Fencing club needs new home to train beginners

A fencing club in Kent has said it will not be able to train new members unless it can find a new venue where it will also need to store beginners' equipment.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club (RTWFC) has been based at the Army Reserve centre in the town for 15 years but must leave by September, its chairman explained.

Martin Briggs, said the club had a strong youth squad with many competing at international level but it would not be able to develop the next generation of fencers unless a suitable venue was found.

"We can continue with established members as they can take their kit home after a session but we need somewhere to store equipment for beginners," he said.

Founded by the late three-time Olympian Steven Paul in 2005, RTWFC offers classes on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Fencing equipment, which includes a mask, glove, chest protector, shirt and blade and costs about £300, is currently stored at the club's current home.

Mr Briggs said: "We have the British under 17 champion here in Tunbridge Wells but if we can't store the entry level equipment, the kids won't try it out."

The club is searching for a venue to accommodate eight fencing areas, known as pistes, which cover the equivalent of three badminton courts or one basketball court.

The ideal storage area is around 6.5 sq ft (two sq m).

Mr Briggs said the club could "bring racking and do whatever needs to be done to make the storage safe and accessible".

The fencers are keen to relocate to a school hall or private venue within the local area or they will have to go to Lewes or Eastbourne to pursue their sport.

"We're also willing to offer lessons to groups as part of the arrangement. It could help us find the next national champion," he said.

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