Beginners over the age of 11 are welcome and a six week course has been designed for the first time fencer to get an idea of what the sport is all about.

The course consists of six 1 hours sessions which include the basic rules of fencing, the equipment and safety, with the last session a friendly competition between the beginners using electric foil.

We have equipment available to borrow during the course but anyone who decides to carry on fencing with the club is encouraged to buy their own basic kit - jacket, mask, glove and sword.

The cost of the course is £45 for adults or £25 for under 16s. You should be aware that although the course is six weekly sessions, in practice things such as half-term usually mean the course takes longer than six weeks to complete. A certificate is awarded at the end of the course and anyone who wishes to carry on will be invited to join the club.

The dates for each course are decided a month or so before the start, as they have to fit in around normal work schedules for the instructors. Previous courses have run on for weeks after the expected finish date which has caused us no end of trouble. Future courses will have a fixed timetable, so we would ask that you check carefully that you are able to attend all the dates.

Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult, even if that adult is not actually taking part in the fencing.

There is no specific clothing requirement except for a decent (not necessarily expensive) pair of training shoes.

Please note: due to limitations on space and equipment, we currently have a waiting list for the beginners' course. We can add you to the list, but it may be several months before we have any spaces available.