Thursday, 16 December 2010
In spite of the weather as of 17:45 we still intend to fence this evening (16 Dec) and afterwards get together for some food, drink and socialising. We also will hold a very brief EGM at 9 o'clock.
PLEASE DO KEEP LOOKING HERE. If the weather gets worse or if the school tell us they're closed, we'll update the site as quickly as we can.
If you are coming, please drive carefully
Thursday, 18 November 2010
EGM 16 December
Venue: Balcony, Marlborough School, 9:30 (before the Balcony do)
Introducing Junior members to the club requires us to amend categories of membership which in turn needs a change to the constitution. As part of the review we realised that the section on subscriptions doesn't really sit well with how the club currently goes about collecting fees and so we have suggested a change to reflect this. A tracked change version is available here. If you have any questions about membership changes please speak to Jon - for fee questions let Philip know.
First fixture against Luton Sword 16 Nov (away)
Four intrepid fencers went to sort out Luton: Bev, Zoe, Dave and Philip, taking the risk of fog descending either on the way there or on the return home. Luckily, we only had to contend with Philip's poor map reading, with a back up satnav system that in Bev's words had 'a mind of its own'.
Well, we did not lose, but we did not win, either. The result was a dead heat and an exact repeat of our July match, winning the epee 5:4, but losing the foil 4:5. One of our epeeists was most unfortunate in losing 4:5 three times, but it gave all of us the opportunity to experience the adrenalin rush on each of those three bouts. Actually, there was even more adrenalin provided in that the scores as we entered the final bout in each of the foil and epee was.........4:4. How weird is that?
Something very novel and most welcoming happened during the brief rest between the pools. Cakes were provided, courtesy of a Luton team member who works in a bakery. Very nice, indeed, thank you and could set the scene for subsequent home matches, I think.
Would that be a suitable enticement for other members to put their names in the hat for the next match on 2nd December, AT HOME to Bedford?
No?
Thursday 9th December, 7.30pm, White Lion
Hi All,
As Christmas is rapidly approaching it's time to organise the fencing club Christmas meal!
All welcome, including partners, friends and hangers-on!
Venue is the White Lion pub, just off Old-London Road in St Albans. Cost will be £25 for three courses including tip, but coffee and mince pies are £2.50 extra.
Please see Helen at the club or email social(at)sa-fc.org.uk (replace the at with @) to reserve your place.
All reservations and menu choices will need to be made by Thursday 2nd December and the cost paid in full. Menu below.
Look forward to seeing you all there,
Helen :)
Starters
Parsnip, Chilli and Parmesan Soup Served with Crusty Bread Roll
Duck Liver and Cognac Parfait With Toast and Orange and Champagne Syrup
Smoked Salmon Cannelloni Tubes of Smoked Salmon filled with Beetroot and Red Chard
Main Meals
Traditional Roast Norfolk Turkey With Seasonal Trimmings
Fillet of Scottish Salmon en Papillotte With Fennel and Lemon Ceviche Buttered New Potatoes and Watercress Purée
Brie and Asparagus Tart, With Parmesan Pastry Served with Mixed Leaves and Buttered New Potatoes
Dessert
Traditional Christmas PuddingServed warm with Brandy Butter
Cinnamon Crème Brulée..
Selection of English Cheeses with grapes and oatcakes
Freshly brewed coffee served with mince pie - £2.50 supplement
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Please note that we plan on amending the clubs policy on members under 18.
We propose to allow members aged 15 and over to attend, but they must have a responsible adult in attendance at all times.
We appreciate that this makes a bit of a change from previous (if I recall correctly it puts us in the same position the club was in around 2000) and so we would welcome your comments.
The 2010/11 season's fixtures have just been issued and are shown below. If any member wants to be considered for either weapon at any match please email treasurer@sa-fc.org.uk.
Home to Luton Thu 9 June 2011
Thursday, 7 October 2010
New zipper hoodies

Due to popular demand we are considering purchasing some new zipper hoodies for male and female members of the club. It's going to get colder, so why not purchase one before winter hits us.
