Happy Friday everyone,

Lots of interesting things happening or in the pipeline at the moment. Jon trekked off to Colchester to see what Eastern Region were going on about with talk of development plans and pennies from British Fencing. He's come back full of ideas and enthusiasm so if you'd like to get involved in either County level or even Regional committee do give him a tap on the shoulder.

Another element of this is that Region are looking for referees and armourers - if you'd be interested do let Jon know at the usual address. The final part of this is that we are looking to hold more competitions within county - if you are prepared to help with those then it would be appreciated.

We've had some communication from Watford about having some more competitions and so we've set up a series of matches starting September 1st. This will be Epee and at home - so there's no reason for all the epeeists out there not to come along and do their bit.

The other dates for your diary are:

• Sabre 12 October - Away
• Foil 3rd November - Home
• Novice Foil - 7th December Away

Teams are of 4 (3 and a reserve) - so if you're interested do let me know!

On competitions, at the pub last night we managed to coerce a healthy proportion of those present into doing the Essex Open. Jon may have mentioned something about providing a healthy reward for the best aggregate result. It's the 3rd and 4th September and from the sounds of it we had a solid 10 or so around the table interested in going. Just remember - you will need your BFA licence for that one. Liam is slowly working up a list of competitions that are reasonably close and we'll post that up when we get a chance.

The Open Air marches steadily closer - please remember to get entry forms back to Philip as we have opened entry up to other clubs.

If anyone is interested there is a committee meeting at Helen T's house this Tuesday at 8 - if you are coming from St Albans give Jon an email for a lift or directions.

Finally, as it'll put a smile on Tony's face - Penn and Teller this Saturday at 9- he shall be performing a stupendous piece of magic that will knock your socks off. Get it Sky+'d people.

News Update: July 18

The Luton Relay saw 9 of us wake up at silly o'clock on a Sunday. We came, we saw and we fenced our little hearts out. Sadly, we didn't win. We did see some impressive attempts to claw victory from the jaws of defeat and Bev managed a small victory which no doubt she shall share with you (at length) for as long as you'll listen.... Thanks to everyone who took part, and for those of you who didn't it was a great day - we'll rope you in next year!

This year's Essex Open (if you've caught competition fever) is on the 3 and 4 September and this year includes a novice foil event. I know there's a few people interested so far, and its not that far to go for an Open. But you will need a full BFA license. Entry is through the Leon Paul shop - and don't forget to let us know if you're going and how you do!

Olympics tickets - some folks have told us they don't want theirs so if you didn't put your name down first time its second chance rules so email us . We'll be pulling names out of a mask Thursday 21st. If you've not paid for your tickets yet can you get cheques to Philip by the 21st as well please.

Open Air looms large upon us once again - Entry Forms to Philip, and Jon usually has a clipboard full with him on Thursdays. It's a great day, we'll have a huge BBQ and bring friends, family and they can see what we get dressed up in the funny white gear for.

See you Thursday

News Update - June 22

We are planning on entering the Luton Team Relay event on 17th July - we have enough sabreurs to rope in to enter 3 teams potentially - we are short of foilists and epeeists. If you're interested please speak to Liam, Bev or email Jon. For those who will feel bad about not doing something involving fencing that weekend, there is also the Norfolk Open that weekend. If you're going let us know how you do.

There is some interesting activity going on in the world of regional fencing (short story - British fencing is doling out some money and region is meeting in July to carve out a development plan). So far we've come up with the following:
Region-wide performance days
Greater emphasis on armourers/refereeing courses
Incentives for coaches to progress beyond level 1
Develop more sabreurs as a region
Promote youth fencing.

If you've got anything you'd like to see delivered at a regional level then please come and see me.

Finally, if we get the numbers we will be running a beginners course from 7 July. If you're not yet a member and fancy joining the course then please get in touch!

St Albans win Herts County Team Foil

Congratulations to Terry, Andy and Paul from the St Albans Fencing Club – They took 1^st place in the annual Herts Team Foil.

Liam seemed to be able to perform a sort of loaf and fishes miracle by being able to kit out the Herts Uni team from his old kit bag and then still have a jacket spare for Dale.

Seven teams took part, 5 from St Albans, one from Herts Uni and one from Paul’s new club at Verulam school . We held a short AGM for the Herts County and then moved on to the competition – Two pools, one with 3 teams and the other with 4 were held, the best two teams from each heat going on the semis.

Tony, Zoe, Matt were up against the Uni team. Andy, Terry and Paul (St Albans A) up against St Albans C (James, Liam and Dale). The C team set them selves the target of being team A’s highest scoring opponents, they managed to streak into a fantastic 3 -0! lead before settling down to a respectable 23 – 45 defeat, Liam being the star by managing to pull back 9 points before his opponent ratcheted up his 5 points.

