The Barnet Ju jitsu Club was originally called The Barnet Budo Club. It opened its doors in 1978 as a subsidiary of the Hatfield Budo Club under the directorship of the late Sensei Peter Monkman 6th dan. One of Sensei Monkman’s instructors was Kenshiro Abbe, the founder of Kyushindo whom he met at the Budokwai in London. Under Peter, the training revolved around the principals and techniques of Judo, Aikido and Karate, to this he added his own knowledge of military close quarter combat. The Hatfield club opened 1958

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In 1980 Richard Morris invited Peter to join the World Jiu Jitsu Federation where various techniques of Aiki Jujutsu and Juko Ryu Jujutsu systems were added to Peters own style of Kyushin Jujutsu.

The club names were changed to the Barnet and Hatfield Jujutsu Clubs. Peter continued to run the Hatfield club while his son Dean ran the Barnet club.

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Many courses and grading have been conducted at the two clubs over the years. Peters Hatfield club moved to a Batterdale church hall where he continued to teach until he fell ill. Peter died in 2005.

 

In 2008 The Barnet club with its chief instructor Rob Brettell joined Jiu Jitsu International and celebrated its 30th anniversary. Rob Brettell’s modern view and refined techniques won the dedication of a new wave of jujitsu students. Rob Brettell passed away in 2015, leaving the club to its now chief instructor Bob Robotham, who joined the club in 1989.

 

Today Bob Robotham continues to teach an evolutionary style of Jujitsu which involves striking as well as takedown and various self defense techniques.

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November 2025:

Our club is moving home. Barnet Ju Jitsu has been training on York Road, New Barnet, for over 47 years. It marks the end of an era, as we say farewell to the dojo where generations of students have trained, learned, and grown together. We give thanks to the hall that has been our home, a place that has shaped not only our technique, but our spirit and community.

 

Since our founding, we have been hosted by the Scout Group who own the hall. As the hall now reaches a poor state of repair, the Scouts are moving to a newly built home on Grove Road, and we are grateful to have been invited to move with them.

 

In the true spirit of Kaizen (改善) — continuous improvement — this move reflects our ongoing journey of growth and renewal. Just as we strive in training to refine our technique and understanding, so too does the club evolve, carrying forward the lessons, values, and spirit that have defined Barnet Ju Jitsu for nearly half a century.

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