Please speak to Helen Turner at the next fencing meet to arrange for your purchase. The zipper design hoodie is show in the image above.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
23rd September
Just to let you know there is no fencing on Thursday 23rd September due to a school parents evening, so we'll be convening at the Hare and Hounds pub on Old London Road at 8pm instead.
Hope to see you all there!
Helen
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Fencing social
An Evening of Magic & Mind Reading with Chris Dugdale (directed by Tony Middleton)
Hi All,
On Tuesday 14th September we're organising a fencing outing to see Tony's latest production at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, click here for full details.
Tickets will be the bargin price of £10, as long as ten or more of us go (£15 if not).
Please let me know if you'd like to come and bring your money along to fencing on Thursday.
You can email me direct (if you have my email address) or socialATsa-fc.org.uk (replace the AT).
Other halves, friends and all welcome!
Hope to see you all there.
Helen
ps. Date for your diary - Thursday 9th December - Fencing Christmas Meal
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Club news
Hope you've all had a good week. Last Thursday saw the return of Coach Liam from his travels and travails in Switzerland, coming third in the Master of Arm's event at the Fencing Master's World Championship. I'm sure we can all appreciate what an achievement this is!
The Open Air is on the Sun 12th Sept (see the news item further down the page) - it would be great to see you there.
Finally, the magic Mr Middleton is producing a show in Hammersmith for the next few weeks. Helen has sent round an email for those who'd be interested in going to see (and Tony has promised a few drinks!) on the following dates:
Tuesday 7th September, Tuesday 14th September or Friday 17th September.
Adult tickets are £15, consessions £12.
Other halves, friends and all welcome.
See you tomorrow!
Monday, 2 August 2010
Open Air & BBQ
Hopefully this will not come as a surprise to everyone who's been along recently, but our annual open air event is rapidly looming over the horizon. If you haven't had an entry form yet it is available here or if you can get to any club evening one of the committee should have a few copies on them.
If this is your first, its a relaxed day to get a bit of fencing in, show the family quite what it is you do on Thursday nights to come back with odd shaped bruises, and then get stuck into a few beers and BBQ afterwards (or during!).
Monday, 19 July 2010
NO FENCING 22nd JULY
There's no fencing this Thursday (22nd July), so Helen Porteous has very kindly offered her garden for a friendly game of rounders and some socialising.
A limited quantity of drink and a few nibbles will be available, please bring your own if you want anything specific, or to drink a lot!
Further details please contact socialATsa-fc.org.uk (replace the AT)
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Site updated
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Commitee meeting
On the beer terrace at the Sandridge Rd Allotments (behind the King William pub).
Access is from Marshall Avenue, which runs between Sandridge Rd and Beech Rd.
Entrance is between house numbers 24-26. Post code for your Tom Tom AL3 5HT.
Park in the car park and walk on the path that runs directly away from the car park towards the two polly tunnels on the far side of the site.
We’ll be on the beer terrace, or if wet in the far polly tunnel
Beer, snacks, company, executive decisions to be made, and funny shaped vegetables!
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Herts County Team Foil Championship
SAFC entered four teams, representing half the entries (there were ten at one stage). After a brief AGM, at which all proposed resolutions were passed and after a few last minute changes, the pools commenced. Although Liam was organising the event, he kindly offered his services to make up team C- thank you, Liam!
After some gruelling bouts, only A and B teams made the cut to the semi finals, with team A drawing Ayot St Lawrence. This was a hotly contested match, with Zoe, Tony and David W working very hard, only conceding 45:42 at the very end. A great match to watch.
Team B (David and Gill Reid and Max) drew Watford A, but lost 45:13. Guys- if you need consolation, Watford A went on to win, 45-42 against Ayot St Lawrence.
