This branch arrived in Bury St.Edmunds when William Wappett (1927) of Thornaby, Teesside moved there and married Pamela Beeton.

William's father was Thomas (1888) of Appleby. The line continues back as Thomas (1859) of St. Lawrence Appleby, Christopher (1819) of St.Mary's Appleby, Richard (1780) of Kirkby Stephen and Robert (c.1750) of Brough(?).

Pregnancy & Martial Arts.

Michelle's story.

I took up Tae-Kwon-Do and Kickboxing in 1990 at my husband, 4th Dan Black Belt Billy Wappett's club "Fighting Fit" and in April 1995, after five years of extremely hard work, I took my 1st Dan Black Belt. My fitness and strength levels were at that time at their very peak. The grading itself lasted eight non-stop hours and was pre-fixed by a 15 mile run. Little did I know that exactly one year later I would be in labour with my first child!

Michelle training at 8 months pregnant

Michelle and Billy Wappett's wedding February 1996

I managed to continue my martial arts and fitness training throughout my pregnancy - obviously omitting some unsuitable activities such as hard contact sparring and throws, etc. and adapting others. I even managed to continue wearing my white suit throughout although my black belt did appear to get "shorter" as the pregnancy went on!
I was still teaching and training just four days before our daughter, Ellen Elizabeth Wappett, was born on 8th April 1996 weighing a healthy 7lb 5½ozs. At the hospital there were several comments about strong pelvic floor muscles and the mid-wives remarked that they had never seen a heavily pregnant woman fall to and rise from a full squat quite so many times with so much ease!

My labour was relatively easy - I would go so far as to say I enjoyed the whole day! Within twenty-four hours I was busying about in the hospital and I went home in my jeans!I resumed my martial arts and fitness training less than two weeks later and was pleased to regain my pre-pregnancy weight, slight at less than 8 stone, within a matter of weeks. I also managed to breast-feed Ellen for her first six months of life though must admit that too much jumping about was sometimes painful - a good quality supportive sports bra is an absolute must!

Ellen, Ruby and Michelle Wappett.

Hailey, William and Louise Wappett 1996

Less than a year after having Ellen I completed another 15 mile run as part of the syllabus for my 2nd Dan Black Belt. I endured yet another gruelling eight hour grading and was honoured to receive my next grade.

The above scenario was repeated within the year that followed. James William Edward Wappett arrived on 14th March 1998, a fair sized lad at 8lb 1oz. The labour lasted just four hours from start to finish - this time I was training at the club just twenty-four hours earlier!

Again I was back at the club within a couple of weeks, my troop in tow, and was soon back into shape. I say back into shape - with both pregnancies I had very small, neat bumps and never suffered with the swollen ankles or back problems, varicose veins, high blood pressure or stretch marks that are often associated with being pregnant. Heartburn was my only downfall but huge quantities of Gaviscon kept this at bay!

Stephen, Carol, Billy, Michelle, Tommy and William Wappett

William and Pamela Wappett

In March of this year I completed a ten mile run, an annual event held by my club. In early May I discovered I was pregnant for the third time - I was actually pregnant at the time I did the run! This baby is due on Christmas Eve and so far I have kept up my training. Donning my husband's elastic-waisted kickboxing trousers in place of my usual whites, and armed with my huge bottle of Gaviscon, I attend classes twice a week to help teach junior students and to train myself. I have even continued to perform hard contact fighting forms at various self-defence demonstrations at fetes and shows in my pregnant state. I am not sure whether the spectators actually realised I was pregnant or just thought I was a little on the portly side!

I firmly believe that my martial arts training, where a lot of emphasis has always been placed on fitness, has helped me no end through three healthy pregnancies. Whilst I would never recommend any woman take up martial arts whilst pregnant, the benefits to be reaped for those who are accustomed to rigorous training sessions are enormous, providing of course a little common sense is used..Stretching exercises have helped me maintain significant flexibility (although somewhat limited around the waist!) and the breathing exercises definitely come in very handy!

Mrs Michelle Wappett

Anyone interested in Tae-Kwon-Do and/or Kickboxing can contact the NRMAI for further details.

James William Edward Wappett

William John Wappett