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Tuesday 6pm - 8pm Thursday 5pm - 7:30pm

http://www.thegrapplemill.co.uk/

The Grapple Mill, Bacup (2026)

01/09/2026

🥋 GI CLASS AT THE GRAPPLE MILL

Starting September off with some serious work from the mount! This week we’re looking at mount escapes, submissions and different ways to transition between positions.

We also love a good Q&A and brainstorm element in our classes. Sometimes the best learning comes from putting ideas together, asking questions and working things out as a team.

NEVER TRAINED BEFORE? COME AND TRY JIU JITSU. You don’t need experience, you don’t need to be fit, and you don’t need to know what you’re doing. That’s exactly what beginners’ training is for. Just turn up and we’ll show you the rest.

It’s honestly amazing to be on this journey with so many different, brilliant people. Everyone brings something different to the room, and that’s what makes the Grapple Mill what it is.

If you’ve been thinking about giving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a go, stop thinking about it and come through the door. Your journey starts here. 🥋🔥

19/08/2026

Tom Johnson

This weekend Tom got together with his brother to put together a technique video, and it’s a great reminder that there is so much more to Brazilian Jiujitsu than the colour of the belt around your waist.

Tom has over a decade of training behind him. Injuries, life and moving around have all played a part in his journey, and despite that, he’s still a blue belt today.

But anyone who has trained with Tom knows that his skills are undeniable. His knowledge, timing, movement and understanding of Jiujitsu are the product of years and years spent on the mats.

And I can relate to that.

I’ve watched plenty of people I started training with go on to achieve their black belts while I’ve remained on my own journey. But I’ve never let that stop me. I still turn up, I still train, I still learn and I still dig in.

In fact, one of the things that makes The Grapple Mill so special to me is that I’m the gym’s facilitator, yet we have black belts coaching here who are technically higher graded than I am.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I don’t need to be the highest grade in the room. I want to build a room where there are people better than me, because that means there is always someone to learn from.

That’s what Jiujitsu should be about.

There is no perfect timeline. Injuries happen. Life happens. People move. People take breaks. Some people progress quickly, others take a different route.

But if you keep showing up, keep learning and keep putting the work in, your journey is yours.

Tom, keep doing what you’re doing. The belt will come when it comes.

Until then, keep sharpening those skills and passing that knowledge on.

OSS.

And just to make things even more confusing, back in my Stealth days we had a guy nicknamed “White Belt Tom”.

Fast forward all these years and I’ve now got a completely different Tom at The Grapple Mill… and somehow this one is a Blue Belt. 😂

There’s apparently something about the name Tom and Jiujitsu that just doesn’t quite work. 😂

11/08/2026

Tonight at The Grapple Mill was one of those sessions that reminds us exactly why this place is so special.

The Gi session was run by myself tonight, with Luke Trevelyan stepping in to help with the No Gi. The atmosphere was brilliant, the mats were busy and everyone was putting in the work.

Over the last year, The Grapple Mill has been through a lot. Injuries, operations and everything that has come with trying to get back to full health have meant that I have not always been able to do what I normally do. During that time, people have stepped up in ways that go far beyond simply coaching a class.

Luke, Zach Lewis and Danny have put countless hours into the work behind the scenes, building websites, sorting things that most people will never see and doing the kind of work that keeps everything moving. Kris Leeson, Jayden, Saffron, Shibéal, Helen and so many others have given their time, energy, sweat and heart to this place.

At times when The Grapple Mill has barely been making anything and has simply been paying for itself, these people have continued to give everything because they believe in what we are building.

That is what makes The Grapple Mill different. It is not about one person. It is not about one coach. It is a collective. It is a team of like minded people who come together to get better, push each other and build friendships and bonds that go far beyond the mats.

Tonight we were also really happy to welcome our friend Rosie over from Madrid. We met Rosie several times over the years and she promised she would eventually come and train with us. Tonight she finally made it over and she will be training with us throughout the summer. It was brilliant to have her on the mats.

With Saffron’s Women’s Only course about to invite more women through the doors and lots of new faces becoming part of the gym, the dynamic at The Grapple Mill continues to grow.

There was a real buzz in the gym tonight.

This is The Grapple Mill.

More than a gym. More than a coach. A collective, a team and a community.

Thank you to everyone who continues to put their heart into this place. You know who you are.

06/08/2026

A big thank you to Luke Trevelyan for stepping in to cover this evening’s Thursday Competition Class at The Grapple Mill while Jayden is away in Germany.