One point that was clearly made during the day- it is quite possible to get several hits against the likes of Paul, Ben, Andy and Chris. Certainly the passing around of information about how the opposition fences from closely watching them helps everyone. They are not invincible!
Well done – EVERYONE. If it is not the taking apart that counts, then it is the taking part that matters.
Afterwards, many participants went to another place to watch another match of a different kind. I would dearly love to say I don’t know what the score of that one was, too- but I am sure everyone knows it already.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
T-Shirts!
At long last (and thanks to the creative talents of Beverley Sullivan) we can finally show you what the next round of T shirts will look like:


We are offering T shirts (and subject to demand, hoodies) for £7 or £15 for the hoodies.
All we need to know is:
Your size
The number you're interested in
Whether you'd like a hoodie.
If you can drop us an email with all this and a cheque for the right amount to Philip, we'll do the rest.
See you all Thursday
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Open Air announcement
Hi everyone,
Two big announcements this week. The first is that the Open Air is the 12th September and we'd like you and your other halves to be there. Its an opportunity for spouses and loved ones to see quite why we dress up as we do and come back aching on any given Thursday (and enjoy a BBQ and maybe a beer or two while we're at it). Entry forms will be making their way to you shortly.
The other is that the ever talented Tony Middleton will be doing his magic show at the Old Town Hall:
Saturday 19th June, 7:30pm
Sunday 20th June, 7pm
Tickets £10, £7 concs.
Call the festival box office on: 01727 864 511
or tourist information: 01727 844 488
or online: http://www.stalbansfestival.com/theatre/icalrepeat.detail/2010/06/19/158/14/sonics-amazing-magic-shows
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Match Report - Away to Bedford
For the 6th fixture of the season, St Albans marginally won both epee and foil against Bedford. At 5:4 and 5:4, you cannot get more marginal than that - except in a General Election.
You would have been proud of the coalition forces: our coach Liam joined the two Davids (the older ones among you will recall the regular use of this phrase during the 1980’s) in the epee and James B, Philip and David W for foil.
A victorious majority was attained early on at 5:2 in the epee, so I would like to think that the final two bouts were part of the team’s cooling down process. The ‘GBR’ on the back of Bedford’s youngest epeeist had nothing to do with it, I am sure.
Now with the foil, there was a true nail-biting finish. It looked as though we had won at one stage, but then an opponent said they had yet to fence James, who had already had three bouts. On investigation it was found that James had fenced and won against their shared third team members. Once the tally had been adjusted, James was told of the 4: 4 score and that it was down to him to fight his 4th bout of the evening, against Russ who is not an easy opponent. The result? James won in the most convincingly way possible- 5:0- and assuredly wins the Man of the Match Award and was elected Prime Sinistre (see me if you need an explanation)!
There are now only two fixtures left, home to Milton Keynes, which has been postponed once more due to their difficulty in getting a team together and home to Luton on 8th July.
Let Philip know if you wish to want to join a team.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Quiz Night
Just a reminder that we'll be having a quiz at the Hare & Hounds pub on Old London Road, in St Albans this Thursday (29th April) starting at 8pm. Directions here.
Entry fee is £2 per person, with cash prizes for first and second place!!
So come along with your clever hat on and enjoy the intellectual(?) company of your fellow fencers.
There will be chips - so how can you resist!!
See you all on Thursday I hope.
Helen :)
Friday, 23 April 2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Curry night on Thursday April 1st
It's a curry night instead at the Waterend Barn (Lloyds) which is in the centre of St Albans.
Please arrive at 8pm. You can have a look at the website here and also find a map on how to get there.
See you there! If you haven't been fencing for awhile, then please come along and catch up with everyone.
Round Up - 25 March Round Up - 25 March
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Newspaper article on the St Albans Fencing Club
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Annual General Meeting
It's that time of year again - time to stand up and be counted, your chance to stand for high office without the danger of being embroiled in an expenses scandal.
8PM start at the Portland Arms http://theportlandarmspub.co.uk/ at AL3 4RA.
