The Hebden Cup

The Hebden Cup, generously donated by Denis Hebden, was presented annually (with a few small gaps) between 1992 and 2014 by the Salle to individuals in the wider world of fencing deemed by the Salle’s Award Committee to have made a significant contribution to the sport of Fencing which has not readily been recognised by the sport’s more obvious organisations.

The Salle’s Award Committee of three arrives at its decision unanimously, endeavouring to reflect the aspirations and views of its Members generally. The Salle’s members are not excluded from consideration for the award except to the extent that they form the Selection Committee.

It is hoped that the award of this Trophy will be revived.

Recipients 1992 - 2014:

1. 1992 Bill Wilson - In recognition of his services to fencing
Achieved through his contribution as a Coach of the highest standing over a period of forty years.
2. 1993 Derrick Cawthorne - In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution over many years both as an exceptional Fencer and as a President of the highest standing and for the excellence of his technical advice and support given to his fellow fencers.
3. 1994 Ian de Whalley - In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution over many years both as a Fencer of distinction and as a dedicated Administrator and for his maintenance of the very highest sporting standards on and off the piste.
4.1995 Derrick Sweeney - In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution as a Coach of the highest standing over a period of forty years.
5. 1996 Joe Shackell - In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution as Chairman of Surrey County Fencing Union for over ten years and for the enthusiasm which he engenders in the County’s clubs and fencers.
6. 1997 Roy and Angela Goodall - In recognition of their services to fencing Achieved through their contribution as Coaches of the highest standing.
7. 1998 David Freeman - In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution as a dedicated Club Admininstrator and a fine Coach over a period of thirty years.
8. 1999 Brian Ergis (posthumously)- In recognition of his services to fencing Achieved through his contribution as a dedicated Coach of the highest standing.
9. 2000 Keith and Terry Reynolds - In recognition of their services to fencing Achieved through their contribution as dedicated Club Admininstrators over a period of years.
10. 2001 Malcolm Fare - In recognition of his services to fencing Salle Joseph’s prestigious Hebden Cup for ” services to fencing” was awarded for the tenth occasion at the Salle’s annual Dinner, to Malcolm Fare, the Editor of The Sword. The Hebden Committee’s citation draws attention to the singular contribution that he has made to the sport of Fencing through his editorship of this magazine over the seventeen years of his tenure. His stalwart service on the BFA’s Foil Committee work, and his representations as a Veteran fencer, were also brought into the reckoning. The Hebden Cup seeks to recognise the contributions made to Fencing by individuals who do not necessarily receive such recognition from the Sport’s wider participant base and the Salle takes pride in the nine such previous awards made. The Members have no doubts that Malcolm’s inclusion in the Roll of Recipients can only enhance the Hebden Cup’s standing within the Fencing fraternity.
Malcolm Fare
11. 2002 Linda McMahon - In recognition of her services to fencing Salle Joseph’s prestigious Hebden Cup for “ services to fencing” was awarded for the eleventh occasion at the Salle’s annual Dinner, to Linda McMahon who was accompanied by her husband, Gerald. Linda, five times National Women’s Foil Champion and veteran of three Olympic appearances (achieving 8th in Los Angeles in 1984), has been an outstanding fencer for many years and she is one of that rare few who has stayed with Fencing to put her time and talents back into the sport. The citation recognises that she has made a signal contribution to development of young fencers over the years, both as regional and national officer for development, which, together with her “on the piste” achievements at national and international level, makes her a worthy recipient of this award. The Hebden Cup seeks to recognise the contributions made to Fencing by individuals who do not necessarily receive such recognition from the Sport’s wider participant base and the Salle takes pride in the ten such previous awards made. Linda’s efforts in bringing fencing to young people are not forgotten by many of those whom she helped. They are certainly not forgotten by the Members of Salle Joseph.
Linda McMahon
12. 2003 Joseph Gibbons - In recognition of his services to fencing Salle Joseph’s prestigious Hebden Cup for “ services to fencing” was awarded for the twelfth occasion at the Salle’s annual Dinner, to Joseph Gibbons, Salle President. The Hebden Cup seeks to recognise the contributions made to Fencing by individuals who do not necessarily receive such recognition from the Sport’s wider participant base and the Salle has taken pride in the eleventh such previous awards made. Under the direction of the Dinner’s principal officiating officer, Edmund Gibbons, and with the full complicity of the Guest of Honour, Marion Thomas, the Members took a vicarious pleasure in “turning the tables” on the Salle’s President, Joe Gibbons. He became the twelfth recipient of the Cup, for his contributions to both running Salle Joseph for the past eighteen years and for his enthusiastic commitment and drive in the Salle’s successful and popular Twenty Four Fencing Marathon event (of which there have been seven).
Joe Gibbons
13. 2004 Marion Thomas - In recognition of her services to fencing Salle Joseph’s prestigious Hebden Cup for “services to fencing” was awarded for the, luck for some, thirteenth occasion at the Salle’s annual Dinner, to Marion Thomas. The Hebden Cup seeks to recognise the contributions made to Fencing by individuals who do not necessarily receive such recognition from the Sport’s wider participant base and the Salle has taken pride in the twelve such previous awards made. After Marion’s help last year in enabling us to award the cap to our President Joe we were able to award the cup to Marion. A year later than Joe thought but he will one day forgive us I’m sure. Marion became the thirteenth recipient of the Cup, for her contributions to fencing.
Marion Thomas
In 2005 the trophy was Unawarded.
14. 2006 Trevor Langford - In recognition of his services to fencing Trevor Langford became the fourteenth recipient of Salle Joseph’s prestigious Hebden Cup, awarded for services to fencing. Closely involved with Combined Circles and still coaching at Kingston, Wimbledon and Guildford clubs, he received the Cup in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport both as an excellent competitive fencer, as a highly regarded Coach and Club Leader and as a superb County organiser. Since Trevor is widely respected throughout Surrey and South East region, Salle Joseph’s choice as the current recipient of the Cup will a popular one.
Trevor Langford
15. 2007 Peter Huggins – In recognition of his services to Coaching, Refereeing and Armoury
Between 2008 and 2010 the Trophy was Unawarded
16. 2011 Janet Huggins – In recognition of her services to Coaching and Armoury
In 2012 and 2013 the Trophy was Unawarded
17 2014 – Roger Barnes (posthumously) – In recognition of his services to Fencing, Fencing Administration and Sportsmanship