Club Details
A friendly informal club with some members who train and compete at open competitions and other national and international events and other purely 'social' members. Whatever your aims, drop in and you will be guaranteed a friendly welcome. Beginners will be offered an introductory course, whilst experienced fencers will gain from the excellent coaches and competitive fencers who make up the club. Visitors are also welcome. Whatever your fencing background see the section on ENROLMENT below.
Nick Soper
Graham Woolfenden
Declan Imeson-Wood
Formed in 1961, in its early years the club was very active and its members represented the county and were prime movers in the creation of the then Worcester (now Hereford & Worcester) County Fencing Union. After a bleak period in the early 1970's, the club was revitalised in 1976 and in 1978 moved to its present venue, the Grange School. In 2001, therefore, it celebrated its 40th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of its rebirth.
Since the mid 1980's the club has had a steady flow of competitive success, both in team
and individual events. In recent years the Club has been both the Regional and County Men's team champions and
has won the magnificent Wilkinson Sword Trophy 5 times for the best overall Men's & Ladies Hereford & Worcester
team. It has also produced the County Foil and Sabre champions (11 times out of last 12 years) and the Regional
Sabre champion (in 1993 had 1st. 2nd. & 4th. places) and in Feb. 2001 taken the Foil Gold for the first time
with a junior just behind in Bronze. There are always a good proportion of club members in any County team; recently
several have represented the Region and a member fenced in the Welsh team at the 1994 Commonwealth Fencing Championships,
gaining a Bronze medal, and the G B "B" team later that year and 2 members have represented GB in the
European Veterans team championships - both gaining medals, fenced in the European Individual championships and
both also in the Veterans World Championships culminating with a Gold medal in the Men's Cat. III Sabre in the
European Individual Championships in Moscow in June 2003, together with 8th place in the Women's Epée at
the same event.That was capped in September 2003 by taking the World title in Limoges, again in Sabre (Cat II,
this time there are no 40-50 yr olds in the World Championships). In January 2005 the club again had two members in the top 50 in the national rankings, with one at 37th in the Man's Sabre ranings - the highest any club member has reached for many years and, for the first time ever, a Woman foilist in the top 50 and, hopefully, still climbing. She is also in the top 100 at épée, along with a couple of other members in their weapon list.The ranks of club members competing in Veterans events has been swollen lately and on was 2nd in his age group at Epée in his first event the NVA National Age group Championships. The other two have again qualified for the World Championships in 2005
Meanwhile, there are a number of fencers who come to the club regularly, enjoy their fencing but are not interested in competitions, except, perhaps a small, local event. Those who wish to come to the club for that level of participation are equally as welcome as those who aspire to lining their mantelpiece with gold medals.
The most successful beginners' group in memory was completed in Autumn 2002, with nearly 20 new members coming from it - most of whom were quickly into their first competitions. Expansion of the club to two evenings per week was attempted in September 2001, intially with with some success. However, with dwindling numbers,that had to close because its financial viability was in doubt. The large number of enquiries about joining the club continued and led to a second attempt to establish the second session in January 2003. This time a small but enthusiastic group grew rapidly, with a new course after Easter that year swelling the numbers further. Several long standing members now come for a second night's training and some of the "Tuesday" members now also turning out twice a week. Although, on average, numbers are still a little lower on Tuesdays than Thursdays, the session is now established as part of the club' normal working patttern.
For many years a flourishing exchange took place between the club, as representatives of Dudley and BREMEN, Germany. This was of great benefit both socially and in fencing experience for club members. Contact was recently re-made and it is hoped that the event might be re-kindled. For more details see the Bremen Exchange Page
New members are encouraged to take part in competitions as soon as is thought right for the individual.
Whilst aware of its past, the club is very forward looking and was the first in the region
to be equipped for electric sabre and some years ago paid for the new floor at its venue to have pistes
marked. Funds are regularly committed to improving the level of equipment available to enable more members to accustom
themselves to competition conditions so that, hopefully, the flow of success will continue.
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The Club has a number of social events to help members mix, especially those who rarely meet because of fencing on different evenings and to encourage a life off the piste. Speaking of which, fencing is thirsty work and a number of members usually go to refresh their fluid levels at the The Shovel Inn down the road in Lye (The home of the Balti House)
The Club also runs an annual open competition for mixed teams. For further details go to the Crystal Open page