Fencing north of t’Angel

Feb 2020.  A visit to Newcastle Fencing Club last week gave me a very intense evening on the piste (that’s Newcy On Tyne).
I’d emailed the club coach, Iain Aberdeen, ahead of our trip to the Frozen North to see our daughter - recently relocated there. Iain made me welcome on the Thursday evening – Epee Night. The “Fencing Centre” is in an unusual location – a large industrial unit on a trading estate, but it's an ideal space for their 8 permanent metal pistes, with reels built into the floor.  It’s the main Epee training facility for British Fencing Team GB in the North and Scotland – so little wonder almost everyone there on the night was wearing ‘GB’ apparel. This is a big club – over 60 registered members and over 30 there on the night I attended.
Iain's format is half–an-hour of very hi-tempo drill, in full kit, followed by one big Poole match – where everyone fences everyone, regardless of age, gender, or level. Iain vigilantly patrols and is ready to give tactical advice and ensure fair play. 
I think I did okay .... I won 9 of my 12 pool matches (each to 5 points). Then, a final hour of free fencing, and for me, not a second’s rest between invites ....all the senior fencers very eager to ‘grab the newbie’.
So overall, friendly, competitive... and a very intensive session.  I’ll certainly go again. Next time I’ll probably go for their Monday evening session, which is Foil and Sabre.  They also hold juniors and special coaching on Saturdays.
But 'oh', the following day...I ached all over ! That's the price to be paid for upholding the honour of Stone Fencing Club. The purpose of our trip was to give our daughter a hand with the decorating, but sadly, there was a lot more sitting than sanding. 
Paul Smythe

2020 Epee Success

Another competition success for one of our young fencers - Aldan Tai took third place at the British Youth Championship Qualifiers on Sun 26th Jan. The event was held at Packwood Haugh School, Shrewsbury. Aldan competed in Epee, in the U 16yr group - a field of 20 fencers. These are among the best youth fencers in the region. All those finishing in the top 8 have a guaranteed opportunity to represent the West Midlands region at the National Finals of the British Youth Championship (BYC) in May 2020.

Christmas Party 2019

The Club’s Christmas Party was a great hoot again this year – held at the Duke of York PH in Barlaston. Our old friends Fred and Leslie kindly came back from their new retirement home in Wales to host the games and the competitions. Great also to see old friends Ivan and all the loyal partners of fencing club members. Normally, each Wednesday, club members step out into the evening air to “go fencing” but sometimes return with mysterious deep yellow and black body markings. Which must prompt partners to wonder at times, what their other half is really up to on a Wednesday evening. So the Christmas party is a good way to reassure partners that it’s all totally innocent – if you don’t count the mental bruises inflicted by the pub quiz.

 In any pub quiz you would be forgiven for guessing that Vasco da Gama was the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe when in fact, as Fred revealed, it was Ferdinand Magellan. Doh ! But can you really be forgiven for not knowing the correct order of traffic lights ?  You’ve sat waiting for them to change a ‘million’ times but Fred’s questions are there to remind you haven’t learned anything new since you took your O-levels. 

 The bountiful supper of sausages, chips, onions and buttered bread was the best ever – especially good for healing the wounds of so many disappointed Quoits players earlier. Quoits must be the devil’s own way of reminding players that the laws of physics don’t work for you. The winning score was steadily building, initially from just over 100 to well over 300 - the eventual winner being lovely Leah – our pub landlady. Leah would have achieved superhero status just for the supper alone – but then she promptly donated the Quoits prize money back to the club !  Outstanding.

 It was an easy choice to award Brian the clubman of the year trophy. His dedication to coaching both newcomers and experienced fencers is the beating heart of our club. Ken’s remarks amplified the breadth of contribution that Brian makes to our understanding of the modern laws of fencing – and given Ken’s coaching success this year that’s true praise.

 We will miss Dan for the foreseeable future as he departs for a gap year, or more, in New Zealand. We hope that along with trying the extreme sports famously taken up there he will get a chance to fence at some of the big city clubs. Dan – if you’re reading this don’t forget to post back some pics for our website.

 Thanks again to Fred for hosting another excellent bash – and hope you can continue fencing near your new home town.

Look forward to seeing you all in the New Year – we’re back on Wed 8th Jan 2020.

