Ted Harris

 

 

Ted Harris started his martial arts career in the early 60’s studying Wado Ryu Karate. In 1967 Ted then started Tiger Ripping Kung Fu at the Binley Oak in Coventry. Master Tom Carey ran this class, but Ken Hyland was responsible for teaching all the new novices that started. Ted worked hard and achieved his Black sash grade from Tom Carey in 1971.

Later that year Ted decided to open his first class at the Railway tavern pub in Nuneaton. The training was hard and admission was the same as his Sifu’s, through introduction only. In late 1972 a new student was invited down to this class by a work colleague, his name was John Holden. Ted maintained this class until 1978 when the pub was taken over by new management and was forced to close.

 

Ted Harris and John Holden

 

At this time Ted’s highest-ranking student “John Holden” had established his own class at the Keresley Pavilion. Due to shifts at work and other commitments John asked Ted to take over his class at Keresley, which Ted reluctantly accepted. By late 1979 though Ted had decided that he had had enough and that it was time for him to retire from formal classes. So in early 1980 Ted was given a retirement party and an award from his students for his hard work and dedication to the clubs.

 

Ted maintained some involvement after this for several years visiting the different clubs that his students had set up. He also continued to teach John Holden by way of occasional private lessons until 1982.

 

Ted Harris Presenting Trophy

 

In 1982 Ted Harris became the Chief Instructor after Master Ken Hyland decided to retire. Ted was to carry on as the Chief Instructor involved with gradings, administration and various functions for a couple of years before then passing these duties over to his highest ranking student John Holden.

In 1996, Ted passed away and was buried in a local cemetery in Coventry.