Notice is hereby given that the 2025 AGM of Welsh Fencing will be held on 23rd November 2025. It will be a hybrid meeting, details of which will be published on the Welsh Fencing website 28 days before the meeting, along with the statutory notices.
Please find below full details of the Executive Board of Welsh Fencing. To send any of us a message, please email using the email addresses listed.
Marc Burkhalter
Chair
marc.burkhalter@fencing.cymruMarc has been fencing since the age of 11, starting at Plymouth Fencing Club with Andy Hill, then moving to Bath Swords while at university and then at various clubs since. Marc has competed at all levels both nationally and internationally and has represented Wales at 6 Commonwealth Championships where he won individual Gold in 2010 and has won 6 medals in total.
A regular on the circuit until quite recently Marc is now keen to give back to the Welsh fencing community with the aim to ensure there are the same opportunities he has had in representing Wales through the years and to help the next generation (both young and old!) flourish in our amazing sport.
Mike Evans-Jones
Vice Chair
mike.evans-jones@fencing.cymruMike has been involved with fencing from a young age, after being inspired by his first coach Mike Norfolk at Wrexham. Having followed the fencing pyramid to compete nationally and internationally he took a break from the sport to follow another passion, in rugby, before returning to fencing during university. Returning to coaching in 2015 he has worked with athletes competing at a national and international level individually and as part of national squads.
Having worked across sport, and latterly as a physical education teacher and coach he is passionate about the benefits of sport in general and in promoting and developing fencing within Wales. With a particular focus on athlete development, performance pathways and the competitive landscape he is keen to continue to elevate fencing’s place in the Welsh sporting landscape.
Rhian Martin
Director
rhian.martin@fencing.cymruRhian has a huge breadth of experience from being an ex-professional athlete and World No.1 to successful career in investment banking. She currently runs a fitness company and has founded a Charitable Sports Trust. Rhian has represented Wales in Triathlon, Duathlon, Swimming, and Cross-country, as well as being on the Welsh Golf Development squad.
She is former World No.1 in swim and has represented Great Britain at triathlon. She is passionate about promoting health and well-being at the grassroots level and across a wide spectrum of ages, abilities, genders, and races. She was introduced to fencing via her son and is keen help others in to the sport.
Welsh Fencing would like to announce that our Chair, Ceri Picton, has had to unfortunately announce her resignation. We would like to thank Ceri for all her hard work and continued support of Welsh Fencing and Welsh fencers.
Dear All
It is time to hand over the baton for safeguarding and welfare. After 6 years of being your National Safeguarding Lead, I am stepping down to concentrate on the ‘day’ job as it goes through a period of growth and expansion.
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday, 24th November..
Please see the documents below.
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday, 26th November..
Please see the documents below.
This is to announce that Lyn Robinson has resigned from the Board of Welsh Fencing with immediate effect.
The Board would like to thank Lyn for the huge amount of dedication, passion and support for the sport of fencing here in Wales over many years.
Her sense of fun is infectious, and anyone who has worked, fenced with, fenced against, or just spend time with Lyn will appreciate everything she has given to the sport.
On behalf of the fencing community here in Wales, and all your fencing friends across the world, we wish you all the very best.
The 2022 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday, 27th November..
Please see the documents below.
Under the terms of the Articles of Welsh Fencing, the following Directors were required to resign this year:
- Vice Chairman - Allan Banks
- Director - Peter Stewart
Following a call for nominations, both Allan and Peter were nominated to serve again.
As no further nominations were received, I can report that both Allan and Peter are elected for a further term in office.
I can announce that Peter Stewart has tendered his resignation from the Executive Board, with immediate effect.
I would like to thank him for his many years of unstinting hard work on behalf of Fencing in Wales.
Mark Ridsdale
Chairman.
The Board would like to announce the appointment of Lyn Robinson to the role of Honorary Secretary.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Hilary for her extensive work over the last four years. Time for a break, Hilary!
I can report that Lyn Robinson has resigned from this role, with effect from from 27th November.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to say a big 'thank-you' for the effort that she has expended, and the work she has done.
Thank you, Lyn!
Company Limited by Guarantee
Welsh Fencing is a limited company (limited by guarantee). This type of limited company is commonly used for a club or an association. This will have limited liability - the liability of its members being limited to the amount each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up, normally £1.
Self Certification
Sport Wales report the following: "To ensure that we are investing public money responsibly, together with partners we have developed a new Capability Framework to support the continuous improvement of organisations so that they are best prepared to achieve their potential. In order for us to have confidence, we require you to meet the Essential Requirements below by March 2020. Please self-certify that your organisation has the following Essential Requirements".
Welsh Fencing have self-certified as follows:
The 2021 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday, 28th November..
Please see the documents below.
The 2020 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday, 29th November..
Please see the documents below.
Alun Boore has resigned his position with immediate effect.
We intend to recruit a replacement Director through the standard AGM process, advertised here: AGM 2018 Request for Nominations
The Board would like to send a big 'thank you' to Jayne Clays, who has recently stood down from the role of Regional Welfare Officer. The Board are considering how best to replace Jayne, and are currently in discussions with SportWales and BFA. Jayne's role will be fulfilled by the Chairman until a final decision is made.
You can find our SafeGuarding Policy here, which includes the process for Implementing and Monitoring.
If you have concerns, you should speak to the Chairman (welfare@welshfencing.org) or contact British Fencing’s Safeguarding Hotline on 07526 003030 (email equality@britishfencing.com)
Under the terms of the Articles of Welsh Fencing, the following Director was required to resign this year:
- Director - Mark Ridsdale
Following a call for nominations, Mark was nominated to serve again.
As no further nominations were received, I can report that Mark is elected for a further term in office.
The 2019 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on 24th November, 2019.
Please see the documents below for Minutes, Accounts and Director Reports.
The 2018 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on 9th December, 2018.
Please see the documents below for Minutes, Accounts and Director Reports.
The 2017 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on 26th November, 2017.
Please see the documents below for Minutes, Accounts and Director Reports.
The 2016 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on 27th November, 2016.
Please see the documents below for Minutes, Motions, Accounts and Director Reports.
The planned date for the AGM for 2017 is November 26th, 2017.
The 2015 Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on 19th March, 2016.
Please see the documents below for Minutes, Motions, Accounts and Director Reports.
The planned date for the AGM for 2016 is November 27th, 2016.
The Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Wednesday 10th December, 2014.
1. The Minutes of the 2013 AGM were accepted.
2. Mark Ridsdale was re-elected unopposed to the Board
2. The Accounts for the year to March 2014 were accepted.
The Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Wednesday 8th January, 2014.
1. The Minutes of the 2012 AGM were accepted.
2. Peter Stewart and Allan Banks were re-elected unopposed to the Board
2. The Accounts for the year to March 2013 were accepted.
The Annual General Meeting of Welsh Fencing Ltd was held on Sunday 16th December.
1. The Minutes of the 2011 AGM were accepted, subject to an amendment regarding the names of the Directors reported - Allan Banks being inadvertently ommited from the list.
2. The Accounts for the year to March 2012 were accepted.
3. David Rees was appointed to the position of Chairman.
4. Mark Ridsdale was appointed to the position of Director.
The Welsh Fencing AGM for 2011 was held at the Welsh Institute of Sport on 12th November 2011. The Minutes of the AGM are attached.