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Bluebell Sunday – Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Catles (c) Jenkaya's blog)West Devon Swords will be attending Bluebell Sunday at Okehampton Castle on Sunday May 15th, 2017.

Running taster sessions with the safe, plastic mini-fence kit during the day, novices can try fencing in 20 minute sessions with Vicki and Robin.

Visitors will be able to enjoy free entry to the historic site, music, morris dancing, a butterfly hunt, and pond-dipping throughout the day. English Heritage, which runs the castle, will be on hand to share tales of Okehampton’s past – as well as collecting memories of the castle and Bluebell Sunday for the 100th anniversary of the castle’s donation as a public monument.

Find Okehampton Castle via the English Heritage website.

Image: Okehampton Castle, creative commons, courtesy of Jenikya’s Blog

WDS at Fight Camp 2016

WDS attended FightCamp XIII – 12th-14th August 2016, once again at The Grange, Balsall Common, outside Coventry.

With the usual packed programme of classes, Fight Camp was again one of the best HEMA events in the UK.

Classes included several schools of longsword, rapier, sidesword and more unusually broadsword and targe.

 

WDS at May Melee 2016

Catling and Pritchard practising sword and bucler at May Melee 2014The second May Melee weekend HEMA event was held once again at the Holford Arms, Knockdown, 27-28th May 2016.

Run by Virtus Sword School, HEMA clubs from across the South-West and beyond gathered for a weekend of classes and sparring alongside general revelry.

Both of WDS instructors attended, but, plagued with injuries, could contribute little this time aside from good humour and moral support. We’re hoping for better fitness for next year.