Mayor celebrates success at The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School Presentation Evening

On Tuesday 10th June 2025, the Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Councillor Duncan Pascoe, visited The Dojo of The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School to attend their 2025 Summer Presentation evening, held to celebrate 36 years in Mid Sussex plus some recent achievements.

MSMAS Presentation

During his visit, the Mayor commended the School’s accomplishments, notably their participation at the recent 7th World Butoku Sai hed in Kyoto, Japan. This prestigious Martial Arts event, held usually only once every four years, is attended by groups from across the globe and attended by Sōsai Higashifushimi Jiko (Cousin to Emiritus Emperor Akihito of Japan) and the Princess Akiko of Mikasa, a Member of the Imperial House of Japan.

The Mayor congratulated the MSMAS team for not only representing the UK but also for returning home with the coveted ‘Outstanding Team’ award, visible recognition in Japan of their talent, discipline and commitment.

“I was delighted to be invited to the Mid Sussex Martial Arts School Dojo just outside Scaynes Hill, to celebrate the fantastic achievements of their students,” said Cllr Pascoe. “It was great to hear the team accomplished some fantastic results, particularly to bring home the ‘Outstanding Team’ award - demonstrating a testament to their skill and dedication. I was humbled by the kind gifts brought back from Japan for the Town Council, and I will be sure to present these at our next full-council meeting, so the rest of the town are aware of how well Haywards Heath is being represented on the world stage.”

The Mayor also highlighted the strong sense of community at the Dojo, crediting the School’s culture of respect and perseverance to the leadership by their Dojo Cho, Roger Payne and his team. “They have a really close community in their Dojo,” he added. “It takes a great show of patience and respect to build what they have created, and I feel it reflects great leadership.”

The visit included a dynamic demonstration of their various traditional disciplines, Judo, Aikido, Karate, Iaido & KoBudo by students of all ages and ranks, plus a ceremony celebrating newly achieved grades - particularly among the School’s younger members, whose dedication and progress were proudly acknowledged. Cllr Pascoe said: “It was a great to celebrate the new rank achievements of the young pupils, many of whom I hope will continue to train hard and bring more success to MSMAS!” 

With its ever-growing reputation and strong community values, The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School continues to make Haywards Heath proud—both at home and abroad.