Rupert Davies-Cooke

I can't remember a time when fencing was not in my life. One of my earliest memories is of seeing foils and masks hanging from hooks in our cloakroom at home. I was too young to touch these beautiful weapons. I had to wait a few years before I was allowed to hold them. The foils belonged to our mother, Henrietta Davies-Cooke, who had been the 1950 Schoolgirl Champion and represented Britain in international matches. As a young boy, I would join her when she went fencing. I loved these evenings, sitting quietly on the sidelines, soaking up the excitement as she and her friends ran madly up and down the pistes.

She was pleased when I showed an interest in the sport, and in 1973, I began by taking fencing lessons with Professor Parkins at the Lansdowne. Professor Parkins was one of the great fencing masters of the post-war era who coached our 1960s fencing champions. Then later, I worked with Professor Bob Anderson (who choreographed the fight sequences in Star Wars) and then later still, with Professor Ziemek Wojciechowski (GB Olympic coach 87-2020), and it seemed natural to progress to coaching after a lifetime of competitive fencing. 

So I hope you might join one of the beginners' classes and experience the uniqueness of fencing. This is no video game. It is real life in which every part of your body is engaged. It takes both time and commitment. Are you prepared for that? If so, I hope to welcome you to a sport that I believe will change your life.