Loughton Fencing Club

Aged 74, Aubrey has been sword fencing for more than 30 years. He began because he was longing to fence and decided to have a go. He never stopped after that first session. His favourite weapon is the epee and his preferred grip is French. Aubrey likes the fact that sword fencing is a truly individual sport.

Apart from sword fencing, he plays badminton, tennis and short mat bowls. He likes making things in wood or metal. Aubrey fences with his computer - and wins! He believes himself to be temperamentally an owl who enjoys quizzes, barn dances, trip to Suffolk and to Germany and generally enjoying life.

Alan Hall, Honorary Chairman.

Profile of Alan Hall, Honorary Chairman.

Alan is aged "under 60" and has been sword fencing for 30 years. He began because he has some Eastern European blood running through his veins and he believed that, as the Eastern Europeans are superb sword fencers, he might have inherited some of their skill. He says that unfortunately, his skill has yet to materialise………

Alan's favourite weapon is the epee, with a pistol grip. He likes sword fencing because it is a combat sport with courtesy.

Apart from sword fencing, Alan makes dolls houses, he enjoys not watching mindless television programmes, he likes horseracing, cycling and pubs - as well as walking the dog to the pub.

Alan is thought to be patient but restless, he has a dry sense of humour and gains satisfaction from mending things.

Jenny Horrigan, Honorary Secretary.

Profile of Jenny Horrigan,

Honorary Secretary

Laurent Harper, Coach.

Profile of Laurent Harper, Coach.

Aged 37, Laurent is a veteran of countless sword fencing engagements, having been the British men's foil champion twice and a silver medallist in the Commonwealth tournament. It took years of dedication and application before Laurent could achieve his standing in the sword fencing community.

He was influenced whilst growing up by his elder brother, Pierre, who was himself a fencing champion. Laurent has coached the British junior foil team and is currently the fencing coach at Harrow School. He is encouraging his two young sons to fence, but not at the expense of their education.

Laurent is known for his easy going temperament and his liking for a laugh and a good time. He has a keen sense of humour and a wealth of earthy experience of the world of top level sword fencing - ask him to tell you about sword fencing 20 years ago compared to today.

Tom Exeter, Coach.

Profile of Tom Exeter, Coach.

Tom is 19 and has been sword fencing for 12 years. His father was a serious sword fencer and introduced Tom to the activity. His favourite weapon is the foil with a pistol grip - always. He enjoys the competition, the feeling of exhilaration when a bout is won and the sense of achievement in sword fencing. He also derives great pleasure from passing on his knowledge to juniors, especially as there are so many spills and thrills, laughter fun and games with sword fencing.

Tom's interests include beer, women, a wide range of music, films, travel, great nights out, surfing on the cool water when the beach is hot, also he admires the iconic James Dean - was he a sword fencer?

Tom is said to be organised and active, but is prepared to sleep all day and party all night. How about sleep all day and fence all night?

The members of Loughton Fencing Club.

The youngest sword fencer is aged 7, the eldest is a sprightly 74. There are fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, cousins, friends, single people, married people, men and women, boys and girls, various races, various religions, as all barriers are crossed, so there are no barriers to sword fencing with us. We welcome all comers.