The Club Adult, Senior, Cadet and Junior Sections

The Club operates Adult, Senior, Cadet and Junior sections which run throughout the year in four terms. The Adult, Senior and Cadet section operates on Thursday nights and is for those aged 14 to 15, 16 to 17 and 18 to 65 plus, while the Junior section is on Monday nights and is for those 7 to 13. For all enquiries on the Club please use our contact form below or email royalgreenwichfencingclub@btinternet.com.  

Contact Form

Club Members Photo Gallery

The weapons taught and fought at the club are:

The Foil, in the classic French style of the mid twentieth century and using the traditional French grip. This weapon uses the characteristics of the thrust and finger play with the convention of priority. Foil is the practice weapon for the Small Sword and the first fencing weapon.

The Epee, in the modern Hungarian style and using the classic French grip. it uses the characteristics of the thrust and finger play but not the convention of priority. Epee is the practice weapon for the épée du combat, the preferred duelling weapon, and the second fencing weapon.

The Sabre, in the modern Hungarian style, from the mid twentieth century. Using the characteristics of the cut and to a lesser degree the thrust. It also uses the convention of priority. Sabre is the practice weapon for the military Sabre and the third fencing weapon.

Three weapon coach; Ian Lightbown

The Coach

Royal Greenwich’s senior coach, Ian Lightbown, has been teaching since 1984, coaching since 1988, and has attended and coached at a number of clubs since then.

In the mid-nineties he studied French foil at Ramsden fencing club under the Kent coach John McMahon, and the work of the classic French foil coach Roger Crosnier. During this time he also studied Hungarian epee under the Kent coach Peter Huggins, also at Ramsden, and has been influenced by the epee coach Terry Kingston. Between 1995 and 1998 he studied Hungarian sabre at the University of London Union fencing club, under the Hungarian Master and GB Olympic sabre coach Peter Frohlich, who coached the sabre finalist James Williams at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Ian has coached at a number of venues in London, Kent and Surrey, for clubs, schools, colleges and universities, as well as taster sessions for youth and scout groups, schools and boroughs. He has taught epee to members of the Kent Modern Pentathlon Team and Pentathlon GB Team, notably coaching Jack Legon on to a place on the Pentathlon GB Epee Team for international competition.

Junior Modern Pentathlon Team GB
Member Jack Legon RGFC 2003/4

The Adult, Senior and Cadet Section (for those aged 14 to 15, 16 to 17 and 18 to 65 plus)

The Cadet and Senior section is for anyone over 13 who currently fences, has fenced, or wants to learn to fence, with the Adult section being for those 18 and over who similarly fence, have fenced or want to learn. Current fencers can just join in, and past fencers can refresh their skills and ease back into the sport. Those wishing to start fencing can come and learn at their own pace, without any pressure and importantly have fun while doing so!

The Cadet, Senior and Adult section offers fencers and beginners the opportunity to fence with the French Foil, Sabre and French Epee. Most of the members fence with two or three weapons, and everyone can progress to a new weapon if they wish to do so. All the beginners are provided with the entire minimum fencing safety equipment required to learn with. When they can fence they also have the use of the latest regulation equipment for the electric Foil, Sabre and Epee. Initially, beginners who have just completed a course and join the applicable section as fencing term member can borrow equipment for their first term as a fencer for free. After this they can hire equipment from the Club to use while they buy their own, but we do expect all adult members to purchase all of their own equipment within a year of joining. While we expect members to purchase all of their own equipment, we can supply all the items necessary for them to start training and fighting with straight away.

The classes for cadet, senior and adult fencers are held on Thursday evenings, between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, in room 7 at Shrewsbury House. Directions to the venue can be found on our Location page  Location Here

Each term runs over ten weeks, not including weeks with bank holidays in. The cost of the Fencing Term is £80.00 for adults 18-65+, and £70.00 for cadets 14-15 and seniors 16-17, with an early booking discount available for both. The Beginners Taster Sessions are £30.00, with the Beginners Fencing Course £90.00 for adults 18-65+, and £80.00 for cadets 14-15 and seniors 16-17. For our terms, and courses we offer concession discounts. You can enquire about our next term, taster or course, make a booking or find out about payment options by emailing the above email address. Please note that attendance of the club is by prior arrangement only so course and term places must be booked in advance.

Senior & Adult Term Start Dates for 2026

• Term One starts Thursday 19th February 2026
• Term Two starts Thursday 14th May 2026
• Term Three starts Thursday 10th September 2026
• Term Four starts Thursday 19th November 2026
• Term One starts Thursday 25th February 2027
• Term Two starts Thursday 20th May 2027

The Juniors Section (for those aged 7 to 13)

The Juniors section is for any child who currently fences, has fenced, or wants to learn to fence. Current fencers can just join in, and past fencers can refresh their skills and ease back into the sport. Those wishing to start fencing can come and learn at their own pace, without any pressure and importantly have fun while doing so!

The primary weapons used in the Juniors Section are the Foil and the Sabre. There is also the chance of trying out the Epee as well. The juniors are provided with the entire basic, minimum fencing safety equipment. When they can fence they have the use of the corresponding electric equipment for the electric Sabre, Foil and Epee.

The classes for junior fencers are held on Monday evenings, between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, in room 7 at Shrewsbury House. Directions to the venue can be found on our Location page  Location Here

Each term runs over ten weeks, not including bank holidays. The cost of the Junior Fencing Term is £60.00, with an early booking discount and second sibling discount available. The Junior Beginners Course is £70.00, with an early booking discount and second sibling discount available. You can enquire about our next term or course, book a course or find out about payment options by emailing the above email address. Please note that attendance of the club is by prior arrangement only so course and term places must be booked in advance.

Junior Term Start Dates for 2026

• Term One starts Monday 16th February 2026
• Term Two starts Monday 11th May 2026
• Term Three starts Monday 7th September 2026
• Term Four starts Monday 16th November 2026
• Term One starts Monday 22nd February 2027
• Term Two starts Monday 17th May 2027

As the Club operates a waiting list for membership, prospective members are asked to either use our contact form or email below, prior to their attendance, so that we can ensure that we have places available.

Contact Form 

royalgreenwichfencingclub@btinternet.com.

Please be aware that attendance at the Club is by prior arrangement only.