19th January 2012 - TKGB Official Statement regarding Harry Cook
In light of recent news in the Hexham Courant:Since Harry Cook stepped down as Chair in 2008 he has had no further involvement in the running of the TKGB.
We at the TKGB have since appointed a Safeguarding Officer and each of our member clubs have been asked to appoint a Welfare officer and implement new and updated child protection policies to ensure the safety and well-being of all our members.
We at the TKGB totally condemn his actions - acts which we find abhorrent, and feel he has let down the whole martial arts world.
We would like to extend our sympathy to his victims and also to his family.
Detailed statement (20th January 2012):
TKGB have learned that Harry Cook, plead guilty to 29 charges, including indecent assault, sexual assault and taking indecent images of children, when he appeared before Newcastle Crown Court on Monday 16th January 2012. At a previous court hearing, he admitted a further 14 offences. When he was arrested, police found more than 55,000 indecent images of children. Cook (62) was remanded in custody. He will be sentenced in March following psychiatric assessment.Prior to his arrest for the charges above Harry Cook was a renowned expert in Karate and ran karate classes in Hexham three days a week. Harry had also established himself as an expert in this field and wrote several books on the subject.
TKGB are deeply shocked by the offences Harry Cook has committed, he has clearly used his position and authority in an unacceptable manner and breached the trust of so many of his pupils and the karate world. TKGB wish to acknowledge the victims and their families and express their sorrow in the manner in which they were treated, exploited and victimised by Harry Cook.
TKGB are thankful in this instance that the law prevailed and that Harry Cook was brought to justice for the crimes he committed against the children and their parents and families who looked up to him, trusted him and respected him.
Since learning about Harry Cook's arrest and subsequent charges TKGB have reviewed their polices and procedures around child protection and improved many aspects of the clubs to extend safeguards so children who wish to learn this wonderful sport can do so without fear or prejudice. To this end we have pledged to keep under review such polices and systems to ensure their effectiveness as much as possible. We take seriously our role in supporting children and we have adopted a zero tolerance approach in all our clubs for incidents that impact negatively on the lives of children and other venerable groups who wish to participate in this sport.
27th November 2011 - TKGB Dan Gradings
 | Congratulations to Ken Fanner of SCK01, who was awarded his 5th Dan by the TKGB Executive Committee for services to karate in accordance with the TKGB Dan Awarding Policy. |
5th August 2011 - TKGB Dan Grade Ratification
 | Congratulations to Andy Wilkinson of JMA01, who had his 4th Dan grading ratified by the TKGB Executive Committee according to the TKGB Dan Ratification Policy. |
20th July 2011 - TKGB Dan Gradings
 | Congratulations to Lindsay Smith of RSK01, who was awarded his 7th Dan by the TKGB Executive Committee for services to karate in accordance with the TKGB Dan Awarding Policy. |
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Also congratulations to Ross Smith also of RSK01, who was awarded his 6th Dan by the TKGB Executive Commitee for services to karate again in accordance with TKGB Dan Awarding Policy. |
Any member of the TKGB wishing to be considered for getting their grade ratified or being awarded their next Dan grade should view the policies on this website and then if meeting the criteria should contact Andy (membership registrar) to discuss.