Where & when do we meet?

The Godalming Fencing Club meets at the Charterhouse School sports centre, which is just off the A3, south of Guildford. The sports centre provides sports facilities for the renowned Charterhouse School and for a private health & fitness club, the Charterhouse Club. We have the use of the fencing studio, which boasts air conditioning, a wooden sprung-floor and three permanently marked fencing pistes. Changing rooms, showers and a café are also provided within the sports centre and can be used by fencers and parents. There is free car parking available.

Location
Duke's Drive, Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2RS
For map click here

Adult sessions and coaching run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm every Wednesday night (see Calendar for holiday periods)

Directions

From M25 (~18 miles)

• Leave the M25 at Junction 10 (A3 to Guildford).
• Follow the A3 past Guildford until you reach the Godalming (B3000) exit.
• At the roundabout, take the second exit (straight ahead) for Charterhouse and Farnham (A31).
• At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto Priorsfield Road.
• Follow signs for Charterhouse and Hurtmore.
• Follow Priorsfield Road for approx. 1 ½ miles until you reach Charterhouse.
• Take the first entrance into Charterhouse (Queens Drive) and take the first right into Dukes Drive.

Beginners

There are no fixed dates or additional fees for beginner’s courses, so feel free to turn up at any of our club meetings.

If you are a beginner, then you normally need only bring :

• sports shoes or gym trainers (with non-marking soles)
• loose-fitting jogging trousers
• T-shirt

If you wear XL size clothes, then we would be grateful if you could let us know in advance so that we can ensure that we have equipment available to fit.

Experienced/Competition Fencers

We welcome experienced fencers at all levels, from intermediates to veterans. Visiting fencers from other clubs are also most welcome, especially those on the competition circuit (see Membership section for cost). Our fencers compete in Open Competitions in the UK and abroad, so why not come along for some extra practice/friendly rivalry?


We have enough electric scoring boxes, ground wires & spools to set up and run 3 fencing pistes.

Coaching

Our Coach, Mick Johnson, has been fencing for 35 years and has been County champion in all three weapons. He has gained the Diploma of the British Academy of Fencing (BAF) for Épée coaching. This is the highest professional qualification in the United Kingdom and has earned him the title of Maitre d'Escrime. This Diploma entitles him to compete at Épée in the World Professional Championships held every four years. He also holds the BAF Advanced Coach qualification at Foil, the British Fencing Association (BFA) Regional Coach qualification for Foil and Épée and a BFA County Coach qualification for Sabre. Under his tutelage, students quickly notice improvements in their technical fencing as well as their speed and accuracy.

Some of our Fencers

Amongst our members is Diane who is a Veteran fencer at Foil and Épée. Diane has been associated with fencing for many years and is a former Ladies Captain of Surrey and the South East. At one time, she competed in many Open Competitions throughout the country and also in Europe at Calais, Paris, Noordwyk, and Brussels. Diane has also served on many committees at national level and is the current South East Region’s secretary. In 2001, Diane earned an I O C Diploma as a volunteer in the development of sport. Last year, Diane competed in the Veteran’s European Championships at St Fallan, Switzerland in May. She was awarded a Silver Medal at Foil Category IV at the 2007 Commonwealth Veteran Fencing Championships at Toronto, Canada in July.

Hector and Harry are both at school in Surrey and have been fencing for about 10years. They trained for 3 years with Bakhyt Abdikolov at the CAAFC in Chicago. They are currently training with Mick Johnson and have made a lot of progress under his instruction. Hector and Harry compete in Men’s Open competitions throughout Britain as well as competing in their own age groups. Hector came 7th and Harry came 15th at the British Youth Championships. Hector came 3rd and Harry came 7th at the Public Schools competition. Hector and Harry are the current Under 18 and Under 16 Surrey Champions at foil (SCFU). Hector is also the fencing captain of Charterhouse School.

Alan has been fencing for 3 years and has just started on the Open Competition circuit. He fences for fun, to keep fit and as a way to de-stress from a hectic work life.