The Dorchester Judo Club has been in existence since 1952. Not a prominent club as clubs go, but one that has served the community in its small way, with leadership from the founder member, Bill Chinchen.

We teach between 50 and 60 young children every Wednesday and the club is flourishing.

Founded in 1952 by Mr. Kubo, a Japanese man living in the area, along with a handful of young men, amongst them Bill Chinchen.

In the early days of Judo facilities to practice were not easy, but the group managed to find accommodation in the army gymnasium using 4 coir mats measuring 6 feet by 6 feet. The club lasted six months there as the army wanted it back, but not put off they went for a drink in their local pub and chatted to the landlord who offered them the use of the skittle alley. Mats down, mats up every time they wanted to practice for the next two years. All this time the players had been travelling to gradings and obtaining grades; in those days not many places to go and lots of travelling. The club wanted a permanent mat so looked into the roof space above. Conversion took place and in 1954 when the club moved. Mats were now old mattresses covered with canvas. Players came and went, but still remaining, Bill Chinchen.

By 1964 Bill Chinchen was a 1st Kyu and taught and ran the club more or less on his own. Judo was beginning to change and a few other players helped and the club thrived, mainly with junior players. The pub, The Phoenix, in High East Street, was sold in 1972 and the club had to move, but Bill kept the enthusiasm there and we looked for an alternative place to go. The Methodist Church took us in but now we had nothing to practice on. Bill got some mats from somewhere, which were foam, and we covered them with canvas and were back in business. A short stay there, all the time looking for a proper home, and tireless in his efforts Bill got us into the YMCA and we continued our Judo.

Only children now, as most of the senior players had given up, just Bill Chinchen and 2 or 3 others to put the mats down and began to teach again. We still had a committee and met to decide the clubs fate, only one option left. to try and find a piece of land and build our own club. A tall order, as we had no money, so we looked around and Bill wrote more letters. The YMCA came to an end and we got some space in the local sports hall. Survival!

More problems as the mats were beginning to show lots of wear after the amount of moving. The Sports Council received a letter from Bill, who, Treasurer as well as Secretary, sent a balance sheet as well. It is now 1977 and land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall became available. Now the Judo club had a permanent place to stay. Letters, meetings and the Judo club kept Bill busy. A reward came in the way of some new mats and the granting of a lease and permission to draw up plans followed. The club had to leave the sports hall but during the time we were there we had made some good friends and we did a lot of fund raising in the next two years. Enough to be able to start our building. The site, "The Old Sawmills".

Thirteen days later, on October 20, poured concrete. We were on our way, still fund raising every week and always kept an eye on by the main man, Bill Chinchen.

Making money is a very hard thing and the building stood still for a long time. Until a hotelier from Weymouth, who had an interest in sport, gave us £4,000. The building grew and we got to a point, the next thing being the roof. No more money so, ever the optimist, Bill wrote to the Round Table. They found some cash for us and we were off again. The roof went on. All that was needed now were the changing rooms and toilets. We were still fund raising and with a lot of help from interested parents we finished. The first practice night, and with new mats, was Tuesday, December 8, 1981. Players came back and the club grew strong again, mostly with young players. The name will always be The Dorchester Judo Club with the badge of a phoenix rejuvenated from its ashes very true.

In 1997 Bill became unwell and lost his right leg along with two toes from his left foot. The man that he is, with the support of his wife and friends, has allowed him to recover and he now walks. He has now taken a back seat and given over the running of the club to the Committee; but still looking over our shoulders I'm sure.

The club has always been strong, but is stronger now than it has ever been and the young players we have are keen to put their names on the Judo map. A credit to them all