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This week Fran meets Aurora Simmons, longsword and armoured fighting instructor at Toronto Historical Combat in Canada.

We discuss the importance of creating training spaces that are welcoming to all genders: what to avoid and what to include.

Aurora also talks about her extensive background in martial arts such as taekwondo and jeet kune do, along with 15 years experience in HEMA alone.

In this episode Fran talks to Spencer Waddell: a champion fighter and title holder of many styles including reenactment, SCA, HEMA, AMMA, boxing, buhurt and light sabre.

We discuss his background and his unique perspective on heavy hitting in sword arts, when it’s appropriate and when it’s a bad idea.

To see what’s coming up in the pipeline you can support the podcast and content by becoming a Patron for as little as £1 a month.

Last week was the ninth anniversary of our inaugural event in 2017. Over thirty women HEMA fencers and instructors got together to learn historical fencing, and we have been building on this ever since.

Saturday we are hosting a URG sparring and coaching session in Godalming, Surrey. It’s free of charge and open to all schools. DM for details

This weekend was my first ever time in Scotland! I was kindly invited by organisers Madeleine Thomson and Rose Jones to the first ever URG led event in the country.

Friday we arrived early and spent the day looking at spectacular armour, weapons and exhibits in the Kelvingrove Museum.

Saturday was a day of teaching: I was honoured to be among Jo York, Sue Kirk, Melissa Hainsworth, Diana Mathess, Alyson Duffy, Kerry Tamplin and Victoria Clow who all ran a large range of amazing workshops to an enthusiastic attendance of fencers from local clubs.

I was initially asked to teach Sword and Buckler but ended up teaching Rapier and companion weapons as well due to fellow instructor Emilia Skirmuntt being unable to attend.

It was a great day followed by a fun night point in the city. I took a moment to interview Rose and Madeleine so look forward to a podcast soon.

Sunday was competition day with rated sabre and longsword tournaments, followed by a mixed weapon tournament where weapons are chosen by picking a random tarot card – hence the event name.

A highly enjoyable weekend, run by passionate fencers in a gorgeous city. I highly recommend attending if you get the chance.