We really appreciate you giving up your time to make sure the class went ahead and the team got the rounds they needed. It’s great to have coaches and training partners who are always willing to help each other out.

Safe travels to Jayden, and thanks again, Luke.

06/08/2026

At The Grapple Mill, we believe every woman should have the opportunity to learn practical, effective self defence in a safe and supportive environment.

That is why we are proud to be launching our Women Only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class, starting on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at The Grapple Mill in Rossendale.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most effective forms of self defence available. It focuses on what happens when someone grabs hold of you, teaching you how to stay calm, create opportunities to escape, and protect yourself using technique rather than strength.

Starting any martial art can feel intimidating. It is the same for men and women alike. For many women, however, walking into a room where most of the class is male can be an extra hurdle that stops them from ever taking that first step.

Our women only class removes that barrier.

Led by a female instructor, this class provides a welcoming environment where you can learn, grow and develop confidence alongside other women. Whether your goal is self defence, fitness, confidence or simply learning a new skill, you will be supported from your very first session.

No experience is needed. No pressure. Just a friendly atmosphere, expert coaching and the opportunity to learn skills that could stay with you for life.

If you have been thinking about starting, this is your opportunity.

Women Only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Starting Thursday 3rd September 2026

The Grapple Mill, Rossendale

06/08/2026

At The Grapple Mill, we believe every woman should have the opportunity to learn practical, effective self defence in a safe and supportive environment.

That is why we are proud to be launching our Women Only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class, starting on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at The Grapple Mill in Rossendale.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most effective forms of self defence available. It focuses on what happens when someone grabs hold of you, teaching you how to stay calm, create opportunities to escape, and protect yourself using technique rather than strength.

Starting any martial art can feel intimidating. It is the same for men and women alike. For many women, however, walking into a room where most of the class is male can be an extra hurdle that stops them from ever taking that first step.

Our women only class removes that barrier.

Led by a female instructor, this class provides a welcoming environment where you can learn, grow and develop confidence alongside other women. Whether your goal is self defence, fitness, confidence or simply learning a new skill, you will be supported from your very first session.

No experience is needed. No pressure. Just a friendly atmosphere, expert coaching and the opportunity to learn skills that could stay with you for life.

If you have been thinking about starting, this is your opportunity.

Women Only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Starting Thursday 3rd September 2026

The Grapple Mill, Rossendale

03/08/2026

Fresh back from his honeymoon, Kris Leeson is already back where he belongs, on the mats at The Grapple Mill. They say marriage changes a man… if anything, he’s come back even more committed! Thankfully, he’s still only choking people in training. 😂

Monday nights at The Grapple Mill are without doubt one of the best sessions of the week. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your technique, push yourself with quality rounds, or learn from one of the highest level black belts around, this is the place to be.

A great atmosphere, top level coaching, and an even better team. If you’ve been thinking about giving jiujitsu a go, or you’re looking for a new place to train, come down and see what we’re all about.

See you on the mats. 👊🥋

14/07/2026

Last night was an absolute banger with Kris Leeson on the mats at The Grapple Mill. Huge thanks to everyone who came down, trained hard and brought the energy. The room was buzzing from start to finish.

This week we’re getting straight back to business as we continue focusing on back control… pun intended. 😏 Whether you’re sharpening your escapes, improving your control or looking for those high percentage submissions, we’ve got plenty to work on.

See you all on the mats. 🥋🔥

11/07/2026

🚨 Brown Belt Alert 🚨

After nearly twenty years of refusing to quit, surviving countless chokes, sore joints, dodgy warm ups and listening to coaches shout, “Again!”, Oggy has finally been promoted to brown belt! 🤎🥋

A massive congratulations to Michael Hoggard, better known around here as Big Dez.

It’s taken so long that some of the white belts he started with have retired, had kids and probably forgotten where they left their gi.

In all seriousness, nobody deserves it more. Oggy has put in the years, the graft and the miles. He’s a great friend of The Grapple Mill, a part time coach and one of the good guys who is always happy to help others on and off the mats.

Congratulations, mate. The only downside is there’s now absolutely no excuse for getting tapped by the blue belts… we’ll be watching. 😂

Massively deserved. Enjoy it, Big Dez! 🤎👊

10/07/2026

Everyone’s talking, we’re coaching. Every roll has intention. Every drill is a small brick in something bigger. No shortcuts, no noise, just work. We don’t post to show off. We post because the work is real, and real work speaks for itself. The Grapple Mill. Built differently.

The Grapple Mill

01/09/2026

19/08/2026

11/08/2026

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

03/08/2026

14/07/2026

11/07/2026

10/07/2026

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