Author: Hazel Herbert

At last!  After what seems like for ever, we can get back to London Region fencing action.  And we get things rolling with a 2021 fourth quarter offering three, rather than our previous two, events – two All Weapon Opens and one Saturday focussed on London Schools.

We reboot on Sunday 24^th October with a ‘this year only’ change from our established programme.  Rather than a Team Competition we’re holding a ‘London Region Welcome Back Open Novice & Intermediate’ at St Benedicts School in Ealing.  Being able to enter won’t depend on finding three other like-minded fencers, so no hassle there.  And no need to worry about letting other fencers down if you’re not as fit as you’d like to be.   So, regardless of how ring-rusty you feel, if you want to get back to sociable competition it’ll be an ideal opportunity for a good friendly fence. 

On Saturday 20^th November, partnering with Westminster Under School, we’re launching a new annual ‘London Inter-School Under 11 Fencing Festival’.  As well as fencing itself, it’ll incorporate simple add-ons including sessions to help the fencers of tomorrow appreciate some basic refereeing and armoury issues in a user-friendly way.  It was due to get off the ground in 2020 but coronavirus put an end to that.  And current circumstances may temper things a bit.  But we’ll be looking to build on it over the coming years.

Then it’s the 2021 CAPITAL OPEN, to be held at its new regular home, the Westminster School Sports Centre near Victoria Station, on its new regular date, the first Saturday of December.  A great way to cap off a fencing year in the run up to Christmas.

We hope to see as many old friends and new as we can at these fun events, but to maximise everyone’s safety we might have to limit numbers.  So best not delay in making your entries.  Why not check out the details of the N&I now on our competitions page. 

Team 2019 -Through everyone achieve MEDALS

Maybe it was imagination.  Maybe it was the extra hour in bed from the clocks changing.  But the competitors seemed somehow more awake than normal at Sunday morning check-in for our All Weapon Team Competition, Sunday 27 October at St Benedict’s, Ealing.  And most were early, even those from Canterbury, Leicester, Oxford and Nottingham.

Twenty-five teams entered.  Would’ve been twenty-six if we’d been able to match individuals keen to fence but lacking team mates.  It’s something we’ll explore next time.  One team scratched with illness.  Northampton scratched with a Saturday pm puncture they couldn’t get fixed.  So, twenty-three intrepid teams made it to the piste for a day’s fun fencing. 

They fought through the day in a varied programme of short format matches to fifteen points and full-format fights to forty-five.  Some fought ‘till their legs turned to jelly.  Some fought beyond that.  They certainly earnt their medals.  But no matter the tiredness, they were still smiling when they left.  Or was it cramp?  No!  They were still smiling.  Take a look at the photo gallery below and you’ll see for yourself.  And if you want to check the results, go here 

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Cutlers’ Hall, home to The Worshipful Company of Cutlers who were awarded their Charter by Henry V in 1416, has been home to London Region Fencing’s quarterly ‘board’ meetings for the last 3 years too.  It’s given us a great sense of stability, endorsement, and focus for what we try to do.  And when the Cutlers invited us to be a part of their ‘London Open House’ event on 21 September we jumped at the chance.  It offered us the rare opportunity to promote fencing to people who’ve never experienced, maybe never even thought about, fencing before.  

We built our story round fencing “In Our History & Culture”, “In Our Fantasy & Fiction”, and “In Our Community”.  Three screens of PowerPoint and video presentations were backed up with ‘touch and try’ kit and weapons, and ‘poster’ displays of some of London’s many successful fencers on the British, European, and World stage.  This led on to the opportunity for visitors to experience a mini have-a-go session or watch a splendid fencing display by coach Andrew Nisbet and one of London’s up and coming young fencers, Harry Roberts.  And to round everything off, a London Region ‘flyer’ explaining what we do, why fencing’s a brilliant sport and who it’s for, and giving access details and QR codes for ‘Find a Club’ facilities on the LRF and BF websites.

We were in great company throughout and across the day the footfall was fantastic, with over 1200 members of the public getting exposure to our sport.  Interest and engagement were high.  Even Cutlers’ Assistant Clerk had a go.  And feedback was positive.  So let’s hope over time it converts to some new faces at London club’s beginner sessions.  In the meantime, you might like to have a look below at some of the ‘snaps’ we shot in our spare moments (which weren’t very many!).  Or go to the Worshipful Company of Cutlers’ website to get their take on the whole day.

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This year’s All Weapon  Team Competition will be held on 27th October at St Benedicts School Ealing.  Open to fencers across the UK, British or foreign, who are compete members of BF and over 15 on 1st October 2019.  Teams of 3 or 4, Epee, Foil, Sabre, Mens,  Womens and Mixed Teams. Full details are here.  Entries via Sport80 are now open

Why not make up a team with club-mates, family or friends?   We can’t guarantee you’ll win, but we can guarantee some fencing fun.

We hope you all had everything you hoped for over the Christmas and wish everyone a Happy and Successful 2019.

December was a pretty busy month on the Fencing front too, so here’s a brief update of some news items.

The CAPITAL OPEN 2018

Our second ever CAPITAL OPEN went ahead as planned on 1^st December at the Jean Brown Arena in Redbridge.  Over 100 fencers entered this year, the most far-flung entries being one from Germany and one from Switzerland.  There was a great atmosphere throughout the day and we’re already looking forward to the first Saturday in December this year.  We published the results soon after the event, but for photos of winners, medallists, and some of the action see below.

New Club Opens in London

Always good to hear of new clubs opening: this one’s in South London.  It’s a sabre club based in Brixton and called, appropriately enough, Brixton Sabre.  For anyone from beginners to internationals, it takes members or accepts people for one-off sessions, meets on Tuesday evenings, and is very close to Brixton tube and rail stations.  Details can be found at www.brixtonsabre.com .

London Region Team Wins Cadet Winton 2018

Congratulations to the 24 young fencers who represented the London Region at the 2018 Cadet Winton Competition.  Held at Millfield School on 15/16 December, the event featured teams of boy and girl foilists, épéeists, and sabreurs, from each of the ten English regions.  Everyone involved had a fantastic weekend, and the fencers performed tremendously well throughout, delivering a splendid victory for London as overall winners.  Below is a photo of the winning Team and their trophy.  And plenty more photos can be found on the Cadet Winton London facebook page

THE CAPITAL OPEN 2018 in pictures