EDITORIAL
Don’t you just hate it when it happens? You’re the Editor of a highly successful, extremely popular, articulate, humorous and incredibly witty magazine. You pour your blood, sweat, tears and some other things that we really shouldn’t discuss in front of the children into the next edition.
You’re almost ready to go to print when, out of the blue, BANG, your hard drive on your computer dies on you, wiping out all the work you’ve just done.Much wailing, screaming, gnashing of teeth and pulling out of hair (see, I DO have an excuse!!) ensues… You then spend a frantic three days discovering that out of the things that you DID have the foresight to make backup copies of, the magazine isn’t one of them! So it’s then a mad hunt through the thousands (ok, slight exaggeration, make that several) floppy disks littering your computer desk in the hope that at least SOMETHING that was sent to you has survived.THIS is that something!
I’ve recovered everything that was sent through … unfortunately, as seems to be the case in most of these issues, that something is not very much. My thanks go to Ashley and Mark Gumley for their continued contributions. To quote the Air Cdre at the recent Command Championships, “publicity is very important so you need to get something out there” … so here it is… the something that survived!
DATES FOR THE DIARY
The following are competitions, either Service or Civilian, for which travel authority has been granted. All personnel wishing to participate in any event are to inform the Match Sec, Sgt Mark Gumley, prior to the competition on 95721 x7482.
Should the Match Sec not be informed, then personnel are technically not on duty and will not be covered by the RAF should anything go awry, nor can they claim duty mileage. Where possible, notification should be given to
the Match Sec at least 2 weeks prior to the event. On completion of the event results are to be passed to the Match Sec for onward notification to the Sports Board.
Surrey Challenge Epsom Apr TBC
Winton Cup Loughborough 12 Apr
Edinburgh Open Edinburgh 3 May
RAF Spring Series (Seniors) RAF Cosford 10-11 May
York Open York 24 May
Met Police Cup Hendon 8 Jun
Preparation Match for
Inter Services Squad RAF Cosford 14,15 Jun
Inter Services Team and Individual Aldershot 23-27 Jun
British National Championships RAF Cosford 12,13 Jul
Norfolk Open Norwich 19 Jul
Duel on the Beach Southsea TBC 23-24 Aug
1 Hit Epee/ RAF Cosford/ Shropshire Open Telford 27-28 Sep
Spalding Challenge TBD TBD
Quadrangular Competition TBD TBD
Quadrangular Competition TBD TBD
NEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND
Once again it’s time for all those snippets that Ashley, roving reporter and dirt-digger extraordinaire has managed to uncover for your delight and delectation. Long may she continue to dish the dirt on you lot out there!!
RECENT CHANGES OF ADDRESS
The Vice Chairman/Vice Captain and the Treasurer of RAF Fencing have both recently changed addresses. Their new contact details are on the Contacts page.
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
(THAT’S 1 STAR OR SIR TO YOU AND ME)
The Royal Air Force Fencing Union would like to congratulate Nick Kurth, the President of RAFFU, on his recent promotion to the rank of Air Commodore. Air Cdre Kurth's new contact details are on the Contacts page.
CONGRATULATIONS
On behalf of the RAF Fencing Union, congratulations to Mark and Mandy on the birth of little Aaron; thank goodness he got his mother’s looks!!! – Ed. PS – Just kidding Mark!!!
WHERE AM I?
Now that’s what I thought when my phone bleeped at 0612hrs on Tuesday, 24 December 2002. I was on Admin Call for the Grant and leapt into action at the sound. Normally I would be cursing 
at a message at this time of the morning but this was to be a huge exception. It was the Editor of this wondrous publication with the following news: Rose McNulty, Born at 0230 hrs on 24 December 2002, Weighing in at 7lb 7oz
On behalf of the Royal Air Force Fencing Union I would like to Congratulate Phil and Tracey on the arrival of Phil’s best result this year!
ONCE UPON A TIME
This is how all fairy tales with a beautiful Princess and a handsome Prince should start and this story will be no exception.
