As nominations open for the 2025 BF Honours, we’re shining a spotlight on last year’s recipients. In this feature, we speak to Carole Seheult, who received a Bronze Medal for volunteer services in supporting fencing at all levels, in the North East and across the UK.
“I would like to make it clear that there are many others who volunteer in the club and the North East Region. who are just as worthy as I am of receiving it!
“I was a late arrival on the fencing scene, having waited to pick up an epee for the first time until I was well over fifty. However since then, finding my “fencing family” not only in Laszlo’s Fencing Club but also throughout the North East region and within British Veterans Fencing, fencing has become a very significant part of my life, not only as a competitive sport but also in the huge range of opportunities for travel, friendship and fun it has brought me.
“As Beth pointed out in her speech last week, as in almost all grassroots sport, volunteers are the “glue” that brings us all together and is essential in keeping the whole show on the road! It’s the coaches, helpers, fencers, family, parents, grandparents and others who get all the good and essential jobs like sorting out kit, laying pistes (and taking them up!) collecting the money, talking to anxious parents at their first competition, acting as welfare officers, mediating misunderstandings; cajoling and finding fencers for Winton Cup teams sitting on committees, fundraising, and more. An endless list of things which, when done, allows the whole organisation to thrive and operate more effectively.
“Then there have been the rewards for volunteering, These include captaining the wonderful North Britain Winton Cup team, volunteering at the Junior Commonwealth Championships in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Laszlo’s Fencing Club unexpectedly prolonged trip to Beijing in 2010. Above all, the dozens of friends from every part of the country and the world that I have made along the way! Thank you all!”
If you know a BF member that has made a significant contribution to fencing in Britain whilst upholding our values of honesty, respect and excellence, why not nominate them for this year’s BF Honours award?
Nominations close on the 30th May 2025.
Don’t miss the latest news. Subscribe to our weekly summary email, The Fencing Digest, featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.
