Hi NPM,
Sorry for the delay in replying, didnt check the forum over the weekend.
Beginners in our class are vitally important. On Mondays, Clive (instructor) spends pretty much all his time with them, and spreads himself around a bit more on the Saturday lesson, as more of the old timers come on Saturday.
One reason I enjoyed the class so much as a beginner was the fact that everyone helps everyone else. You are encouraged to actively teach the person you are partnered with, and you have to understand the theory and concepts to do this. I can go from teaching a beginner the concepts behind SLT, to first time Dan Chi with another, and then get thrown around in hardcore chisao with a 17 year veteran, all in the space of one class.
In order to explain something to someone, you have to completely understand it yourself, so explaining and teaching to others helps to crystallize the approaches and concepts in your own mind.
Where are you based? The Thameslink line from Kings Cross to StAlbans is usually reliable, trains every 10-15 minutes. Then it is .7 of a mile from the station to the class. (Measured by an odometer!), 10-15 minutes walk maybe?
StPeters Street is about 10 minutes from the Station, so you are better off getting a bus to the station if possible. Otherwise, it would be about 20-25 minute walk from StPeters St to the class.
Hope to see you some time, if not next year when you get a car!