Pete Hornby - 7th Degree
Local man Pete Hornby started at the Stafford Lau Gar club as one of the first students to enrol. Pete took over as Stafford's chief instructor in 1983 and was appointed a Guardian of Lau Gar in 2000. Pete is one of the most experienced members of the British Kung Fu Association and the students of the Stafford club are very fortunate to have him as their chief instructor.
Randall Salmon - 4th Degree
Randall is an instructor with many years experience. A 4th degree black sash he is well versed in the traditional aspects of Lau Gar which is complemented by considerable experience in competition fighting. For now, it's all about teaching, "It's about passing it on..." Randall says.
Date achieved black sash: 1980
Alec Clark - 5th Degree
Alec Clark, dedicated Lau Gar man, is not only a 5th degree black sash but also one of the Guardians of Lau Gar.
Date achieved black sash: 1987
Brian Roberts - 5th Degree
Having finished university Brian wanted to do a fighting art for fitness; physical and mental strength. "It really does change you. Gives you confidence, a sense of responsibility and you meet some great people" says Brian. He has competed against World and European champions in semi contact and kickboxing and also brings with him skills from multiple other hard style martial arts he has studied as well as his time spent as a prison officer.
Date achieved black sash: 2002
Jane Gratton - 5th Degree
Jane has many years experience in Lau Gar Kung Fu.
A former BKFA national champion and medallist, Jane has also trained with kung fu masters in Foshan, China.
In 2016, she qualified as a 4th Duan Wei Chen Style Tai Chi instructor with Grandmaster Liming Yue.
Date achieved black sash: October 2011
Holly Cook - 5th Degree
Holly achieved her third degree black sash in June 2017 and began her Kung Fu journey in 2006 at the age of 10. Over the past 10+ years Holly has gained extensive experience in Lau Gar Kuen, Wushu, Chen Tai Chi, Yang Tai Chi, Qigong and Chinese Lion Dance.
Regularly training in Stone, Stafford and Birmingham at the Lau Gar HQ, Holly has twice trained under Master Xia and other Kung Fu masters at the Ancestral Temple in Foshan, southern China.
One of the founding members of Stone Lau Gar in 2012, Holly teaches all grades on a Monday night in Stone.
Holly is a multi-time national forms champion and represented the UK at the World Tai Chi Championships in Bulgaria in 2018.
Holly has coached a number of children to win medals at the BKFA National Championships. She has choreographed several demonstrations at the BKFA National Championships and has participated in many Kung Fu and Tai Chi demonstrations and shows across the UK, as well as on live national Chinese TV in Foshan.
Holly gives the following advice to her students:
“Always stay hungry. Perfection doesn’t exist in Kung Fu; no matter how long you’ve been training, you can always be faster, looser, more powerful, more efficient, more effective. Never be 100% satisfied, always ask yourself how you can improve. Take every opportunity to learn, put your heart and soul into your martial arts and enjoy every second of training (…even stance training). You get out what you put in!”
Date achieved black sash: October 2011