Our Grandmaster
This is a short profile of our current GrandMaster & popular leader, "Master Phil Mead". His official title is Si-Gung (master instructor).
Phil Mead 7th Degree/Duan/Dan Si-Gung
Grandmaster Phil Mead's background is unique. He began his martial arts career in 1959 studying Judo and Jujutsu with L. Judd.
Since that time, he has studied and practiced a plethora of different systems specialising latterly in Internal Chinese systems, and he hold a total of no less than 43 Dan grades or equivalent in 14 separate systems.
His background extends from holding a Grandmasters grade in Internal Chiang Shou to encompassing Kempo, Shotokan, Wado Ryu and Taekwondo in addition to many other Chinese styles and other worldwide martial arts such as Bimba style Capoeira.
He holds a 6th degree black sash in the style of Chiang Shou Fa Kung Fu, he also holds a 7th Dan within the United Kingdom All Styles Karate Association.
Master Phil started his martial arts training in 1959, when he was twelve years old this first study was in Judo and Wrestling. Mr L Judd ran the club.
In 1961 His first introduction to Karate was with instructor. John McCormack, who had served in U.S. Forces in Okinawa where he learned the Style Shorin Ryu Karate.
From 1962 to 1964 Phil also studied under Mike Jarrad in the multi-disciplined system of Ketsugo and Gung-Fu under Mr Bob Johnson.
1965 to 68 Master Phil expanded his field of study to include Shotokan Karate under Trevor Jones in Toton Nottingham and Jeff Kaliasak at Clifton Nottingham.
He then joined the Nottingham Karate club. The club was unusual at the time in that it had Japanese instructors. These were the now famous Hirokazu Kanazawa and S Asano.
This provided an opportunity to train under other Japanese instructors, these included Sensei' Enoeda, Takahashi, Shirai, Kase, and Nakayama.
He also trained in Wado Ryu Karate, with Phil Milner.
1969 saw Master Phil growing as an instructor in his own right starting up his own clubs with Harvey Barker.
From here he joined the BKA. Instructing at various BKA clubs with Jack Warner, and at the same time he started to study the art of Seishin Kai Kempo with Don Peterson. He also studied the art of Taekwondo under Rhee.
This is a very significant moment in the history of the Comara group of clubs as it was at this time that he was first introduced to Chiang Shou Fa Kung Fu by, Master C W Che.
In 1969 Grand Master David Che Elected Master Phil Mead to be the Grand Master of the English section of the style.
Grand Master Phil is the only Person to offer training in this style in England that is open to students by request.
Grand Master Phil Has 5 senior Students one of which is Master James Watson.
Master James Watson also offers training to students by request in Scotland only under the banner of - 'WATSONS MARTIAL ARTS EXCELLENCE'.
From 1970 to 73 Grandmaster Phil Meads main area of study was Chi'ang shou fa Kung Fu and other styles of Kung Fu.
He was introduced to Capoiera by Contra Mestre Rico Costain, United States prison fighting by D Wong and the Boar style of Bando by B Lin.
1974 to 1976 was an intense period even by Phil’s standards as he combined the study of Yang style Tai Chi, Tibetan Sung Thru Kyom, Ganga-Daa. Learned the Kalari method of Benares Fist, and Shui Tong Long under B Choi.
In 1977 he again expanded his studies into the various methods of Silat and continuing with B. Lee learned more forms from the style of Tibetan Amaree.
1978 to 86 was another important year in the history of the Comara-s group of clubs as it was this time that he began to formulate the mixture of techniques taken from these many fields of study that now form the core of techniques that are taught in the Comara- s clubs.
He then went on to assist Roy Stanhope now 7th Dan to form the joint organizations of the United Kingdom All Styles Karate Organization (UKASKO) and the United Kingdom All Styles Kung Fu Association (UKASKA).
These associations are now combined as the United Kingdom Martial Arts Federation (UKMAF).
From 1986 to now Phil still acts as referee and judge at many major British tournaments organises his own tournaments including an international.
In 1986 he gained a level three coaching qualification within the UKMAF.
Phil Mead has truly inspired many other Masters with his infinite knowledge of the arts and is probably Britains most sought after instructor. Phil has produced many Black sash student who have moved on and opened their own schools and classes throughout England.
Sifu James Watson is the only Scottish Master Instructor and sole representative of GrandMaster Phil E Mead in the whole of Scotland.
Phil's daughter 'Lien' (SI-Bok) is also one of Phil's students and has achieved her 3rd Degree Black sash.
Under the care of GrandMaster Phil Mead & indeed Master James Watson, the style has grown and flourished into the icon it is today, and at this time has produced many Duan graded students who have gone on to make names for themselves in all manner of competitive combat sports, and a few have gone on to open clubs on their own under their own styles.
At this time their are Seven Duan graded Students acting as supporting or assistant instructors within the clubs in the Nottingham area, Master Phil insistes that he personally instructs every student in each club.
These are, Master James Watson, Sifu Michael Jenkins. Sibok Lien Mead, Sibok Kelvin Lim, Sifu Michael Douglas (Semi retired), Sifu Tiffany Mason, Sifu Andrew Smedley.
Master James Watson is the exception as he is the Master & sole representative of all the 'Chi'ang Shou Fa' schools and clubs in the whole of Scotland.
There have been other sifu's within Chi'ang shou fa Kung fu & Mma, under both Grandmaster Phil Mead & Master James Watson to which have been sacked through behaviour un-becoming an Instructor or Black sash holder.
There are also schools or clubs operating in England and Scotland who are not affiliated or associated with either Grandmaster Mead or Master Watson, yet they continue to use our name and some of our syllabus. Anyone not listed here is not to be trusted and do not form any part of the precious reputation we have built upon over the years.
If you feel the need to ask any questions about anyone protraying to be an instructor please feel free to contact us with their details.
