Easter Holidays – Archery
As April plays host to the Easter break, we are running some extra archery sessions on Mondays. We will be hosting 1 hour long drop in sessions from 1pm until 5pm on April 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Under age 16, £5 per session and 16+ , £7.50 per session. We also have some special offers on small group bookings for archery during weekdays, so if you are looking for something fun to do why not give us a call and book in for some archery fun!
The following offer is subject to availability. Tuesday to Friday between 1pm and 5pm. This offer is only available from April 2nd until April 23rd 2019. Suitable for ages 8 years +. Full payment to be made at the time of booking. To make a booking call us on 07477234020.
- 1 hour archery for 4 people – £30
- 1 hour archery for 6 people – £45
- 1 hour archery for 8 people – £60
Price changes at the Vanguard Centre
As a small business we try to keep our prices as reasonable as possible for all of our wonderful customers. Unfortunately, the rising costs of running a small business means that from time to time we do have to implement small price increases so that we can continue to provide the services and activities that we have here on offer at the Centre.
We appreciate the continued support of all of our regular and new patrons and hope that you will all continue to frequent the Vanguard Centre. Our price increases will be in effect from April 1st 2019. You can find the price changes in the table below:
| ACTIVITY | CURRENT PRICE | NEW PRICE |
| Introduction to Blacksmithing 1 session | £60 | £65 |
| Introduction to Blackmithing 4 session course | £210 | £230 |
| Pendant forging session | £65 | £70 |
| Private Parties per hour | £60 | £12 per person with a minimum charge of £60 |
| Private tuition per hour | £20 member £20 non member | £20 member £25 non member |
| 5 session pass | £35 member £40 non member | £40 member £45 non member |
| 10 session pass | £60 member £70 non member | £70 member £80 non member |
| Drop in forging session- invitation only | £15 member £25 non member | £18 member £28 non member |
April Sparring Day
We try to have at least on dedicated sparring day every month at the Centre, and this month it will be hosted on Saturday 20th.
Starting from 1pm we will have the hall ready for students and guests to come and put in some serious practise time duelling for fun, experience and challenge! This session is open to all HEMA practitioners to come and throw their gauntlet in the ring and play with friends, foes and other folks – basic level safety equipment and some weapon simulators are available to loan, but fencers are encouraged to bring as much of their own as they wish to use.
Coaching, advice and competitive preparation are available from the Vanguard Centre instructors, as well as refreshments, photography and even dance-cards for they shy or unorganised! Tickets are available from our website, here: https://vanguard.academyofhistoricalarts.co.uk/shop/events-seminars/april-sparring-day/
Our Instructor is on Team GB!!
Jonathan, our resident HEMA instructor, has been selected by the organising committee of the European Games to represent Great Britain and Ireland at this summers event in Minsk, alongside other top-notch fencers. He has already begun his reconditioning and diet (which he hates!) in order to be fighting fit for for the end of June, and will be spending some days away to train with other HEMA schools and other members of the Team GB delegates for himself and the rest of the team to fine-tune his skills for competition.
Jonathan will also be helping to organise fundraising and media awareness for himself and the rest of the Team GB delegates in the months to come. Watch this space for updates about HEMA at the European Games 2019 and our training, funding and promotional progress, or better yet, come in for some classes and help Jonathan train yourselves!
New Book Launch
Presented within this book is an investigation of the Company of Liechtenauer, tracing their connections and influences through archival records spanning more than a century. Scholarly Fencing is contrasted with what was referred to as ‘Common Fencing’. This book demonstrates the Aristotelian and Scholastic approach that defined the secret Art of Liechtenauer, and describes the science of sword-fighting in the 15th and 16th centuries.
About Swords, Science, and Society: German Martial Arts in the Middle Ages
In medieval Germany, combat was a matter of life and death, and knowing the Art of Fencing was to have control over it: to have the power to save or take lives. Those who knew the Art of Fencing kept such knowledge as a closely guarded secret.
In 15th century Bavaria, a small and secretive fellowship of fencing masters encoded their knowledge into a cryptic and arcane verse. Their Art, the ‘one true art of the sword’, was reserved only for the initiated. At the head of this fellowship was a grand-master known as Johannes Liechtenauer.
Presented within this book is an investigation of the Company of Liechtenauer, tracing their connections and influences through archival records spanning more than a century. Scholarly Fencing is contrasted with what was referred to as ‘Common Fencing’.
Separating the ‘common’ from the ‘initiated’, this book demonstrates the Aristotelian and Scholastic approach that defined the secret Art of Liechtenauer, and describes the science of sword-fighting in the 15th and 16th centuries.
This is the newest title to our ever growing collection of HEMA books. To purchase a copy visit our shop https://vanguard.academyofhistoricalarts.co.uk/shop/books/swords-science-and-society-german-martial-arts-in-the-middle-ages/
Beginners Longsword Course
Ever wanted to learn to use a big two-handed sword? Now is your chance with our Beginners Longsword Course!
Starting on Saturday 11th of May 2019, and running every Saturday for 6 weeks, with the exception of the second week, which will be hosted on Sunday the 19th or May instead of the Saturday, we will be hosting a course teaching the fundamentals of using the Longsword in the late-medieval German style.
This form of swordsmanship is characterised by strong bio-mechanical positions and the angles of attack needed to get around them, as well as logical and methodical tactical play – studying this weapon provides a great mix of the athletic and the academic!
This course is intended for those with little to no martial arts experience, and for those who may have a grounding in other fighting arts but have never investigated European fighting styles or edged weaponry.
Through the 6 lessons, participants will get a basic understanding of the history, terminology, mechanics, techniques and tactics associated with this weapon in a safe and friendly environment. This course will also be an ideal stepping-off point into further study and practise of martial arts, including the foundation needed to attend our regular German longsword drop-in sessions at the Centre.
Full equipment will be provided by the Vanguard Centre as part of the course, but suitable clothing and footwear must be brought by each participant.
The course will cost £70 for 6 lessons over 6 weeks, with passes available for purchase through our online shop. This also includes a copy of The Academy of Historical Arts – German Longsword Study Guide. Please make your payment in person at the venue (we can accept both cash and card), or through our online shop (we can accept card or PayPal).
Book your place here: https://vanguard.academyofhistoricalarts.co.uk/shop/events-seminars/beginners-longsword-course/