A LOCAL fencing club is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary by holding beginners classes.

Ddraig Wern Fencing Club was started by Meg and Phil Shepherd-Foster in September 2006 and this year, a decade after it first opened, the club wants to attract more members and show Mid-Wales what fencing has to offer.

Richard Jenkins, whose daughter Gracie became the British U12 fencing champion earlier in the year said: "Over the years we have had some great interest from fencers but we want to attract more people.

"The beginners course is designed to introduce new members to the discipline of the sport and therefore enable them to safely join in the full club sessions.

"Fencing is a fantastic way to keep fit, for both old and young fencers and we are hoping in the coming years to develop the club into a Mid-Wales Centre of Excellence."

There were great successes on the fencing stage with fencers entering competitions all over Europe and after five years the club received a new coach, Peter Russell.

After this Zach Clabon started to home his coaching talents at the club and then Fran Whalley took over the main coaching roll.

The club is now welcoming new coach, Daniel Robinson, who will join the existing coaching team. He has 19 years experience in fencing has won bronze in the Senior Commonwealth Championships in Australia as well as numerous other competitions.

Richard said: "Dan is joining the club to expand our coaching staff and it is hoped that he will help us expand the club by getting out to all the local schools and hopefully increase participation in the sport in the area.

"We are hoping the beginners course will help with this as well and would love new people to come along and have a go."

The beginners courses start on Tuesday, November 1 at Gwernyfed High School sports hall and Richard added: "Places are limited and issued on a first come first serve basis so please get in touch sooner rather than later if you want to try it out.

"It is a six week course with the Musketeers (ages 7-10) costing £30, the Juniors (ages 11-17) costing £45 and the seniors (ages 18+) costing £50."

Anyone wishing to take part should email [email protected]