British Quarterstaff Assocation News

Sat 10 December: Chiltern Hills Workshop

2011-11-10T17:22:00.002Z

On Saturday 10th December there will be a day's workshop for men to learn the quarterstaff in the Chiltern Hills, South Bucks at Brimmers Farm. Those with previous and no experience of quarter-staffing both welcome.

Full details are available at http://www.quarterstaff.org/events.html

New photos

2011-10-18T10:17:00.003+01:00

New photos uploaded in the gallery, from the October 2011 quarterstaff weekend at Unstone Grange. http://quarterstaff.org/gallery.html

British Quarterstaff Association Weekend

2011-09-04T08:51:00.002+01:00

The quarterstaffing weekend for men in Derbyshire is coming up soon - a weekend where you can learn the quarterstaff and explore the avenues of knowledge that it offers for developing physical skill and strength as well as wider awareness and the skilfull use of intention. This weekend is open to beginners and those with quarterstaffing experience.

Friday October 7th - Sunday October 9th 2011
Unstone Grange, south of Sheffield

For details and booking visit the booking page.

Sheffield Training: Next meeting 2 July 2011

2011-06-23T21:39:00.001+01:00

The next meeting is 2 July 2011, 9am in Richmond Park. More details here.

Workshops on 19th March 2011

2011-03-15T08:55:00.001Z

The next workshops coming up are in High Wycombe and in Bristol, both on Saturday 19th March. More details here.

Quarterstaffing for Men, October 2011

2011-03-08T09:48:00.004Z

Weekend in Derbyshire, October 7-9th 2011

This weekend for beginners and those with some quarterstaffing experience will be held at Unstone Grange in Derbyshire. The cost will be £65 (£50 for concessions). Further information and online booking is available here.

Bristol Training: Saturday 22nd January 2011

2011-01-09T11:04:00.001Z

The next meeting in Bristol is on Saturday 22nd January 10am-1pm. More details here.

High Wycombe Men's Workshop 15th Jan 2011

2010-12-23T10:23:00.002Z

The next workshop in High Wycombe is on Saturday 15th January 11am-3pm. More details here.

Sheffield Training: Next meeting 9 January 2011

2010-12-23T10:21:00.001Z

The next meeting is Sunday 9th January, 10am in Richmond Park. More details here.

Bristol Quarterstaff Training: 27 November 2010

2010-10-29T09:37:00.001+01:00

There will be a half-day quarterstaff training event in Bristol on Saturday 27th November. For beginners and those with some experience.

Time: 10 am to 1 pm.

Location: under the M32 flyover at J3 Eastville (the section north of the roundabout, parallel with Stapleton Road). It is dry under there and surprisingly quiet. If the weather is good we can go across the road to the park.

Bring a staff if you have one, but if you don't, a staff will be provided.

Cost: a contribution of £5 to the British Quarterstaff Association.

Please let Chris Gilchrist know (quarterstaff@hotmail.co.uk or 07966 514011) if you plan to come. If enough people are interested, we can organise a regular monthly group.

Sheffield Training: Next meeting 27 November 2010

2010-10-29T09:33:00.002+01:00

The next meeting is Saturday 27th November, 9am-1pm in Richmond Park. More details here.

Sheffield Training Group: First meeting 23 Oct 2010

2010-10-08T09:19:00.000+01:00

Following the recent quarterstaff weekend in Derbyshire, a small group of us in the Sheffield area are getting together to train. At present, we are planning to meet once a month on a Saturday morning. The first meeting will be on Saturday 23rd October 2010. The time and venue are still to be set.

If you would like to join us, contact Ian Rose by Sunday 17th October, at the latest, to express an interest. We will then fix a time and venue to accommodate people travelling from further afield.

Contact Ian Rose on 01629 814617 or by email at ian.iw.rose@googlemail.com

Quarterstaffing for Men, October 2010

2010-07-25T15:01:00.003+01:00

Weekend in Derbyshire, October 1-3 2010

This weekend for beginners and those with some quarterstaffing experience will be held at Unstone Grange in Derbyshire. The cost will be £65. Further information and online booking is available here.

High Wycombe Men's workshop July 17th 2010

2010-06-23T15:43:00.000+01:00

There will be a workshop in High Wycombe (between London and Oxford on the M40) on Saturday 17th July from 11am to 3pm. All welcome, beginners and those with some experience. More details here.

BQA weekend in Derbyshire, October 1-3 2010

2010-05-16T11:07:00.001+01:00

This weekend for beginners and those with some quarterstaffing experience will be held at Unstone Grange www.unstonegrange.co.uk in Derbyshire.

We have booked a camping field and a barn. Bring your own tent. Instruction and meals will be provided. The cost will be £70.

To book a place email: quarterstaff@hotmail.co.uk

San Francisco Practice Event June 5th-6th, July 3rd-4th

2010-05-16T10:51:00.003+01:00

Hombres-G (a San Francisco bay area peaceful warrior fraternity), is hosting Ian Rose, Instructor of the British Quarterstaff Association, in a 4-part series of Quarterstaff Instruction. The first session will be held over the weekend of 5th and 6th June in Berkeley, and there will be a follow up session on the weekend of 3rd-4th July.

