logo
London Fencing Club
March/April 2008 Newsletter, No 32
 Developments at CFBS • Easter Schedule  •  The City Fencing Club training • Fees and things • Info for the new members


Dear All,

Here is your bi-monthly club newsletter with updates, announcements and what ever else!  Contributions are always welcome. Reports from the competitions, photographs from the trips, small adds and even extracts from your own blog/diary: who would not be curious to find out more about fencers without masks!

CFBS developmentsDevelopments at Central Foundation Boys' School


The new showers, toilets and the changing rooms at the school's Gymnasium must be most relevant to our members attending the sessions at that venue. The new facilities are all ready and the delay with the use of the showers is only due to some fire alarms issue.   (Apparently they're too sensitive at the moment and kick in if the water is switched on!). The entrance to the premises have also changed: it's now from Cowper St through the school building.

You might be interested to find out that all that is a part of a major project of  the school's redevelopment. It'll also include a new skyscraper which is tipped to become “the residential equivalent of the Gherkin”.  Tudorvale, the developer, is creating 192 apartments. They will be a mixture of glamorous high-rise homes as well as loft-style flats in converted classroom blocks. Apartments will have top interior design, fantastic views and sell from £350,000 to well over £1 million.

Easter

Easter Schedule


May I ask the members to put in their diaries that there won't be the free play session on Saturday 22 March due to Finsbury Leisure centre being closed and no fencing will take place on Easter Monday, 24 March at any of the venues.

The City Fencing club training

The City Fencing club is currently without a good venue and has asked to hold their training sessions at our facilities. We're currently working out the details of this co-opertation which should be mutually beneficial to both clubs. The plan is that members of London Fencing club will be able to participate in training with the City club which is more competitively oriented, particularly in sabre.


Fees and things

May I remind some members attending Saturday sessions that they costs extra £10 added to the monthly fee for the evening classes (higher rate if you attend only Saturdays). It applies also to those who take part in poules on Saturdays. Please upgrade your subscription if you intend to attend Saturday sessions or take part in poules - get in touch if in doubt!

The private lessons rates which haven't changed for the last 4 years will go up by £1 (for the members or by £3 for non-members) per 20 min lesson reflecting the inflation... This will happen by the end of the month - you can still book your lessons or buy credits at the cheaper rate - but hurry up!


Some info for the recent beginners


The club has grown significantly in the last few months. Here are some answers to the typical FAQs from the new comers.

Do I need private lessons?
Private lessons can be extremely beneficial to your progress as a fencer! Whether you compete or not, this is your chance to develop your individual tactics, 'golden strokes' and correct the bad habits! Try to book at least 20-40 min of private lessons a month if you use fencing recreationally and more if you compete. You can book the lessons via the website: http://www.londonfencingclub.co.uk/private_lessons.php on pay-as-you-go basis. 

own kitThe members' rate for individual lessons is currently £45 p/h (they can be 20, 40 or 60 min). As mentioned above this will go up to £48 p/h by April. There are cheaper rates if you set up a pre-paid lessons account.

We also offer the dedicated Individual Lessons plan. The deal is simple: add £32 per month to your subscription and receive a monthly 1 hour individual tuition allowance (this makes it 33% cheaper than the usual members' rate). If in any particular month you cannot use the whole allowance, it is rolled over to the next month!

How many times a week to train?
We recommend attending the fencing sessions at least 2-3 times a week - this way your skills will build up much faster and you won't feel that after a week of inactivity you forgot what you've done on the previous lesson! Two evening classes + Saturdays free play is probably the best combination which will give you a good balance of learning and practice. This plan is only £55 per month (£35 + £10 + £10) and we'll also give you a free complimentary private lesson every month!

Should I get my own kit?
Treat yourself to a set of good fencing gear! Having your own fencing kit is more comfortable, safe and hygienic than the beginners' range you use at the club - with it you'll enjoy fencing more! It will also allow you to fence when ever you feel like it: at home with friends, visiting other venues or even other countries! It will be necessary if you decide to fence using the electric scoring at the club or enter a competition (yes, one day it might happen!). We have a dedicated page on the website which will give all necessary information about what items you might want to buy - and where it can be done: http://www.londonfencingclub.co.uk/equipment/

Happy Easter!

 Tim Gadaski
newsletter editor

timg@londonfencingclub.co.uk

flaming heart