Tributes have poured in for Terry Welham – Cambridge’s ‘Mr Judo’ – who passed away peacefully last week.

For more than half a century the former police officer dedicated himself to coaching youngsters in schools, inspiring many hundreds of them with his love of the sport.

As well as being a skilled judo player, Terry was also a senior official in the British Schools Judo Association and a BJA coach. One of his biggest claim to fame was encouraging Neil Adams, who went on to become world, European champion and Olympic silver medallist to use his skills to help others.

Neil Adams said: “I knew Terry for over 25 years and I am so sad that we have all lost such a wonderful man. I became a friend of Terry and his incredible family throughout the years and I am privileged to have been his friend and of his lovely family.

“He had such an impact on many peoples lives throughout his years in the Police Force and I always enjoyed his wonderful stories.

“Terry was a member of the Police Judo squad for many years and later concentrated on his coaching in the Cambridge area which is where he invited me on a regular basis to coach at his schools.

“In fact Terry was one of the first to recognise my potential as a coach after I returned from competing in the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

“He loved his Judo and it played a big part of his life.

“His first love though was his family. His family was his life.

“Terry was so special to so many people and the world has lost a wonderful man.”

Terry also trained Geoff Capes, famed for twice holding the World’s Strongest Man title.

Mr Welham was a talented sportsman as a boy, representing Cambridge schoolboys and the county at football, cricket and boxing.

He discovered judo when he was stationed in Liverpool with the RAF in the 1950s, and his interest continued when he joined the police in Cambridgeshire, becoming a detective.

He began judo training in a nissen hut at Cherry Hinton, practising on mattresses donated by Fulbourn Hospital, and started coaching in schools in 1961, firstly at The Leys. He later went on to teach at the Perse and St Faith’s.

Mr Welham had diabetes and died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital after suffering heart failure. He was 82, and leaves a daughter, three sons, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

His daughter Jane Childerley said: “He was a very charismatic, kind and compassionate man. It’s comforting to know he meant so much to so many people.”

Vernon Avril, who worked with him for 15 years as assistant sensei, added:

“He will be greatly missed. He was like a brother to me. Terry was a “gentleman judoka” always polite and practicing etiquette and manners at all times. He held the original principals of the Kodokan at heart.

“The judo community has lost a valued member and I am heartbroken to lose my friend and mentor.”

The funeral will be held at St Edmund’s Church, Hauxton on Thursday January 23 at 2pm. Family flowers only are requested, but donations can be made to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

A version of this story first appeared here http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Cambridges-Mr-Judo-Terry-Welham-who-trained-Geoff-Capes-and-Neil-Adams-dies-aged-82-20140215060000.htm#ixzz2qUvxv2xj. Photo credit to Cambridge News. Additional reporting by Donna Richardson.