It’s that time of the year again! It may be cold outside, but you will always find a warm welcome here at The Vanguard Centre. This year has been great thanks to all you wonderful archers, sword fighters and blacksmiths! From all the team here at The Vanguard Centre, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Christmas Parties
Looking for some fun ideas for your office party? Why not book your team in for some festive archery or sword fighting fun! If you would like to try some of the activities here at the centre before heading out to dinner and drinks on the town, then give us a call or email us to book your party!
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are a great way to give your friends and loved ones an experience they will never forget. We offer gift vouchers for private tuition in both archery and HEMA, and blacksmithing courses and sessions. You can also purchase session passes or membership as a gift.
Beginners Longsword Course
Beginning January 11th 2020, we will be hosting another 6 week long Beginners Longsword Course. An ideal Christmas gift for anyone looking to get involved in HEMA. This course can be booked through our online shop or at the centre. If you would like to purchase this as a gift, get in touch with us and we can arrange a gift voucher for you. The course includes a copy of The Academy of Historical Arts German Longsword Study Guide.
Archery
As always, we have plenty of range time for you keen archers! We will also be adding some Friday evening archery sessions this month, check out our online booking system for dates and times.
Scottish Fighting Arts
Bartitsu in Scottish Fighting Arts in December
For a bit of gentle fun in the last few weeks of the year, the Tuesday night Scottish Fighting Arts classes will feature some Walking Stick and Cane self-defence, taken from the school of Bartitsu – the original mixed martial art!
Invented by world traveller, engineer and student of fighting, Edward W Barton-Wright in the late 19th Century, this odd melting pot of judo, jiu-jitsu, pugilism, French kick-boxing and Swiss Cane fighting was trained and promoted in London’s Soho and attracted many great figures of the era. It was popularised as the fighting style of Sherlock Holmes in fiction, but also had many examples of real world use such as the “suffragitsu” of the Suffragette movement that allowed the protesters to wrestle with the police on even terms.
For the 3 regular Tuesday nights in December, we will have a brief exploration of the cane fighting portion of the art, illustrating the self-defence principles that a gentleman or lady about town could use to protect themselves in a mugging or rowdy drinking den. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring a brimmed had such as a bowler, boater or topper, and canes and walking sticks can be used at the instructor’s discretion, but all weapons and safety gear will be provided.
Bartitsu, and magnificent moustaches, on Tuesday the 3rd, 10th and 17th of December at 8 o’clock!