Full details here.

Weekend in Somerset - May 14-16 2010

2010-04-10T17:33:00.000+01:00

Wolfshead, a group of archers and swordsmen, are running a staff training session with the British Quarterstaff Association on May 14-16th. They have a field and camping area near Hatch Beauchamp, nr Taunton, Somerset.

If you would like to come, please email Neil Eddiford: thefletch@supanet.com

The cost will be about £25.

High Wycombe Men's workshop April 17th 2010

2010-03-28T17:25:00.001+01:00

There will be a workshop in High Wycombe (between London and Oxford on the M40) on Saturday 17th April from 11am to 3pm.

All welcome, beginners and those with some experience.

More details here.

Quarterstaff training in Leeds - 7 April 2010

2010-03-23T09:04:00.000Z

There will be a training session at Skelton Grange Environment Centre on Wednesday April 7th from 1 to 4 pm.

This session is open to men and women and will give instruction for beginners. Staffs will be provided.

For location see www.skeltongrange.org.uk

For more information contact Ian Rose: iw.rose@googlemail.com or 01629 814617

High Wycombe workshop March 20th 2010

2010-03-09T10:09:00.002Z

There will be a workshop in High Wycombe (between London and Oxford on the M40) on Saturday 20 March from 11am to 3pm.

All welcome, beginners and those with some experience.

More details here.

Bristol Workshop 21st November

2009-10-19T17:15:00.001+01:00

There will be a workshop in Bristol on Saturday 21 November from 10.30 am to 1 pm.

All welcome, beginners and those with some experience.

Location is Eastville Park, which is adjacent to Muller Road on the East side of the M32/B4469 junction (Tesco/IKEA). We'll meet in the park in the area close to Muller Road unless the weather is vile, in which case we'll meet in the area under the M32 flyover. There's a large flat concrete area on a pedestrian island underneath the Motorway flyover which will keep the rain off.

Staffs will be provided.

Please contact quarterstaff@hotmail.co.uk if you plan to come or call Chris on 0117 924 5183

High Wycombe Class

2009-10-08T10:40:00.002+01:00

New class starting in High Wycombe (between London and Oxford) on Saturday 17th October. Details available here.

Quarterstaff workshop in Bristol

2009-07-01T09:42:00.001+01:00

There will be a one-day workshop in Bristol on Saturday August 15th 2009.

Venue: Clifton Down
Time: 10 am to 4.30 pm.
Staffs will be provided. Bring a picnic lunch.

The workshop will give you the chance to learn quarterstaff basics, or if you have already done this, to improve your skills. If you wish to attend please email: quarterstaff@hotmail.co.uk

New quarterstaff group with a map

2009-03-03T11:39:00.002Z

If you want to keep in touch with what's going on with quarterstaff training and events, and to find other people to train with, then you can now join our free quarterstaff group.

The group includes a member map allowing everyone to create a map entry showing the town where they live. You can then see if there is anyone living near you who might want to get together for some practise. The map will also help us to plan where to hold workshops.

May 2009 Weekend

2009-03-03T11:36:00.003Z

More information is now available on the May 2009 weekend, to be held May 15-17th 2009 near Kidderminster. This weekend will be suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience. More details are available on the events page.

Six Animals

2009-02-08T09:46:00.000Z

New web pages on the six animals -

In training with the staff, we seek to develop not just physical strength and agility but also the ability to move in different ways. The six animals - stag, cat, bear, fox, boar, hawk - teach specific qualities of movement, but also represent qualities the warrior learns to use.

London Class Started for 2009

2009-02-03T19:17:00.002Z

The London beginner's class has started for 2009. We're meeting on Saturday mornings 11am-1pm in Walpole Park, Ealing (outdoors, so dress appropriately!) . Future venues may change according to the needs of the class, but Ealing seems a good starting point. Training staffs are provided if you don't have your own. Cost is £5 a session. More details here.

We will be looking at:

Sequences of blows for attack and defence, and their application
The principles of posture, balance and using / controlling energy
Developing physical strength and mental awareness
Moving meditation
Working creatively with the instincts of the six animals of the quarterstaff
The cultural roots of the quarterstaff

9th November: Workshop in Kidderminster

2008-10-13T15:36:00.001+01:00

The BQA will be running a quarterstaff workshop at WildWays on the Borle near Kidderminster on Sunday 9th November from 10 am to 12.30 pm. This will be an introduction to the basics of quarterstaffing, including combat, exercises in improving posture and awareness, and developing warrior skills through the six animals.If you wish to attend, contact us by email to obtain directions. Public transport is poor, but we can arrange transport from Kidderminster. Open to men only. Cost £5.

May Weekend 2009

2008-10-13T15:35:00.000+01:00

Advanced notice for the weekend of May 15-17th 2009. This is for an open-to-all-men BQA weekend, friday evening to sunday lunchtime. Venue is WildWays on the Borle near Kidderminster.

