A MARTIAL arts club that has inspired hundreds of youngsters is set to close after more than 30 years.

Malcolm Bonar, a 5th Dan, runs the Makoto Kai Karate club and admits that if people don’t start coming back it will be lost for good.

He says over the last few weeks no-one has turned up to St Martin’s Church in Mansion Avenue where the classes run.

Malcolm, 62, said: “This is a last-ditch effort to save it. I’m urging people to come along to support the club or lose it all together.

“I feel very sad about it. We had between 15 and 20 members at one time.

“The numbers kept bouncing up and down, but at least it kept the club going.

“We also had a separate adult class but then people change jobs and work shifts. They missed one or two days, and then never came back.”

Malcolm blames the decline on kids not sticking at one thing and switching between other sports and activities.

He said: “My view is that there is a set number of kids going to clubs, say it’s karate, then they all leave to do swimming, dancing, or football.

“It’s not only martial arts that are losing out, it’s happening all along the line. Football is the exception, it’s still at the top of the tree and gets a good turnout.

“Sadly martial arts doesn’t seem to appeal anymore.”

He said the club started in the Woodhall area to give kids something to do but since then the old tenements and houses have been demolished.

Malcolm said: “That could have affected the membership. It’s just a pity that the club has died a death.”

He says that several young students over the years rose through the ranks to become black belts.

He said: “I’ve taught hundreds of people over the years. Some kids who came along achieved black belts.

“They did something that they wouldn’t have achieved elsewhere. 

“They knew they weren’t go to be an academic but they succeeded in martial arts.”

The club meets on Mondays and Fridays at St 
Martin’s Church between 6 and 7.30pm.

For more information call Malcolm on 07748 663606.