Clubs History  
 

Bill Wood an accredited member of the Fencing Academy, moved to West Cumbria in 1999 and found the north of the county devoid of any fencing facilities, clubs, or school activity.

Plumbland Village Hall

Living in Arkleby, he decided to set up weekly lessons for local children with a few bits of equipment he managed to scrounge. Gradually experienced fencers living in the north of the county joined as the word spread. The group became too big for the village hall and it became obvious we would have to move when we broke a large double glazed window and a fluorescent fitting in the ceiling! It was at this stage, Steve and Sue Hannah joined, having learnt fencing at school and competed through university.

 

Beacon Hill School, Aspatria

Bill managed to get the fencing course added to the County Adult Education system, which ensured we had basic financial support. The group grew; all 3 weapons were coached; several teenage members came and went on to fight for their universities and one teenager, who emigrated to New Zealand, went on to fight at the Junior Commonwealth Games. However the schools policy for evening class opening changed and we were obliged to move.

 

Cockermouth School

The school kindly provided ample space and storage space for the accumulating equipment store. We received a substantial grant from the Lottery Award for All and made use of updating some of the elderly inadequate equipment to meet club members sizes and regulation changes.

During this time, Ruth Bober started an annual open fencing competition in Carlisle and latterly in Austin Friars School. The Cumberland Open was born in 2009 and survived for 7 years until lack of entries meant it wasn’t realistic to continue.

During this time another professional coach, Ray Parsons, who lived in Keswick, joined to coach and teach whenever he could and members found his different style beneficial. Steve Hannah also got his professional coaching certificate for Level 2 sabre.

However, owing to cost issues, we were obliged to look for an alternative venue.

 

Bothel Village Hall

Bothel came out favourite for cost, quality of facilities and geographical location for travelling members. Lucy Shardlow, having achieved her coaching certificates in Sabre Level 1, took fencing coaching into several of the village schools and to the University.

 

Anyone is welcome, beginner or experienced. Each session includes some coaching and some fighting in either epee or sabre. We seem to have lost interest in foil over the years.