Once Upon a Time in a Land far away (everywhere is a long way from Cornwall)
Stephanie Louise Keenan married Ian Stuart Shaw
In a beautiful and very moving ceremony at:
The Atholl Palace, Pitlochry, Scotland
On
Saturday 23 November 2002
At 3pm (that’s 1500 hrs for those in the Military)
As ever, Stephanie looked beautiful and the groom scrubbed up rather well too considering that he is a Regiment Officer. After getting used to being North of the border, the funny language and men in skirts it was a pleasure to be part of such a lovely event. Ian Spencer would have been proud of the Bride; the reception and evening entertainment was far more punishing and energetic than one of his bizarre warm up ideas and training sessions. Thanks to Steph and Ian I am now fully conversant with Strip (or is it Split) the Willow, the Gay Gordon and the St Bernard Waltz (I needed the St Bernard for it’s Brandy after that lot). 
On a more serious note I would like, on behalf of the Royal Air Force Fencing Union to Congratulate Mr and Mrs Shaw on their recent marriage and wish them a ‘Very Happy Ever After’
To make things easier for us very slow fencers, Steph will remain as Flt Lt Keenan for work purposes and save Mrs Shaw for her weekend and off duty time. Finally can anyone help me out with a suitable caption for this photograph (I have a bottle of something fizzy for the winner)?
Fizzy??? You’re going to buy the winner a bottle of pop?? MOST generous I say!!! - Ed
WANTED: RAF FENCERS
I’m sure that you have heard it 100 times before and I’m sure that the Match Secretary and the RAFFU Coach won’t mind me stealing their thunder but Fencing on the Civilian Circuit really does make a difference. Only by fencing new people and people of a higher standard can we improve, become match fit and supplement the RAF Calendar of fencing and training opportunities.
The following is a small selection that has been extracted from the British Fencing Competition Calendar for 2003. I would like all RAF Fencers (especially squad members) to seriously think about attending as many of them as possible. Editors Note: Whilst some of the competitions listed here have passed, they run EVERY year at roughly the same times, so add them to your diary!!
As an incentive consider the following:
1. If you call Mark Gumley and tell him that you will be attending, the RAF Sports Board will provide travel authority for your RAF Form 1771 (for selected competitions).
2. The selection committee will seriously consider you for the Inter Service Team Selection or for inclusion in a single or Combined Service overseas fencing tour.
3. For every competition that you enter, both Service and Civilian, you will earn points towards the John Warburn Memorial Trophy. It would be great to receive more than 3 entries for this lovely piece of silverware (Thanks Phil, Gary and Mark).
4. The recipients of the Williams Rose Bowl and Carhill-Tindall-Worsley Brassard for the most promising Male and Female fencers of the year are not decided on a whim or RAF results alone.
11 Jan 03 Scottish Open Contact: Alan Melville Tel: 01786 463399
18 Jan 03 Aldershot Open Contact: Chris Roberts Tel: 01980 674119
1 Feb 03 Slough Open Contact: Sandra Maxwell Tel: 01628 525441
22 Feb 03 Merseyside Open Contact: Steve Evison Tel: 0151 5217657
22 Feb 03 Hampshire Open Contact: Carl Morris Tel: 02380 271206
1 Mar 03 Clara Rayner Contact: Alan Logan Nottingham Open Tel: 0115 8753525
5 Apr 03 Glasgow Open Contact: G De Sainte Croix Tel: 01324 717477
12 Apr 03 Winton Cup Combined Services by Selection
19 Apr 03 Birmingham International Contact: Mike Whitehouse Tel: 0121 4433136
3 May 03 Edinburgh Open Contact: Duncan Patterson Tel: 01506 826770
17 May 03 Isle of Wight Open Contact: Louise Metcalfe Tel: 01983 755339
24 May 03 York Open Contact: Ymit Sina Tel: 01132 688825
31 May 03 Inverclyde Open Contact: David Rollo Tel: 01415 831795
12 Jul 03 National Championships
19 Jul 03 Norfolk Open Contact: Fraser Ritchie Tel: 01362 696442
Another observation while I’m on the subject. If you are a senior or Squad fencer why not make it your business to mentor or escort one of the new or more junior fencers to their first open competition to show them the ropes. Just a thought….
