KARATE KYOKUSHIN
Nicola Hughes - BKK Oldham Dojo - 16th October 1988 – 18th September 2012 On behalf of the BKK we express our deep sadness and shock at the death of Nicola Hughes in Manchester on 18th September. Nicola was the daughter of Susan and Bryn Hughes (Oldham Dojo). Nicola joined the Greater Manchester Police in 2009, serving all three years with the Tameside division. Nicola and her colleague Fiona Bone were killed during a routine operation in Tameside. The two unarmed police officers were killed in a gun and grenade attack. There are not the words to express our horror and our feelings: and our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to all Nicola’s and Fiona’s family and friends. I have used the following quote before but it feels so apt at the loss of Nicola: There are times of suffering which remain in our lives like black absolutes, and are not blotted out. Fortunate are those for whom these black stars shed some sort of light. May the unexpected radiance of black stars heal and transform even the deepest hurt, the deepest darkness we have known, into a new light, a new radiance. The following is a tribute to Nicola by her father Bryn Hughes Nicola was born 16th October 1988 at the Royal Oldham Hospital, she grew up in Oldham and attended Saddleworth High School and Oldham 6th Form College where she studied Law and Psychology. After one term at Huddersfield University she decided a career in the Police Service is what she wanted joining the Greater Manchester Policeforce in 2009. She was posted to a neighborhood Policing Team before joining the response team in Hyde (Tameside Division) in 2010. She was extremely proud when she recently passed her response driving course which officially allowed her to speed! Her Karate career began in 2001 after much encouragement from me and her brother Sam and quickly progressed to 3rd Kyu under the instruction of Sensei Al Jelly and myself. She attended her one and only Summer Camp in 2005 and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and final days fighting; she came away with bruises she was immensely proud of. Nicola was a very proud and meticulous person who prided herself on her commitment to completing everything she did to the best of her ability and that little bit more, tributes from her Inspector and Sergeant say they have never known a Police Officer who gave so much dedication and devotion in a long, long time. I have spoken to her Sergeant who recalls the times they spent on Friday nights around the local pubs, ‘she had the heart of a Lion’ and was never afraid of anyone no matter of their size or stature.
PC Nicola Hughes
Nicola was more than just a Police Officer, she was a Daughter, Sister, Grand-Daughter, Step-Daughter, Partner, Niece, Cousin, Friend and Colleague. She was so full of energy it was amazing, she loved life and cared about people, she was never afraid to speak her mind and will leave a huge hole in the lives of the people she touched. The community where she worked are shocked by the tragic events, her friends are devastated and her colleagues are numb with shock. On the 18th September 2012 I lost my daughter and Sam lost his sister but the world lost a young vibrant shining example to us all, live life to the full and never settle for second best.
Nicola Hughes and members of Oldham Dojo at Summer Camp 2005
Nicola Hughes with Hanshi and members of Oldham Dojo at Crystal Palace
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