We'll be feeding you, so no need to eat before you come.
If you'd like to see the agenda before hand, or have anything you'd like to add to the AOB section, please contact one of the committee.
Look forward to not being able to squeeze into the bar.
Hold the front page!
We're in the Herts Advertiser - Thanks to some background work by David and an evening hosted by Jon, we've a good spread in the 11 March issue.
Not normaily given to flights of fancy, the reporter describes been introduced to a 'strapping young gentelman' - Names on a post card please!
A fantastic bit of publicity for fencing generilly, and most importantly for St Albans Fencing Club.
The full article can be found at hertsad24.co.uk - a scan of the article is available on our flickr account
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Herts Senior Championships
Check-In Times:
Novices Foil 10:00 - 10:15Seniors Foil 11:30 - 11:45
Sabre 14:00 - 14:15
Epee 15:30 - 15:45
Monday, 1 March 2010
Upcoming matches
Home to Watford 11th March 2010
Match report - Feb 24th
Foil –Peter Davies, David White and Philip
DW did several ‘catwalk’ changes in order to fence epee and foil, doing the club proud in both. Peter Davies defeated Andy Docherty convincingly in the first bout, Andy being a past HFA Foil Champion.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Match report - Jan 28th
Unfortunately, this third fixture result was a long way removed from our dead heat last week with Bedford. The Epee team of Jason, Tim and David managed a competent 5:4 victory. There were no marginal results and Tim's heels were much quieter! It was a bit unnerving to see a named jacket with 'WAL' underneath it, but a few discreet enquiries informed us that the opponent was 'merely' a sabreur. Jason managed a vital clean sweep and the exercise helped him along the road in recovering his former svelte figure (last seen in the 1990's?!).
Matters went downhill after that, convincingly losing the foil 7:2.
With the team initially comprising Philip and James, David was persuaded to swap his epee for a proper sword and 'get on with it'. Unfortunately (that word again, so you probably guess what is coming next) Mr 'WAL' doubled up on foil, too! But David promptly stood up to the mark and scored both our victories.
Convincingly lost the foil? Well, let's look at that in a bit more detail, shall we? Were there any 'marginal' defeats? Yes- two, with both lost by Philip.
So............ if Philip had turned them into 5:4 VICTORIES,
then.........? OK, stop right there! I know where you are going with this one- the foil score would still have been a defeat, but 4:5, not 2:7, right?
Yes. And then............? Oh, no! It would have been another dead heat; Bedford all over again! Calculators at five paces, anyone???
Remember: "the fencing is not over until the 5:4 loser swings!" (or is that whinges? ED)
The next fixture is 24 February; away to Watford.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Match report - Jan 24th
In our second outing of the season we achieved a dead heat, losing the epee 2:7, winning the foil 7:2, but with indicators across both weapons at -18 and +18. How unlikely or unlucky is that? The scoresheets have therefore been passed to the Three Counties Organiser for adjudication.
Watch this space- although he might decide to do nothing and leave it to our return match in May.
Bedford's Russ, Graham and Adam fenced epee first against Jason, Tim and David. Most of this happened whilst two thirds of the foil team were doing maintenance work on the storage cupboard doors. After their convincing win, Bedford then changed over to foil. My recollection is that Adam was the more controlled, innovative and faster moving team member and probably caused our teams more of a headache. To be fair, Liam H had mentioned a few weeks ago that the Bedford foilists were becoming stronger (previously it had a predominance in epee and sabre).
With the foil comprising Andy, Philip and Ben, it was Ben that got the only clean sweep of the evening, with a fine display of his close quarters swordplay. Some of you may recall this at our Open Air last September (there are still some photos on the website).
With no bones, blood vessels, boxes or blades broken, I suppose you could call that a result in itself!
Since I do not have the scoresheets, I do not know how close the bouts were. The same teams may, therefore, have to be fielded at the next match by default- unless more of you are interested in putting your name forward!?
Let Philip know.