpool. I always enjoyed "hands on work" and gained experience working with an expert team of fitting and alteration seamstresses at an exclusive dress shop the summer I finished at Liverpool. I wanted a creative career, so I applied for the position of wardrobe assistant at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This was a wonderful work experience, sewing fabulous fabrics and making a diverse range of costumes. The theatre wardrobe mistress encouraged me to continue studying and I enrolled for a City and Guilds course. Although theatre working hours were long, they were flexible and I could study and work full time. I achieved merit for City and Guilds Creative Studies; two years later I received a distinction in Fashion and Design and won the year prize. My qualifications and experience opened another career opportunity in the fashion industry. I wanted to work fewer hours and the job I was offered provided training in production planning and buying. Working regular hours I decided to think again about the teaching career I had abandoned. I was employed by Birmingham Adult Education Department to work in evenings teaching Embroidery and Needlework. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, so when I married and the family arrived I gave up full time work in industry. I returned to college, updated my teaching qualifications and became a part time teacher In the early 90's I wrote the Tailoring Programme for the West Midlands Access Foundation, later used by Open College Network. By 1996 I was determined to offer my own courses, now known as Gill Arnold Dressmaking Training. In 1997 I became Sewing World magazine's pattern specialist. Over 20 years teaching has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge to produce articles on patterns and fitting. I have also written for Sew Today and American publications. With the support of the sewing industry I enjoy being a regular exhibitor at shows all over the country including the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. My yearly programme provides a full range of sewing events, exhibitions, seminars, cloth sales, trips and courses.

Red Dragon Karate School

red dragon karate school

Walsall

Shi-han Sensei Louis Casamassa, a 10th degree black belt is Grand Master of Red Dragon Karate and founder of the American Karate Kung Fu Federation (A.K.K.F.). He originated the American Form style. During the 60’s he traveled extensively throughout the Orient studying many different styles of martial arts. In keeping with yankee ingenuity and American tradition he took the best 7 major martial arts forms and combined them into one new powerful and effective style which is known as the Red Dragon style of martial arts. Red Dragon is a true “American Original.” Founded in 1965 by former U.S. Marine Corp military police officer and 10th degree black belt, Louis D. Casamassa. During the 1950’s, he traveled throughout the land studying with a wide variety of masters in many different styles of martial arts. He spent decades gaining knowledge, and wisdom along with a wealth of business information to enhance his ever expanding martial arts skill. In keeping with Yankee ingenuity and American tradition he used the 7 best major martial art styles and combined them into one new, very powerful and effective style which is now known as the Red Dragon style of Martial Arts. Our brand and our system of martial arts was founded upon Grand Master Casamassa’s love of the Arts. We have flourished for over half a century because of his ingenuity. Shihan Sensei Casamassa is considered by many to be the “Michelangelo of Martial Arts” by taking and combining his knowledge, talent, ingenuity and wisdom, he created an entire system of self defense that is unrivaled and one that has stood the test of time and has provided generations of Americans with a great way of experiencing the Martial arts. The Red Dragon Karate program is unique because of our original approach at mixing the best martial arts styles. Today, we are widely considered the original “Mixed Martial Art,” Red Dragon Karate continues to grow because of our focus on developing the best trainers and instructors who instill character based “Life Skills” in our students. This teaching of self-discipline, self control, and self esteem when reinforced within the protocols of a Red Dragon studio, and empower our members to become responsible, productive leaders in our community.