Gianna Wins Silver !

Our star young fencer Gianna won the silver medal place at a prestigious regional fencing competition – the CocksMoors Woods Epee Championships. Gianna travelled to the competition in South Birmingham with her Dad, early on Sat 9th Nov 2019. Gianna competed in the U9’s Epee competition and got through four tough rounds of pool matches to find herself in the final. Her dad said afterwards “this is her first Epee competition – what a result ! We’re all so pleased”.
The sweet taste of success. Well done Gianna.

Fantastic donation of fencing Kit to Stone Fencing Club

Mrs Denny Shortland (pictured) retired recently and will be known to many throughout Staffordshire as a champion of community and schools sports, as well as a fencing coach in local Schools and Universities. Denny is a fine Epeeist and contacted the club in early Nov to say she would kindly donate all her equipment – and will occasionally come and fence with us on a Wednesday evening to keep her hand in.

The equipment may be a few years old but is in pristine condition – all protective clothing washed, masks scrubbed and swords restored. So if you fancy trying fencing for the first time now is the ideal opportunity. There’s a good chance we can fit you out with the right size and ‘hand’ of kit – just turn up in grippy trainers, stretchy bottoms and a bottle of water.
Many thanks Denny.

Robin Grey features Stone Fencing Club on BBC Radio Stoke's "Extra Time" show.

We were delighted to welcome Robin Grey from BBC Radio Stoke to the Club last Wednesday evening. Robin took over the station's Extra Time programme one year ago and has made a great success by providing a lively weekly round-up of sports news - from international events to local sports stories. Each week he points the floodlights at a community sports group and towards local sports stars.

Robin Grey, presenter from BBC Radio Stoke, chatting to Katey at our practice session on Wed 23rd Oct.

The broadcast went out on the following Frid night show - between 7 and 8pm, and again on Sat 26th at 7:45am. Its the first time that Fencing has featured on the show. Stone Fencing Club are the premier club in the Stoke and Staffordshire area so Robin's visit was a great oportunity to introduce our new club setting to the local radio audience.
If you want to catch the programme here's how you can hear it;
Tune to 94.6 FM and 104.1 FM and on DAB digital.
There’s a listen again feature for past programmes on the ‘BBC Sounds’ app (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds)
The Extra Time programme website is:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07nwcqg

Katey explaining the basic differences between Foil, Sabre and Epee fencing for "Extra Time" listeners.

Congratulations to Ideh and Stuart

We have two new recipients of bronze fencing awards - Ideh and Stuart. Congratulations to both of them for all their hard work to achieve this award.

Congratulations Gianna!

We are delighted that Gianna has received her bronze fencing award. Congratulations!

(July 2019)

Stone Fencing Club has moved!

From Wednesday 7 November 2018, we will be meeting at Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall. 

We are looking forward to fencing in our new venue and hope to see you there soon. Click on the Directions tab to find out how to get there.

Fencing Club music video

Stone Fencing Club has been featured in a video made by one of our members as part of their A level course work. The creator of the video, Amelia, received a distinction, so the examiners must have liked it!

Click on the YouTube link below to view the film.

Well done Amelia!

Join The 49'ers

Each month, the 49ers Club gives Stone Fencing the opportunity to raise funds for new equipment, coaching, etc. By paying £3.00 per month and picking a number between 1 and 49, members have a chance to win £49.00 if their number matches the bonus ball drawn on the first Saturday of every month. 
The winner of October's 49ers draw was Tracy Kennedy. Congratulations!
If you would like to join the 49ers Club, please contact Fred Powell.

Showing category "Competitions with other clubs" (Show all posts)

Stone Fencing Club v Abbotsholme School, 26 November 2014

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, November 27, 2014, In : Competitions with other clubs 
It's been a while since Stone Fencing Club has hosted a fencing competition against Abbotsholme School, so it was good to get them back over to Yarlet for the usual fun evening.

