After over a year break due to the Covid restrictions we got back up and running at our Peterborough venue on Monday evenings and at Oundle School Sports Centre on Thursdays in the Summer.
Due to social distancing guidelines we are holding off restarting our sessions at Stamford School as the space is more limited and we will review the viability of that session over time.
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If you are new to the sport and interesting in learning once guidelines allow, please email chrishowser@hotmail.co.uk and we will send details once sessions are organised.
Club Background
In September 2011 the club was launched at Oundle School with sessions only taking place on Thursday evenings, however following some great successes in 2012 a second night on Monday evenings at The Peterborough School was added in September 2012.
In September 2017 a Stamford session is being started which will run at Stamford school. The club is continuing to flourish and details of our current sessions are detailed on the Individual session Tabs –
General Information
Who – The Club is generally aimed at those of 7/8 years of age (year 4 at schools, but some younger children do attend) and older (fencers attend into their 70s so no limit on upper age) with a full fencing session using Epees.
There can be some flexibility on ages, however please call/get in touch to discuss for younger children as this younger age-group sometimes struggles with the weight of Epees.
Sessions – Stamford, Oundle & Peterborough
Sessions will consist of approximately 45 minute footwork & technique session run by a coach followed by free fencing on the scoring boxes.
Beginner Courses/Taster Days – We will be reviewing the restart of beginner sessions/courses once Covid rules make more practical to run.
Lead Coach – The lead coach will be Chris Howser, he is a level 4 Registered British Fencing coach with 20 years of coaching experience which has included coaching British Squad members at European Junior Championships and the England Ladies team to a Commonwealth Silver medal. He has also been coaching a large number of fencers in Surrey (where he recently moved up from) and that group have won numerous British and England titles between them. Chris was a high class international fencer in his own right, having fenced for Great Britain at 5 World Championships and having been Senior Men’s British Champion in 2005. He still competes and is currently both Northamptonshire County and East Midlands Regional Epee Champion as well as still being ranked as a top 20 GB fencer (Jan 2011). Other coaches will be found when the club grows to a point that more staff are required.
Costs of sessions –
We will have differing payment options with discounts for those who wish to pay by monthly standing order in advance. We will have a £13 per session guest fee for those attending on a one-off, occasional basis.
All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance.
What you would need to attend in –
We will be able to supply the fencing equipment for all beginners and new intermediate fencers to the club (using size 0 or size 2 epees), these fencers would need to come to sessions wearing track-suit bottoms (zipped or closed pockets), t-shirt and trainers (with socks). These sets will be your personal sets for the duration of any course/group of sessions.
Over a period of time we would hope that most regular fencers purchase their own equipment (at least some of it) so the club kit is available for new recruits (great Christmas and Birthday present ideas, see www.bladesbrand.com).
For older fencers (over 14 years old) wishing to fence with full size (size 5) epees, you must wear breeches and you will be able to borrow these (subject to availability) for a short period from the club, however you will be expected to purchase your own breeches very soon after starting regular attendance to the club. For those wishing to use size 5 epees you should attend wearing long socks and shorts under your track-suit bottoms to allow easy changing into breeches.
British Fencing Membership –
All those fence at the fencing club are required to be members of British Fencing which gives you insurance cover as well as other benefits. Please see www.britishfencing.com for details in their membership section. British Fencing offers an ‘Introduction to Fencing Membership’ which gives a 90 day ‘free’ membership for new starters in the sport.
Contacts and further information –
Club founder – Chris Howser
Email – chrishowser@hotmail.co.uk
Tel – 07887 522714
Other points of contact
Child Protection/Welfare Officer & Club Administrator – Jacqui Lever (contact in policy document, not for non welfare usage).
Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy
Jacqui can talk you through how the club works and how to get involved in the sport.
