The Fencing Holt
The Fencing Holt was formed due to many venues closing due to Covid. Those who wanted to continue to fence could only do so outside and many would find a secluded wooded area to practice in. Historically this would have been the only way you could practise your swordsmanship.
Fencing – The sport of fighting with swords.
Holt – Old English for Forest Upland or Wood/A play on words used by the referee ‘Halt’.
In 1763 a gentleman by the name of Domenico Angelo established Angelo’s School of Arms in Soho London where he taught the aristocracy the art of swordsmanship. Fencing moved towards being a sport rather than just military training and he is recognised as being the first to promote fencing ‘as a means of developing health, poise and grace.’
Now you too can learn the art of fencing at one of our two locations.
Fencing Workshops and Competitions
SUMMER WORKSHOP
Workshop Title. ‘Winning While Under Pressure’
Dates: 29th & 30th July – 5th & 6th Aug
Time: 9am – 12.30pm
Venue: CoptHall, Copthall Ave, Hawkhurst, TN18 4LP
Fee : £47.00 pp. Per Day.
The Fencing Holt Epee Friendly Fencing Competition Dates
Sat T.B.C.
Venue: Marlborough House School Sports Hall, Hawkhurst, TN18 4PY
Time:
Copt Hall
Copt Hall Ave, Hawkhurst, TN18 4LP, Kent
Course Date
Spring Term 2025
January 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
Feburary 1st, 8th, 15th
Half Term **NO Fencing** 22nd Feb
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
April 5th, 13th
Spring Course Fee
£224.00
Payment Detail
Bank: Merto Bank / Cummunity Account
Name The Fencing Holt
Acc No. 55044236
Sort: 23-05-80
At The Fencing Holt Hawkhurst the sessions are divided into two age groups. Both sessions will begin with a warm up that will help prepare you for the evening’s fencing and develop your fitness. This will be followed by Footwork Drills. As footwork is vital to good fencing and needs to become second nature for good swordsmanship we will collectively work through various exercises before putting on our masks and picking up our swords.
Once you have completed the course you will be able to enjoy fencing other club members on the Electric Piste and continue your development with 1-2-1 Lessons. Advice in purchasing your own equipment and sword will be freely given and is an exciting moment for any Fencer. I envisage that as our numbers grow, we will extend our hall hire time to accommodate your need to Free Fence more and to enjoy the benefit of the 1-2-1 coaching.
The Beginners group will provide new fencers with a basic and thorough understanding of how to fence and fence safely. As our young fencers develop, they require greater challenges, the Experienced Junior Session is where this happens with several of our fencer’s keen to compete in competitions the coaching becomes more focused on performance development.
The Fencing Holt has an active group of young fencers who take part in County, Regional and National competitions. So if your ambitions are compete then TFH has established a pedigree of training that will help you achieve your dreams.
The Beginners Course
is structured around group tuition and only requires you to wear Tracksuit/Sports top (no hoodies) and bottoms that cover the legs. Footwear can be any trainer suitable for squash/tennis with non-marking soles. All fencing equipment will be provided. As fencing can be hot work, please bring a water bottle and a dry change T-Shirt for your journey home.
The groups are kept within selected age ranges so that pupils may safely fence each other and develop at a faster pace.
You will be taught the importance of footwork and blade control, the correct use of the equipment and learn the Etiquette that is mandatory for safe fencing. By the end of the course, you will have a firm understanding of the basics and be able to fence safely. Skills that’s can contribute towards the D of E Awards, Scout Badges and the recognised B.F.A. Achievement Awards.
Once you have completed the Beginners Course you will be encouraged to purchase your own equipment. This is because of a need to minimising the Risk of Covid and to minimise the demand on club equipment as our membership numbers grow. Advice will be freely given.
The Coach
I’ve been fencing now for over 25 years and like many, I started whilst at University. I was taught the use of Foil and soon found myself entering competitions when my coursework allowed, but it didn’t take long before I was frequenting a second Club run by my Coach.
In 2014 I began to learn the art of Epee under Professor Steve Paul a three-time Olympian, World Cup Winner, Three-time National Champion and a very successful coach. I instantly changed weapons and began the development of my own coaching skills in the Epee under his guidance.
I am a fully registered British Fencing Association (B.F.A.) Level 3 Epee Coach offering group and individual lessons.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge and qualified as a coach with the intention of promoting the sport and developing athletes of all ages and backgrounds, making their learning experience fun and holistic, so they may draw upon these skills in everyday life.
As a performance coach, I undertake the development and preparation of my pupils on a 1-2-1 basis so they may compete and develop to the standards of competition. For a small club we have achieved many podium finishes in 2024 alone, which also include several Gold’s.
Please take a look at Recent Achievemnt page for more details.
The welfare of my students is integral to my approach to coaching. This has allowed me to successfully work with adults and children with ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia and physical disabilities.