CSFA TOUR TO CANADA
During the period 30 Oct 02 – 5 Nov 02 the RAF Fencing Union was asked to provide 4 fencers for the CSFA Tour to an invitational tournament at the Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario. This was to be a 6-weapon tournament with over 200 teams entered. With such a large entry at least 20 teams would compete in each weapon. Generally invitations had been sent to the lead club from each Canadian State and to premier Military and Military Academy Teams. This standard of competition would certainly expose our fencers to the rigors of an International Competition with far stricter enforcement of equipment testing and penalties.
On 30 Oct 02 Andy Cooke, Mark Gumley, Debbie MacDonald and Lisa Taylor joined their RN and Army team mates at Heathrow Airport ready for a BA flight to Toronto. Thank you to Lisa for joining the team at such short notice when Susie Cowden was unable to attend due to Op Fresco commitments. To recover from the Jet Lag the team was given the first 36 hours in Toronto to sleep or sightsee. The majority of the group decided on a trip to Niagara Falls. Once recovered it was only a 2 hour drive to reach Kingston.
Fencing started in earnest on Saturday 2 Nov 02 with Men’s Foil and Epee and Women’s Epee. The competition concluded on Sunday with Women’s Foil and both Men’s and Women’s Sabre
Whenever possible a second team was entered to maximize fencing opportunities for team members. A brief summary of. the teams and results is as follows:
Weapon |
Team |
Result |
Result Last Year |
|
Mens Foil |
Mark Needham,
|
9th |
14th |
|
Mens Epee |
Mark Barton,
|
8th |
10th |
|
Mens Sabre A |
Mark Barton,
|
6th |
11th |
|
Mens Sabre B |
Chris Roberts,
|
13th |
- |
|
Womens Foil |
Maggie Myers,
|
9th |
- |
|
Womens Epee A |
Maggie Myers,
|
5th |
6th |
|
Womens Epee B |
Liz McLellan,
|
10th |
- |
|
Womens Sabre |
Sasha Brooks,
|
4th |
2nd |
Overall Team Placing – 3rd (ahead of both the American and Canadian Military Teams)
The Match was a great success and enabled the Combined Services Squad to gain a valuable insight into fencing at an international level. As the improved results show, at no time was the team out of its depth although there were many world ranked fencers and stronger teams present.
It is always pleasing to hear how well received our team and its members have been. We have been noted for our courteous and helpful manner and for our team spirit in support of each other and the underdogs. It is therefore no surprise that we have already been invited to attend again in 2003. Would you like to be selected? On a final note, it’s bad news when the only postcard you receive from the tour is from the RN Team Members – Thanks Guys!
A LONG VISIT TO EASTERN EUROPE
By Doug Renton Cooper.
At the beginning of February 2001, I was approached by the company that I was working for, to see if I was interested in redundancy and possible early retirement. This would be an enhanced package and a pension taken early with no penalties. As I had been working 12-hour shifts, days and nights, and having reached the ripe old age of 61 years the offer was too good to miss. After discussion with my other half we decided that this was definitely the way to go. The offer was duly accepted, and I ceased my employment with Goodyear GB at the end of February 2001.
There was a very hectic March and April. How did I ever find time to go to work? One of our sons asked me if I could help him out. When questions were duly asked and answered, it appears that there was a problem with the operation of the Quality System at a factory in Hungary. The factory in question makes gas meters for the domestic and industrial markets.
In my younger days I remembered that Hungary was a very good fencing nation, especially sabre.
I traveled to the factory in May 2001 to see the factory and the problems first hand. The factory is at a city called Nagykanizsa. Don’t try to say it, it took me weeks to pronounce it properly. After traveling from 03.00 hrs. in the morning, two flights and a 230-km drive, we duly arrived at the factory at 16.30 in the afternoon. Work for the day was finished, so the MD. told us that we had been invited to a barbecue with his friend who had a house overlooking Lake Balaton. After much Hungarian food, wine, beer and parlinka, we ended the day at about 23.00 and I was absolutely cream crackered.
