Pointing the way ahead

Outfit thrust into the spotlight

Running up and down stairs in a Glasgow train station doesn’t sound like the beginning of a lifetime’s involvement in fencing but that’s how it started for George Smith.

Back in the mid 1960s, George worked in Glasgow and enjoyed going to concerts but hurrying up the steps for the train at Buchanan Street left him breathless.

He and his friend decided they needed to get fit and took up badminton but soon realised it wasn’t for them.

“Eventually we began fencing at a night class in Stirling with a PT instructor from Stirling Castle and although my mate soon gave up, I stuck at it,” said George, who celebrates his 80th birthday in July.

“I took over the coaching after a while because people were getting fed up getting the same lessons every week and although I was pretty poor, I improved.”

With no club nearby, Stirling Fencing Club was founded in November 1967 when a group of George’s night class decided to form a club. Over the years many of its members have represented Scotland or served in various administrative capacities from Central Section and Scottish committee members through match secretary, ladies’ foil captain, team manager, schools grades’ registrar to treasurer and President of Scottish Fencing and President of Commonwealth Fencing.

Along with George, two of the original members have had a large influence in fencing. George has coached at Stirling University and various schools throughout Central Section for 50 years. Similarly Joan Riddell was club secretary until 1987 when she moved to St Andrews where she coached at St Andrews University, St Leonards School and Madras College.

And Neil Melville was involved with the inception of the Schools Grades system in 1971 and was its registrar until 1990, then became editor of The Point, the journal of Scottish fencing. Like George he coached many pupils who went on to represent Scotland.

“The club first met in Maitland Hall, Whins of Milton, moved to Riverside Primary School then transferred to Beechwood Scout Hall where it is still based,” said George, who still coaches.

“Throughout the years many people have fenced at the club for different reasons - fitness, honing competitive skills, Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Learning to fence takes a long time and you’re always learning something new.

“When I coached in schools I found out that some people took up fencing because they weren’t any good at other sports. It’s not like football or golf where you can be a natural - at fencing you have to keep practising. You can be in a team but it’s a one-to-one situation you will find yourself in.”

The club - the oldest open club in Scotland - meets in Beechwood Scout Hall on Thursdays from 8pm. Over the years members have been aged from 12 to over 80 and currently three over 70s still join in.

If you would like more information about Stirling Fencing Club or would like to have a go, contact Neil Melville at melvillefence:talktalk.net.