Fencing is physical, but also requires mental dexterity

I75, lives in Tunbridge Wells and started fencing lessons at the

beginning of the year

began fencing in January this year with my son-in-law Jason, who is also a very good friend of mine. He asked me if I fancied learning how to fence with him and I thought, “Why not?” I like to keep active.

We go for an hour every Monday evening with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club. There’s people of all ages, including teenagers, midlifers and septuagenarians like me. It’s good fun learning new skills together. One of the assistant coaches is in his 90s and is very fit and agile. Jason and I were both complete novices. Fencing is partly a physical workout, but duelling against an opponent and employing the moves and rules we’ve been learning also requires mental dexterity. You have to try to deceive your opponent in order to score a strike. I also help to run the Royal Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir, so it’s a nice contrast to that.

I retired 14 years ago having worked in the Department for Business. I think it’s important to try different things and have new experiences outside of your everyday routine, no matter how old you are, especially now there are no limitations on group activities.

Jason is 57, and he and I have a good laugh together while we’re fencing. Now that we’ve attended seven or eight classes, we’re getting steadily better at it. I enjoy the warm-ups and when you get into it it’s quite an explosive sport, because it’s all to do with lightning-fast moves. Even a short three-minute bout can be exhausting.