On June 17^th The High Sheriff Of Greater Manchester, Mark Llewellin dl, visited Sitsiam Camp in Stalybridge. They have been in existence since 1983 and in 2002 the Sitsiam Camp became the representative for Buddhai Swan Institute of Thailand. Two Schools in one authentically and traditionally Thai. At the school they give students the opportunity of training in the Thai Martial Arts just as they would in Thailand but without ever stepping onto an aeroplane!

We asked the High Sheriff why he was visiting and he said: “So I saw them doing a demonstration at the Sci Fi Day in Ashton, which was a fantastic day, and I was just really intrigued by what they were up to. We were talking about some of the symbolism of my role as high sheriff and there seemed to be a crossover. So being high sheriff is it’s given me fantastic opportunity to go out and ask, to visit places that you wouldn’t get to visit if you weren’t in this position and to see how many things are going on that you wouldn’t know about, that is for the good of the community. So I wanted to come and visit them being on my doorstep as a Tameside resident, but also because it seems to me intriguing as to what they were up to. I’ve been able to come out and learn more about the camp, which is absolutely fantastic that these kids are coming all ages and learning about something new, learning about the whole culture and history and heritage behind it as well .I mean, everyone’s so disciplined, so respectful and learning skills flow for life, I think, and making friends.” 

Kru Steven Moore and students were delighted to  welcome the High Sheriff and  he said: “Well, firstly, it was an honour to have a high sheriff in attendance. At the Ashton event he said he’d like to attend the school, to see on a day to day basis what we do with the children in the community  Obviously then we’ve organised his visit, he’s attended tonight and it’s been a great pleasure and an honour to have him here present in the school. We had  students from just turned five years,, literally just turned five, all the way up to 15 years. They all trained in the same class because they all learn from each other.”

If you want to discover more about Sistsiam Camp you can find them on Facebook or visit their website at sitsiam-camp.com