History

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CLUB.
MALLARD WAS FORMED IN 1983 FROM MEMBERS OF CANTERBURY FENCING CLUB.
PROFESSOR ALFRED MALLARD WAS THE MAIN COACH IN EAST KENT AND ON HIS DEATH IN
1983, IT WAS DECIDED TO RENAME CANTERBURY FENCING CLUB TO MALLARD IN HIS
HONOUR.
OUR FIRST VENUE WAS AT THE BELTINGE MEMORIAL HALL IN HERNE BAY AND BOB
GAMBRILL BECAME THE MAIN COACH AND REMAINED WITH THE CLUB FOR MANY YEARS
UNTIL HE MOVED TO FRANCE.
MALLARD MOVED TO SEVERAL FURTHER VENUES OVER THE YEARS – THE CABIN IN HERNE
BAY MEMORIAL PARK, HERNE BAY HIGH SCHOOL, HERNE BAY JUDO CLUB, CHAUCER
TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL, AND SPIRES ACADEMY IN STURRY. WHEN COVID ARRIVED, SCHOOLS
WERE NOT KEEN TO TAKE OUTSIDE CLUBS, SO THE CLUB MOVED TO BOUGHTON UNDER
BLEAN VILLAGE HALL, WHICH IS OUR CURRENT VENUE AND HOPEFULLY WILL REMAIN SO
FOR SOME TIME.
HUNDREDS OF FENCERS HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE CLUB OVER THE 40 YEARS, SOME
REACHING INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL, OTHERS FENCING FOR THE ENJOYMENT
OF THE SPORT.