Obituary: Tony Barton

Sadly, Tony Barton from Bedford Judo club passed away on the 6^th July 2020.

Tony was regarded as one of the 4 wise men at Bedford Judo Club, of which he had been a member since September 1958. Tony obtained his 1^st Dan in June 1968 and went on to get his 5^th Dan in 2003. In the 1970’s Tony represented Bedfordshire and the NHC area in both County team and National team Championships. Tony was acting as the Bedford Judo Club secretary and treasurer and was one of the British Judo Association’s longest serving senior examiners. Tony was formerly a BJA referee and was a Level 3 coach and had been coaching since the 1980’s.

Tony, who conducted his last grading in March 2020, was an unsung hero at Bedford Judo Club, he was always first to arrive to lay the mats, never pushed himself forward for any recognition, but was always ready to help everybody in all aspects of Judo.

Our thoughts are with Tony’s family and friends.