Needless to say I accepted the job, the contract being for one year. My son fibbed a bit when he said, “Every one speaks English”. When in fact there are very few English speakers in this part of Hungary.To learn about gas meters and how they work, I had to spend three weeks at my son’s factory at Petersdorf near Berlin. He is the M.D. there. He has overall responsibility for three factories. One at Gross.Gerau near Frankfurt AM. The one at Petersdorf and the Hungarian factory.
It is a very difficult position when one of your sons becomes your boss. A certain line has to be drawn to separate family from work.
My wife Jean has been completely supportive in all this. We drove from the U.K. to Berlin and stayed at our son’s apartment at a place called Bad Sarrow for the three weeks that I was at the Petersdorf factory. On completion of this training period, we then drove down to Hungary, via Dresden, The Czech republic, Prague and Slovakia. Quite a memorable journey. My wife asked, when we went into Slovakia what all the ladies were doing, standing at the side of the road, waving at all the passing drivers. When I explained that these were ” Ladies of the night”, I was promptly told to stop grinning as they might think that I was going to stop.
We duly arrived at the factory, and were shown the apartment that was ours for the next year. As soon as I was able, the language being quite a barrier, I found out about the local fencing club. They meet Monday to Friday each evening for about one hour. I do not go every night, I find that once or twice a week is quite enough.
We drive the 1250 miles home every seven weeks to have some time to catch up on mail and all the other things that have to be attended to. Jean does not return every time as she has her own small business to
attend to.
On Sunday 3rd.March 2002 the World championship for ladies team Sabre event took place at one of the local schools. There were teams from the U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Croatia, Great Britain, and of course Hungary. The GB team did not do too well, as some of the other teams were very strong.
My one-year will finish at the end of May 2002. so I will be back in the U.K. to take part in the One hit epee tournament at Cosford this year, so I should see you all then.
From
Doug Renton Cooper
(Address supplied)
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
With effect from 14 May 03, Ashley Newing, Captain RAFFU will be out of the Office. Luckily she hasn't been deployed but she will be out of work for approximately 8 to 10 weeks. If you need anything or have any Fencing queries she can still be contacted via her usual contact details on the Contacts page (she'll be glad of the contact I assure you).
I know that Op Fresco has had a dramatic effect on RAF Fencing, with the repeated postponement of the Juniors (followed by their ultimate cancellation). This cancellation has had a knock on effect, with the AGM from last year having just been held at Cosford in March of this year. But RAF Fencing IS still going.
We recently had the Command Championships; unfortunately the results of those that I had stored on my computer have been fried! Fortunately the Command Secs were both given hard copies of the results of each weapons so at least when they produce their final reports I SHOULD have something for the next edition of the magazine!
As stated above, the AGM was held over the weekend of the Commands, and, as always, two trophies were awarded.
The Trant Trophy, awarded to the fencer who has done the most to promote RAF Fencing over the last year was awarded to Flt Lt James Griffiths. James set up the highly successful Benson Fencing Club, which has gone from strength to strength over the last year. Indeed, the Club is so well run that James, whilst in the lead in the STC Master-at-Arms race had to withdraw to return to Benson to host a civilian tournament!
The other trophy awarded was the John Warburn Memorial Trophy. The trophy is presented annually to the fencer who gains the most points from their participation and progression in any military or civilian fencing competition. Not only does the award recognise participation in a wide range of competitions, it also provides the RAFFU Selection Committee with an indication of the fencers who are regularly competing at open events and the standard that they are reaching. I’m EXTREMELY happy to say that my concerted effort to do as many competitions as possible before the birth of lil Rose paid off as I was awarded the trophy!!
AND FINALLY FINALLY…
I am SINCERELY indebted to Ashley Newing for providing 95% of the input to this edition! As stated in the last issue, I am not going to be out and about on the civvy circuit much this year, with the new baby et all, so I’m relying on YOU to keep sending stuff in. This is YOUR magazine, and as such, needs YOUR input. Remember, REPRISE is seen not just by the regular fencers, but is issued to every single P Ed Flt in the RAF: who knows, if you send in an article someone out there might just get excited enough about fencing to give it a go, and at the end of the day, we need them!!!