SPENDING time together is a key part of the Winspears' weekly routine.
John, 40, Diane, 41 and Vicky, 15 have been attending sessions at the Phoenix Taekwondo Club at St. Patrick's Church hall, in Owton Manor Lane, for more than four years.

The Winspears, from the Rift House area, took up the sport after watching 10-year-old Jack take part in a session aged six. 
Diane, who runs The Combat Stall in Middleton Grange's indoor market, said: "We were watching him and thought we might as well join in, we haven't really looked back since. 

"We were really keen to do it and it keeps us fit and is a great form of protection."

John, a welder at a chemical plant in Seal Sands, said: "We had been going to watch him for eight months and the instructor asked if we wanted to join in.

"It is really important for a family to get together as much as possible and this helps us do that.

"A lot of families can't find the time to do things together but we manage it through doing something we love. We enjoy it at the end of the day."

The taekwondo club is on every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and mum and dad have already gained their black belts.

Not only do the family train at the club they also help train the youngsters.

Diane said: "We love doing it and I like to see the kids reaching their black belts. It is a big achievement for them and to see their little faces lighting up is very rewarding."

Jack was the first member of the Winspear family to take up taekwondo but has since taken up boxing at the Catholic Club, in Burbank Street. Jack is following in the footsteps of his 35-year-old uncle, Tommy Winspear. Tommy boxed for the same club and was county schoolboy's champion.    

Jack's commitment to boxing doesn't stop him from joining the rest of the family at St. Patrick's every Sunday for another chance to hone their skills.

Daughter Vicky suffers from dyspraxia and has a lack of mobility due to tight tendons in her hands and feet. That doesn't stop her training every week and in the past 18 months she has even recorded the best attendance record.

John said: "It's not what you do but how you do it and she has begun to get a few belts now. There is no shouting or bawling at the club because it is a real family atmosphere and everyone goes there to enjoy themselves."

Taekwondo isn't all fun and games though, as Diane will testify, having recently fractured her knee in an accident which will see her out of action until Christmas.

The family enjoy martial arts so much they even opened the Combat Stall in Middleton Grange's indoor market.

Diane said: "The whole family finds taking part in taekwondo and boxing a huge release from the stresses and strains of the working week. 

"We drop Jack off at the boxing and then we head to St. Patrick's Hall. We then meet up at home to talk about our evenings and encourage each other on."

You'd have thought they would be sick of the sight of sports gear by the end of the week but come Saturday John and the kids like nothing better than helping mum run the martial arts stall.

The Combat Stall, which opened in September, sells boxing, karate, jujitsu, cage fighting, wrestling and taekwondo equipment.

Word has even spread to a boxing champion in Ghana. Anyetei Laryea's, who won the Commonwealth title against Argie Ward at Peterlee Leisure Centre in October, dropped by after losing his luggage.

Diane said: "He came to my stall to buy a gum shield and a pair of shorts for the fight.

"John and the kids come down to the stall on a Saturday and help out, it's all hands on deck as it's our busiest day.  The kids love it because it gives them the chance to see other fighters from the various clubs around Hartlepool."

The new stall packs a real punch and the Winspear family will be hoping they continue to do so in their respective sports.