Shaun Rawcliffe – Midlands Wing Chun Kuen
If you’re willing to go a bit deeper into the southern suburbs, you’ll find Shaun Rawcliffe’s Midlands Wing Chun Kuen based in Hall Green and Solihull which has quite a reputation. Shaun Rawcliffe studied for many years directly under Ip Chun. Shaun was a bodyguard for Jackie Chan and has extensive experience in the security industry. He always has a good story to tell. Plenty of other teachers around the UK like to talk about Shaun behind his back, both good things and bad, which overall must be to his credit as he just does his own thing and his classes stay busy and his association is widespread.
I trained for a few years in his school in the past, before deciding to focus more on Tai Chi (for more commitment to balance & softness). His style was quite linear and forward-leaning compared to where I placed my own style. It had most of the usual characteristics of Hong Kong Wing Chun, especially Ip Chun lineage. If you want an alternative summary of Shaun Rawcliffe’s style, I’ll say refer to how Bobby Fischer described Alekhine’s style of chess: “It’s hard to find mistakes in his games, but in a sense his whole method was a mistake.” – this is coming from more of a Tai Chi perspective, although, Sau Tai Sun is also sometimes taught in Wing Chun, and this was the main change I felt inclined to make myself. I find this an appropriate quote because, as much as I felt his focus on closing the centre and driving forward was over-emphasised, when tested, he was still as good as anyone I’d stuck hands with.
Website: www.wingchun.co.uk
Location: 1st Hall Green Scout Hall, Highfield Road, Hall Green, B28 0BY
Ish Shah – The School Of Wing Chun Kuen
A little more than half an hour’s walk due south from Birmingham New Street and you’ll find The School Of Wing Chun Kuen, which stems from Michael Tse lineage.
Website: www.schoolofwingchun.com
Location: Concord Centre, Claremont Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands, B11 1LF
Abid Mahmood – Midlands Wing Chun School
If travelling to Birmingham by train, you may like to join the Midlands Wing Chun School / Academy, run by Master Abid Mahmood, as it’s quite centrally located in the Jewellery Quarter (20 mins walk due north from Birmingham New Street station). Abid is a student of James Sinclair who himself studied under Ip Chun.
Website: www.midlandswingchun.com (dropped)
Location: 64 Northampton Street, Birmingham, B18 6DX
Umar Choudhury – Midlands Wing Chun Kuen ‘Intensive’
About half an hour’s walk due south from Birmingham New Street and you’ll find Sifu Umar Choudhury’s branch of Shaun Rawcliffe’s Midlands Wing Chun Kuen. Umar began his martial arts training with 5 years of Shaolin, then was recommended by his Shaolin teacher to continue his development by training in Wing Chun with Shaun Rawcliffe. Umar is one of Shaun Rawcliffe’s most senior students, having assisted him with teaching in Hall Green and Solihull for many years. Umar has fast hands and a high level of natural ability while staying faithful to Shaun Rawcliffe’s school & system at the same time. Sifu Umar Choudhury continues to train in these locations while also now offering his own intensive classes in the Digbeth area, ideal for people based at the north end of Stratford Road or otherwise near the south side of Birmingham city centre.
Website: www.wingchun.gb.net (dropped)
Location: 60 B, Stratford Road, Birmingham, B11 1AN