Sarnia Sword Club

The Sarnia Sword Club was officially formed on Thursday April 7th 1969. The first Club Chairman was Dorothy Hamon (now Nash), the Club Secretary was David Redhead, the Treasurer was Pat Hutchins and the Club Coach was Val Redhead.

The subscription fees were: Adults 10/- (ten shillings = 50p) and Juniors 5/- (five shillings = 25p)

Fencing was originally organized as a further education class at La Couperderie. In 1976 the venue was moved to the newly opened Beau Sejour Leisure Centre

The Sarnia Sword Club has made visits to Jersey, France, Holland and England and many teams have come here to fence.

Many demonstrations have been given at The Viaer Marche, (local annual festival) and The North Show, amongst other venues.

The Sarnia Sword Club wrote and staged a costume drama called 'The Fable of the Brooch' at Castle Cornet on the Queens Birthday in 1988, and a more recent dramatic success was 'Pirates Ahoy' staged at the Viaer Marche and at The North Regatta in 1996.

The Sarnia Sword Club is Guernsey's only fencing club. Fencing in all three weapons (Foil, Epee & Sabre) It consists of 80 active members and regularly takes part in club fencing tournaments in the UK and Europe.
The club receives return visits from other clubs including The Royal Navy fencing team, The Jersey fencing teams and The Commonwealth Veteran fencers. The club also receives coaching weekends from visiting coaches, Referee certification tests from British Fencing Association Officials and holds Club leader courses.

Within the Island there are a number of events including the leagues which are held on a monthly basis for members of the club, consisting of a separate league event for each weapon and a veterans league. Other events include, The Inter schools competition, The Island Schools Championship, The mixed ability team competition, The Island Championship and The Channel Island Section Championship.

The Club has a junior section for the 10 to 14 age group called The Musketeers (see Musketeer section) who also have their own league events and competitions.

In conclusion, The Sarnia Sword Club is a thriving and committed fencing club with a wealth of knowledge to teach and share in a light-hearted atmosphere conducive to the friendly rivalry required In the noble sport of fencing.