It’s getting a bit frosty out there! Time to come to the Vanguard Centre and do some archery, blacksmithing or HEMA. No matter what the weather, we are here for classes, cups of tea and plenty of banter. Keep reading to find out what’s on at The Vanguard Centre in November.
Scottish Fighting Arts
Medieval Street Fighting in Scottish Fighting Arts classes
After the runaway success of the street fighting in August, we are bringing multi-man team fighting back for November! Rather than looking at the sources or techniques of one particular weapon, we will instead be practising fighting in a very different environment.
In historical context, fighting was only rarely one-on-one duelling, more often committed in gangs or small units of combatants beyond the battlefield or even in civilian streets, so for a bit of fun in November we will be trying to recreate the feeling and the fury of armed self-defence and turf warfare of the 14th and 15th centuries.
These lessons will be less strict about individual performance and mechanics, although those will always be helpful and will be coached as necessary, and the classes will instead look at the tactics and method of fighting groups – there are considerations of movement, footwork and angles of attack that are more or less helpful in a multi-directional fight, and better or worse still in a confined space! Learn how to cover or rescue your friends in a brawl, stand alone against multiple foes, fight back to back when surrounded by your enemies, and the most useful of all, how to do the bare minimum to run away!
These classes will make use of common weapons of the period such as single sword or messer (fighting knife), sword and buckler, and the two-handed longsword. Anyone with at least some experience in these systems is welcome to give them a try in these stressful group situations.
We will also take the opportunity to practise some rarer forms of engagement like escort duty, bodyguarding, snatch-and-grab a prize, and the famous tavern brawl… Team Deathmatch, Last Man Standing, Domination, Capture The Flag, Juggernaut, and other game modes available!
Medieval Street Fighting will be hosted on Tuesday nights through November at 8.00pm.
Blacksmithing
Fancy making your loved ones some hand forged gifts for Christmas? Then why not book in to one of our forging sessions this November.
Our blacksmith, Paul, will be here at the Vanguard forge with hammer in hand to teach you how! We have a range of pendant forging sessions available, fire pokers, toasting forks and fire strikers also make great gifts. We also have gift vouchers available for forging sessions if you have a friend or family member that fancies forging their own!
Get in touch to arrange a session or gift voucher.
Archery
Archery classes have been busy!
We love having you all along to theses sessions and with 7 sessions available throughout the week, you have ample time to come for some target practice. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned archer, we have plenty of range time for you. All the kit you need to get started is right here at The Vanguard Centre, so if you are an aspiring toxophilite, book yourself into one of our archery sessions here.
Christmas parties at The Vanguard Centre
Our diary is now open for Christmas party bookings! If you fancy some archery or sword fighting before you hit the pub, get in touch and get booked in.