MALVERN’S Eskrima club are celebrating 10 years of existence next month after being started by Marcie Harding in 2003.

The club have been training regularly at the Wyche Institute, Malvern Wells, on Wednesday evenings.

Ten students have completed their black belts over the years and three recently obtained their third degrees.

Four years ago, they opened a children’s martial arts class called Malvern Merlins which is now attended by 14 six to 11-year-olds.

They organised and hosted a fourth United Kingdom visit from the Philippines of Master Jun Dacayana, the founder of their main style.

Eskrima is a martial art from the Philippines and concentrates on weapons training before empty hand classes. It focuses on speed and accuracy, rather than strength and stamina, but is a way to get fit and improve self-defence for any age or gender.

The club have no belts or uniforms, just club T-shirts, and students do not have to go through the grade system.

During the last 10 years, Harding was jointly responsible for introducing Dacayana Eskrima so Malvern has become the UK and European headquarters.

She teaches across the UK and holds regular seminars as well as travelling to Switzerland last year to coach.

The organisation has 26 coaches across the country with Harding promoted by Master Dacayana to recognise her skill and hard work.