Young Swordsman is a cut above the rest
them, both competitors took the
fight to an even higher level as
Nigel fought back to stay in with a
chance for the coveted cup. The
spectators were on tender hooks
as cut after cut and thrust after
thrust was warded and countered.
Then during a blazing exchange
Zak Holland struck home and
scored the decisive winning point
to triumphant cheers from the
crowd.
BFHS Valour Cup 2014
Champion and Gold medal winner – Zak Holland of
Arlesey, Bedfordshire.
Silver medal – Nigel Potts of Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Bronze medal – David Rudd of Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Local teenager Zak Holland aged 16 from Arlesey,
Bedfordshire, member of the Aisle O’var Backswording Clubbe claimed
victory at the National UK swordsmanship tournament run by the British
Federation for Historical Swordplay in Lincoln on Saturday 29th of
November. Zak fought against leading swordsmen from across the UK to
win the BFHS Valour Cup for the Steel Backsword and was crown the UK
Champion 2014.
Sword fighting an ancient sport.....
The British Federation for Historical Swordplay is a national, independent
umbrella group for all individual UK societies involved in the research, study
and practice of historical fencing and the European martial arts.
The BFHS is made up of individual societies researching original fencing
treatises that can be traced as far back as the late 13th century. With access
to over 700 years of historical documents written by long-dead fencing
masters, modern practitioners find, interpret, teach and revive techniques
and philosophies from Europe’s martial past.
The BFHS holds annual tournaments in these ancient arts of combat.
Through history there has always been a sporting side to Martial Arts so
that practitioners can test their skills. The use of the Backsword, a single
handed cut and thrust sword was extremely popular in England over the
centuries as a weapon as well as being used extensively in tournaments as
a combat sport. Unlike modern sports fencing the BFHS tournaments use
real (blunted) swords and are as close to real swashbuckling as you can get.
“WOW! What an event!”
After fighting through the preliminary rounds Zak, the youngest competitor
on record for the Backsword tournament, earn his place in the Grand Final
fighting against one of the UK’s leading and most seasoned Backsworders
Nigel Potts from Lincoln.
The stage was set for the Grand Final held at the Strike Zone in Lincoln
and hosted by the Wolfshead Western Martial Arts club a member club of
the BFHS. Spectators from across the UK were poised to see who the
eventual champion would be. When the chief referee announced it was
time to bout the audience erupted in cheers of support and encouragement
for their chosen fighters. Both fighters flew from their positions with cuts,
thrusts and counters at speeds which are rarely seen. The fight was close at
the start but in due course Zak managed to push his score higher. As cuts
and thrust landed home the spectators were in a frenzy, cheers of support
for both fighters’ echoing across the tournament hall. Both competitors
realizing they had a hard fight ahead, dug in deep and set the tournament
ring alight with the quality of their swordplay, towards the end of the final Zak
managed to increase his score placing himself within sight of winning the
cup. Everything now rested on the last few moments. With the crowd behind
If you live in Bedfordshire and want to give real swordsmanship a try then go
to www.backswording.co.uk or find a club near
you by going to
www.thebfhs.org.uk
Your chance to benefit
from an award-winning employment project
Calling all unemployed young people in and around Biggleswade and
East Central Bedfordshire: are you aged 16-19 years old, love working
outdoors and want to boost your job prospects? Then the Green Team is
for you!
Groundwork Hertfordshire, the community charity with the green heart,
has teamed up with Central Bedfordshire Council to offer you the chance
to gain skills, experience and qualifications to help you into work. You’ll do
work across Central Bedfordshire, with a focus on the Biggleswade area.
Over 12 weeks of practical landscaping work and training, you’ll have
the chance to gain up to four City & Guilds qualifications, a Construction
Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card and improve your Maths
and English through Functional Skills. You’ll also be given loads of
employment skills support – we’ll work with you on your CV, job searching
and interview skills.
We’re recruiting for the Green Team now (the deadline is 12 January
2015) so if you’re interested in applying or would like more information,
please talk to Gerard Hughes, Green Team Supervisor for Groundwork
Hertfordshire, on 07718 042744.
a note of thanks
Hi Steve,
Last week I lost my mobile phone on the afternoon school run to Gothic
Mede, after retracing my steps I still could not find it.
The next day I was told someone had handed one into the school, which
turned out to be mine! They did not leave their name and do not seem to be
parent at the school or on Facebook.
I would like to thank them in person if possible?
Many thanks
N. Davis
If you are the person who found the mobile phone or know who they are
please get in touch.
to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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January 2015
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