Sabre
As there were only five who wanted to fence sabre, we fenced an individual poule. The results were:
1.Paul (Stone)
2. Hannah (Stone)
3. Katey (Stone)
4. Reuben (Abbotsholme)
5. Henry (Stone)

Foil
Two teams of four competed in the foil team competiton:
Adam K, Dave, Amelia and Alison (all Stone) v James (Stone) with Max, J...
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Fencing at Wrekin Sword, Friday 3 January 2014

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Wrekin Sword hosted an evening of fencing on Friday 3 January 2014 to try and get us all back into doing some exercise after the Christmas break. Some of us were feeling very sluggish after a couple of weeks of extra food and drink.

Sabre
Hannah, Paul and Katey represented Stone against a strong Wrekin team consisting of Andrew, Rob and Alex. Despite Stone's best efforts, Wrekin were superior this evening, winning both the team competition and the individual poule.

Foil
Jon and Dave performed mu...
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Upcoming Competitions

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Monday, September 30, 2013, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Tuesday 1 October
Wrekin Sword v Stone Fencing Club
8pm start at Wrekin College

Saturday 5 October
Shrewsbury School v Stone Fencing Club
2pm start at Shrewsbury School

Wednesday 23 October
Stone Fencing Club v Abbotsholme School
8pm start at Yarlet

Fencers of all ages, abilities and weapons are welcome!

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Victory at Harper Adams University

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Monday, May 20, 2013, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Three fencers from Stone Fencing Club travelled to Harper Adams University for a small competition on Saturday 11 May. Dave, Hannah and Katey represented Stone, with Ann from Harper Adams, and Alastair and Luke from Wrekin Sword. As there were only six fencers, it was decided that we would hold an individual epee competition.

The results were:

1. Dave (25 points)
2. Alastair (23 points)
3. Hannah (21 points)
4. Luke (17 points)
5. Katey (16 points)
6. Ann (9 points)

Thanks to Harper Adams for organis...
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Harper Adams v Stone, Match Report

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club travelled to Harper Adams University on Thursday 28 February for a competition evening. Ten members of SFC made the journey, which is a great turnout.

Foil
The Stone foil team, consisting of Dave, James M and Adrian, beat the home team 4-2. Well done!

Epee
Fencing for Stone in the epee team competition were David, Fred and Martin. They fenced really well, only losing one match, and won the competition 5-1. Congratulations!

Sabre
There were five fencers competing in this event, so...
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Harper Adams University v Stone Fencing Club

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club will travel to Harper Adams University on Thursday 28 February for a competition evening. We will be putting forward foil, epee and sabre teams.

For further details, please ask Hannah.
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Upcoming Competitions

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Dates for your diary:

Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 September: Shropshire Open

Saturday 3 November: Shrewsbury School v Stone Fencing Club

Wednesday 7 November: Stone Fencing Club v Abbotsholme School

Thursday 22 November: Harper Adams University v Stone Fencing Club
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Stone Fencing Club v Abbotsholme, 28 March 2012

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, March 29, 2012, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone hosted an evening of fencing against Abbotsholme School on Wednesday 28 March.

Sabre
Hannah, Simon and Dave represented Stone against Henry, Reuben and Nick from Abbotsholme. It was a closely contested match, which Stone won 5-4. After completing the team competition, the fencers had a relay match, which was won by Stone 45-29. Well done to the sabreurs!

Epee
Liam, James, Martin and Bob fenced epee for Stone against Robert, Luke, Ian and Greg. Stone's team fenced very well, winning the team...
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Stone Fencing Club v Abbotsholme School

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Don't forget that we are hosting a competition against Abbotsholme School on Wednesday 28 March.

Please arrive at Yarlet by 8pm.

Thanks very much.

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Upcoming competition against Abbotsholme

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Friday, February 17, 2012, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Date for your diary:

Abbotsholme School will be visiting Stone Fencing Club on Wednesday 28 March 2012.
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A successful evening at Harper Adams

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Friday, February 17, 2012, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club travelled to Harper Adams University on Thursday 16 February 2012 for a competition against fencers from Harper Adams, Wrekin Sword and Newport Girls High School. We didn't have an epee team on this occasion, but had one sabre team and two foil teams.

Sabre
Hannah and Katey represented Stone and borrowed a member of Wrekin Sword, Jacob, to make up a team of three against Isaac, Warwick and Phoebe from Wrekin Sword and Newport Girls School. The first team competition was won b...
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A successful night for Stone at Harper Adams

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Friday, November 25, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club achieved some great wins in a competition evening hosted by Harper Adams University on Thursday 24 November.

