Money needed to save fencing club (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Money needed to save fencing club

A NEW directive from Brussels could spell the end of Malmesbury School's 30-year-old fencing club - unless £2,000 can be found to save the day.

The EEC ruling has given all fencing clubs until January 1, 2006 to ensure its safety equipment meets new criteria as demanded by the order or face closure.

Malmesbury School's fencing club, which has 12 members from between Year 7 and Year 12, will have to replace its ageing sets of masks, gloves and safety jackets at a cost of more than £2,000.

So far it has received £250 from its Home and Schools Association, but needs the extra cash to buy equipment marked with the new approved standard, without it the school will not receive any insurance cover.

The school's fencing teacher Hector Cole, said: "If it doesn't have it on it and an accident does happen we wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

"This means replacing all the safety equipment and the clothing for fencing and that's quite a big job.

It's not that the equipment we've got isn't safe, because I check it every year, but some of it is very old.

"Ever since I've been teaching at the school, that's 30 odd years, it's always been a very flourishing school club.

"We've always got a waiting list and some of them have gone on to become very good fencers. It is rather a huge amount to find."

Anyone who would be prepared to sponsor new equipment should contact Christine Westmacott at the school on 01666 829700 or email amin@malmesbury.wilts.sch.uk