New London Class starting 11th October

2008-09-02T19:42:00.005+01:00

A new beginners' class is starting in West London on 11th October. The class will run from 11am to 1pm on Saturdays at the West London Academy in Northolt, and the cost is £6 per session.

The West London Academy is in Compton Crescent, Northolt, UB5 5LP (a map is given below). You will need to ring the buzzer at the gates. We meet at the school's main entrance hall.

Training staffs will be provided - or bring your own staff if you have one.

If you're travelling by bus, routes 90, 120, 140 and 282 all stop along Church Road. If you're travelling by tube, Northolt is the nearest station (on the Central line).

For more information contact Gwil on 07908 762647 or email gwil@gwil.wanadoo.co.uk

View Larger Map

Quarterstaff at Tribe of Doris 2008

2008-07-14T16:59:00.002+01:00

The British Quarterstaff Association is running a daily class at Tribe of Doris, a festival running from 20th to 25th August near Wellington, Somerset. In addition to the daily 2-hour staff class there are dozens of daily workshops in drum and dance. Tribe of Doris is learn-and-participate not lay-back-and-be-entertained, and is highly recommended especially if you want to improve your drumming skills. Pictures from last year are here.

Quarterstaff Weekend May 2008

2008-02-10T18:34:00.000Z

Details of the quarterstaff weekend are now available here. It will be on the May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May), and will cost £75 including food. We will be camping in private ancient woodlands in Herefordshire. The weekend is suitable for beginners and the more advanced (men only).

Book now as places are limited !

Quarterstaff weekend in Yellow Wood

2008-01-14T17:46:00.000Z

The British Quarterstaff Association will be running a weekend from May 2nd to 5th (early May Bank Holiday) at Yellow Wood, a private woodland near Hereford. It is open to beginners as well as experienced quarterstaffers. More details and booking form will follow shortly. Cost is expected to be about £75.

New video and photos

2007-09-20T13:18:00.000+01:00

Video and photos from the recent Bristol workshop are now up in the gallery. The video shows the first six strikes from the basic sequence.

The workshop was outside on the Clifton Downs, in brilliant sunshine, and we competed with the local footballer league in making noise as we battled!

Making a quarterstaff

2007-08-31T23:27:00.000+01:00

A question we often get asked at workshops is the best way to make a staff. The best answer is not to cut a staff at this time of year! The trouble with cutting saplings when they're full of sap is that they're more likely to split. One way of preventing this is to cut your sapling and not to strip off the bark but to stand it upright in a pot of teak oil. You'll find the sapling will absorb a surprising amount of oil and this will stop it splitting. For the top of the sapling, slosh as much oil as you can over it and wrap the end in plastic to reduce evaporation, and add more oil every week. Wait two or three months before stripping off the bark and shaping the staff.

The best time to cut saplings is in winter (December, January) when they contain a lot less sap. You can fashion a staff straight away from a winter-cut sapling.

And it does have to be a sapling. Heartwood is no good because it's too stiff. A quarterstaff needs some spring in it, which is why really stiff woods like sycamore are no use.

Avoid saplings with large knots, heavily decayed branches or fissures in the bark- these often signal weakness in the wood.

The best British woods for staffs are oak, hawthorn and blackthorn. Ash is OK but does tend to split and for the surface to flake off. Hazel is fine for a beginners staff but warps a lot and will break if hit hard. Softwoods (pine, fir, spruce) are too light and will also break. We don't really know about foreign woods but reckon that for North America, hickory would be good because it's used for making axe handles.

Bristol Workshop 15th September 2007

2007-08-31T11:58:00.000+01:00

The British Quarterstaff Association is running a workshop in Bristol on Saturday 15th September.

It will run from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.

We will do foundation training for beginners and there will also be sessions in which those who have already done some quarterstaffing can improve their skills.

Cost is £10 (unwaged £5). Staffs will be provided.

Please email Chris at christaff@mac.com if you would like to come and we'll send venue details.

Pictures from Tribe of Doris

2007-08-31T11:51:00.000+01:00

New pictures are in the gallery from the Tribe of Doris. Chris and Gwil ran four two-hour workshops and about 80 men participated overall. Thanks, Doris - we enjoyed it and also improved our drumming skills. In brilliant weather, we were on a flat grass field and did work on combat sequences, sparring, using peripheral vision, mind-body-weight coordination and using the qualities of the six animals.

Quarterstaff workshop at Tribe of Doris

2007-08-25T12:45:00.000+01:00

Members of the BQA will be leading workshops at the Tribe of Doris this weekend. The Tribe of Doris is a festival / camp type thing with lots of different workshops. Photos to come!

British Quarterstaff Association TV Clip

2007-08-25T12:38:00.001+01:00

New video posted, originally filmed by the BBC in London in 1999. The video gives a good introduction to what we do!

Welcome!

2007-08-25T12:32:00.000+01:00

Here is the new blog, which will bring the latest news from the British Quarterstaff Association.