Foil Team A
Stone's A team - Jon, Hannah and Dave - competed against three fencers from Harper Adams. Stone put in some excellent performances, winning the team competition 10-2.

Foil Team B
Stone's B team - James M, Matt and Warren - competed against a team of three fencers from Newport Girls' School. There was some great fencing from both sides, with Stone going on to ...
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An enjoyable night of fencing with Abbotsholme School

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, November 10, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club hosted a competition against Abbotsholme School on Wednesday 9 November. Eighteen fencers turned out for Stone with eleven competing for Abbotsholme, seeing one of the busiest fencing nights we have ever held at the club!

It was an extremely enjoyable evening, so thanks very much to Ken and Jon for organising the event. Thanks also to all members of SFC, who helped set up the equipment and ensured the smooth running of the evening's competitions. Thanks, as always, to Fred ...
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Victory for Stone's Foilists against Shrewsbury

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Sunday, November 6, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club travelled to Shrewsbury on Saturday 5 November, putting forward teams in all three weapons for a competition against Shrewsbury School.

Foil

Jon, Dave and Elliott competed for Stone against a team of three from Shrewsbury. It was a hotly constested match, which Stone won 6-3. Congratulations to the team for their excellent fencing.

Sabre

The Stone team of Paul, Hannah and Katey fenced two matches against three fencers from Shrewsbury, narrowly missing out on both ocassions. Mat...
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Stone Fencing Club v Shrewsbury School, 5 Nov 2011

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, November 3, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club will be competing against Shrewsbury School on Saturday 5 November 2011.
All fencers from Stone are welcome to come along.

Please arrive at the school at 1.30pm for a 2pm prompt start.

Directions to Shrewsbury School:

Go to http://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/page/information-visiting-teams to see instructions on how to get to the school.

Please use the Ashton Road entrance. For sat navs, use the post code SY3 7AT.
Once through the entrance, follow the road around to the left until you ...
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Stone v Abbotsholme, Weds 9 November

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, October 20, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Stone Fencing Club will be hosting a competition against Abbotsholme School on Wednesday 9 November.

We would like to start promptly at 8pm, so please arrive at Yarlet by around 7.45pm.
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Paul wins silver at the Shropshire Closed

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 
Congratulations to Paul Smythe of Stone Fencing Club for his silver medal in epee at the Shropshire Closed Competition, held at Belvedere School on Sunday 19 June 2011.

Paul was defeated 15-14 in the final by David Hiam, ex-England Epee Team Captain.

Paul also won the bronze Master at Arms medal, having fenced all three weapons during the competition. He was just four points behind the gold medal winner, which is a great achievement in such a strong field of competitors.
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Stone Fencing Club v Harper Adams University

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, May 5, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 

Stone Fencing Club v Harper Adams University

Wednesday 11 May 2011, 7.30 p.m

Venue: Harper Adams Uni Gym 

Directions to venue: TF10 8NB 

Visit Web Site  www.harper-adams.ac.uk

Fencing Contacts  Matt Howarth or Andrew Lines 

Sport Contact  Ben Harper


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Abbotsholme come to visit

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 

Abbotsholme prove worthy opponents

At home to skilled visitors, the very gallant efforts of the Stone Fencing Club epee team proved lacking and we were narrowly beaten 9 – 7.

The score line did not do justice to the quality of the individual matches that were produced from the team line up: Ian (past Club Captain) Henry, Rob and Alison. Indeed, out of all of the matches there were only two which ended in a 4 to 2 result; all of the others were decided by a solitary point! Henry and Ro...


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Competition at Shrewsbury School, Saturday 5 March 2011

Posted by Katey Goodwin on Thursday, March 10, 2011, In : Competitions with other clubs 

Thanks to Fred for the following report:

"We travelled to Shrewsbury on a very pleasant Saturday. We had hoped for better numbers, but we arrived with five fencers.

Having had discussions we decided that we would fence epee and foil. Time constraints would be affected by virtue that there would need to be the same people fencing in both disciplines, so we would run a four-man epee team and a three-man foil team.

Epee was first to go. Our team was Craig (capt), Dave, Martin and Fred. The side a...


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