As always I will start my update by hoping that you, your family and friends are safe and well and have not been tragically touched by the horrendous third wave of the Covid virus.

We have witnessed some historic changes in the world these past weeks into the new year.
A contentious change of American Government, a divided feeling of farewell to Europe and more to home, the horrific death toll this country has and is still continuing to experience during its third lockdown. 

And yet there is the glimmer of hope as we gear up to the development of the vaccines emerging. The gradual treatment and inoculation to the most vulnerable people and the essential front line service personnel. We still have a bit more to endure!

As with my past updates I have carefully monitored the general trend of the government’s views and guidelines concerning the lockdown restrictions in place. I tend to lean towards the cautious scientific responses outlined, rather than the political bias that is given.

Although I initially was contemplating a reopening of the club at the beginning of April (subject to restrictions being lifted and relaxed measures of social interaction), I have thought long and hard and am a little more confident that by the end of the Easter period (and April as a whole), that things will start to ease off…a bit!

With that in mind I have decided to firmly aim for a reopening in May…subject to restrictions…etc. as already mentioned.
If and when we can return to the club, I propose to keep the club open throughout what is left of 2021. Again this will be subject to any development in restrictions and/or lockdowns imposed.

“It ain’t gonna be easy folks”, but with your help and support I’m sure we can rise to the challenges ahead, it will give us a chance to “Dust the Rust” and get back on track, to enjoy the activity we love.

Please give me any concerns or comments you may have (even if it’s just a ‘Like’ or Thumbs Up!). Now it is just a case of wait and see…there is a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully we’ll get to it very soon!

Stay Safe, Stay En Garde!
Mike

 

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COVID-19 Risk assessment for Ashburton Fencing Club:

These observations and guidelines have been issued to all club members and new members to ensure that they aware of them prior to their arrival at the club.

Members and visitors are asked to bring with them the appropriate face mask, sanitiser wipes and/or gel.  Because of safety requirements anyone not adhering to this request will be refused entry.  This will not apply to those that have a medical condition that exempts them from wearing a face mask.

The COVID-19 officer for Ashburton Fencing Club is Mike Smith and there will be other designated monitors to ensure that the safety guidelines are adhered to for the safety of everyone attending a fencing session.

1.  Any member who feels or shows symptoms of fatigue, fever and irritating coughs are asked to refrain from attending club sessions until they are cleared of the symptoms in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines and the required Government restrictions. Please use basic common sense - if you don’t feel well ‘Stay at home!’

2.  Upon check-in all members will be required to undergo a temperature check using a non-contact monitor and to give contact details for Track & Trace.  Any persons with a temperature reading of 37.5 or higher will be asked to return home.  This also applies to any persons refusing to give contact details.

Safety is paramount!

3.  All members will be asked to wash hands and use sanitiser gel/spray/wipes upon ‘check-in’.

4.  Members will be allocated designated seating areas around the hall at a 2 metre distance from each seat. Members are asked to observe the social distancing required when not actively fencing.  This will not apply to members of the same family who will be able to be seated together.

5.  In good weather, members often fence outdoors in the parking area behind the building.  The same restrictions regarding social distancing will be observed outdoors.

6.  The changing rooms will be monitored with no more than 2-4 persons per change.

7.  The shower room can be used for 1-2 persons.

8.  Changing rooms and toilets will be accessed through a ‘one way system’ using the ‘entry’ door from the main hall to the ‘exit’ door near the toilets.

9. Fencing activity is restricted to groups of a maximum of six people from different households, as long as they remain 2 metres apart as far as possible.

We can have more than one group of six in a hall, providing we are able to maintain social distancing within the space available and the total number of people (including non-fencers) within the hall, does not exceed government and venue guidelines on use of indoor space.

Fencers can rotate within their group and social distancing must be maintained within this group where at all possible. You cannot move to another group(s) within an evening session.

Close quarter fencing is rarely used and members are asked to refrain from this tactic while we remain under special measures.

Bodily contact is strictly prohibited. 

Fleching/running attacks are not permitted at this time.

Participants should avoid any shouting/screaming, particularly during 1:1 activities.

As a normal part of club fencing, protective clothing, including a mask and glove, is worn. British Fencing guidelines state that all fencers are advised to wear a face mask under their fencing mask when actively fencing.

The traditional handshake at the conclusion of a match will be prohibited. A simple ‘sword salute’ is deemed appropriate.

10.  Access to the kitchen for water will be monitored with no more than 2 persons entering at a time.

11.  All club equipment will be sanitised - anti-bacterial spray for jackets and masks and anti-bacterial spray/wipes for sword handles and other equipment.  Where the club provides protective clothing, swords, or other equipment to members, the members will be loaned this clothing or equipment for their personal use only until the pandemic has finished.

12.  Before vacating the building all door handles, surfaces, taps and anything that has come into contact with members will be sanitised with anti-bacterial wipes.

13.  Our normal Thursday evening session is from 18:00 to 21:30.  Younger members tend to arrive and depart in the first part of the evening, older members tend to arrive later.  Although we may have approximately 20 members fencing in the course of an evening, it is very rare to have more than 10-15 present at one time.  The hall is large and it will be easily possible to maintain social distancing for a group this size.

14.  Younger members are sometimes brought to the hall by parents/guardians/visitors, who may stay until their child has finished fencing.  The same rules regarding masks, hand washing, social distancing, etc. will be applied to these parents/guardians/visitors. 

With your patience and understanding we hope we can overcome what seems like ‘Draconian measures’ during this time. But it’s for our own safety and has to conform with both the TA Centre venue operators and British Fencing Covid-19 directives and guidelines.