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A Bit of Fencing History Recently, searching through old photographs, I came across this 1960's group photograph. We were participants in the annual "AFA Leaders Club v British Academy of Fencing" match. On this occasion the match was held at Lilleshall. I cannot remember the exact year. I remember all the fencers on the photograph well but, pleading the fading memory of age, I find myself unable to put a full name to three of them - if they (or their friends/relatives) would be kind enough to remind me, I would be very grateful. Standing, left to right: Professor Keith Wren, Arthur Banks, Les Johnson, John Worsley, Professor 'Geof' Hawksworth, Professor 'Bob' Anderson, help!, help!, 'Vic' Lagnado, David Maybe. Seated, left to right: Professor 'Harry' Porter and his wife, Bob Perry's wife, John Worsley's wife, Professor 'Johnnie' Fethers, help!, Professor 'Ray' Emery, Professor 'Duggie' Sulivan, Professor 'Bert' Bracewell, Professor Mervyn Dinsdale, Professor 'Leon' Hill, 'Bob' Perry. It should be noted that those given the title of 'Professor' above, were not all masters at the time and many (including myself) were still amateurs and fencing for the Leaders Club in this event. Please don't ask me to specify what the teams were - I've already given ample evidence of my imperfect memory. The AFA Leaders Club, later to be called the AFA Coaches Club, always fielded a strong team and, over the years, I think the victory honours were equally divided between the two organisations. It was a sad day for British Fencing when the AFA Coaches Club was dissolved. It may be of interest to note that it was about this time that John Worsley (pictured here) submitted to the Leon Paul Equipment Company his designs for 'electric sabre'. His design worked on a very similar principle as that of today but, if I remember correctly, the designs were rejected by the FIE. Leon Hill 
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Site last updated
13/12/09
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