The final was between two St Albans teams – Zoe, Matt and Tony against Terry, Andy and Paul. St Albans A emerging victorious in a match which without a doubt was between the two best teams.

I know it’s been Shavuot this week, and if I’d paid a bit more attention I’d have remembered more of the 10 commandments, but as far as I do remember, some of them were:

- Thou shalt not go out on the razz the night before and not expect to feel as sick as a dog when you fence

- Thou shalt not watch the box, but shall wait for the president to call halt before you stop fencing.

- Thou shall not sit down between pools, ‘cos you’ll never be able to get up again.

Thank you Liam for organising the event, as ever well run and to time. Hopefully we’ll see some other clubs being beaten by St Albans next year.

News Update:

Good news for those who spoke up about Olympics tickets - we have our full twenty and so if you wanted part of the allocation cheques for £30/ticket to Philip soon please - preferably before the end of the month.

Sword Fighters kit remains in a bit of limbo. British Fencing put a notice around a few weeks ago. The undertone is fairly obvious that for the time being, until SPF kit gets kite marks and the likes, you would probably be best avoiding it for more substantial purchases (socks are probably OK!)

We are now on Facebook for those of you who use these things. No plans for Twitter yet.....

The Open Air starts to loom closer and closer - We are wrapping up final details of venue but it looks very likely to be Verulam School (as a bit of a departure from our normal foray onto the tennis courts) on September 11. Any volunteers willing and able to lend a hand setting up in the morning/sort out pool sheets and the likes would be very much appreciated.

Finally a quick thanks to Helen for hosting the rounders a couple of weeks ago - much fun was had by all even if we do need to consider a new ball!

PS: Herts Team Foil and AGM on June 11. Even if you're not fencing come along and cheer for a bit - it all helps.

Club News

AGM
Helen Porteous has kindly agreed to be club secretary, taking over from David Reid
Junior club membership fees were set at £40 quarterly and £5 per night
The proposed changes to the constitution were agreed - with the new definition of member and the new junior membership category

Membership Survey
It's your last chance to fill out the membership survey, which will close Saturday 2nd April. Please let us know how you'd like us to run your club!

Late Night Fencing
The second extended fencing session will take place on Thursday 7th April and the 1st Thursday of the month for the rest of the year. We start at 8pm as normal, but fence til 10.30pm.

Fencing Social
The next fencing social / non-fencing night will be on Thursday 12th May - event to be announced, but put it in your diaries now please!

Hoodies and T-shirts
Just to remind you all club branded hoodies and t-shirts are still available, please speak to Helen T, or any of the committee if you're interested

Thank you for reading! See you Thursday!

Helen

AGM, County Championships, BFA Coaching Course, BAF Performance Day

On 22 March, 8PM it is our AGM at the Garibaldi. As always there's free food and a free drink to be had if you'll come along. This is your chance to have you say on fees and there is a proposal to change the constitution to create a new membership catagory for U18s. A copy of what is proposed is here. It would be helpful if you could have you say on the membership survey beforehand though.

County Championships time is nearly upon us again. Individual events are on 2nd April and we would thoroughly encourage anyone who'd like to go to do so. There is a novice foil category for those who have been fencing less than two years but you will need an electrified bib and current BFA membership. For those of you on BFA social membership you get a free local competition anyway so for the majority of you this would be it. There will be a team foil competition on June 11.


The BFA are running a coach education course in April - this is a two day course designed to get you to Level 1 in your chosen weapon. If you are going please let Jon know. The full details are on the BFA website.


Finally, Liam and his friends in the BAF have come up with a performance/training day in Staffordshire on 21/22 May. Those of you who have been with us a few years will remember Liam and Peter Wright running a gigantic fencing session for all three weapons as a pre-season warm up. Blurb from Liam below:

COURSE INFORMATION

Maestro Roberto Piranio (CV below) will be coming over from Italy to run the course with Prof. Philip Bruce. It is possible that we will also have other European and British Fencing Masters assiting.

Plans are to run the course from 10 am to 4pm on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend, with a dinner on Saturday evening for those who wish to have a social element to the event. All three weapons will be covered and we are setting a minimum age of 13 for participants (we will be requesting that any participants under the age of 17 should have a few years of fencing and competitive experience under their belt)

Lunch will be included in the ticket price which will be as follows

£45 per head if you have booked by April 20th, £47.50 per head thereafter, £50 within 2 weeks and £55 on the day. A light lunch and refreshments will be included in the ticket price.

If you'd like further information ask Jon for an entry form.

Finally, the date for this year's open air event will be September 11th - mark your diaries.