ADVICE & GUIDANCE DURING PERIOD OF NATIONAL MOURNING

Advice and guidance for BF clubs and members on the period of National Mourning following the demise of BF’s patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Last updated: September 13th, 2022 – Added link to the The BF Book of Condolence page. The book closes on Tuesday, September 20th at 11:59pm and can be read here.

On September 8th, 2022, Buckingham Palace announced the death of BF’s patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The thoughts of everyone at British Fencing are with the Royal Family at this time.

Alongside the collective sadness that many of us will be feeling, we are aware that many of our members will have questions relating to what this now means for fencing activity in the coming days and weeks.

This page aims to provide information, advice and guidance throughout the period of National Mourning and will be updated regularly.

BF’s protocol during this time includes:

• BF has placed a black banner on the website following the announcement from Buckingham Palace.
• BF’s social media channels will show a black image throughout the period of national mourning and all social media activity has been paused.
• Non-essential news posts on the BF website have been paused.
• BF has opened a Book of Condolence which will be published on the website and sent to The Royal Family. The Book closes on September 20th at 11:59pm.
• BF’s President, Chair and CEO will present the members’ messages and sign the Book of Condolence on behalf of BF’s members.
• BF’s President will send a letter of condolence to the King and The Royal Family.
• BF will follow advice and guidance provided by DCMS when available and share this to our community via this page, which will be updated regularly.
• BF will close on September 19th, the day of the State Funeral.

Events

The Royal Household has released official guidance on the period of national mourning which includes sporting events.

There are several events and activities scheduled to take place during this time including:

• The Cadet and Junior Championships – scheduled to take place on September 17-18th in Nottingham.
• Other fencing events and licensed competitions scheduled during this time.
• Athletes representing GBR at international events.
• University Officer Training.
• Partner Coach Education Training.
• World Fencing Day – September 10th.

Events during the National Mourning Period (not including day of State Funeral):

The official guidance states that:

“There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.”

BF intend to follow National Mourning Period event protocols for the Cadet and Junior Championships, which include:

• A minute’s silence will be observed on each day prior to the start of fencing and will be announced around the venue ahead of time. Athletes holding a weapon at this time are welcome to salute at the end of minute’s silence.
• Officials and volunteers will wear black ties/armbands/pocket squares.
• Athletes may wear black armbands/tape (non-fencing arm for foil and epee only) or black sock bands (sabre).
• There will be no live streaming or social media during the event. Images and video will still be taken for later use.
• The event will be closed to public/walk-in spectators. Friends and family of fencers are still welcome to attend.

Fencing event organisers may want to consider similar measures at their discretion during this time.

Events on the day of State Funeral:

The official guidance states that:

“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.

‘If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions. As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”

The State Funeral has been announced for September 19th, 2022. A bank holiday day of national mourning has also been announced for this day. The BF Head Office will be closed on September 19th.

Clubs and Members

The official guidance states that sporting events do not need to stop during the period of National Mourning. Clubs do not need to close. BF appreciates that clubs and members may want to pay their respects to The Royal Family at this time and there are several ways to do this including:

• Sending a message of condolence to the BF Book of Condolence for publication on the BF website (link here).
• Signing The Royal Family’s Book of Condolence which can be found here.
• Sending a floral tribute (guidance on sending floral tributes is within the guidance here).
• Observing a minute’s silence at club sessions.
• Placing a black banner on the club website and social media.
• Sharing a reminder of the club welfare officer’s contact details with all members.

If a club session is scheduled for the day of the State Funeral, it is at the discretion of the club as to whether to go ahead. Clubs may want to consider canceling or adjusting the time of sessions to accommodate State Funeral procession and service timings. They may also choose to play the National Anthem, observe a minute’s silence, or wear black armbands/sock tape on the day.

BF will not be sharing social media posts about World Fencing Day on September 10th. Clubs and members are welcome to still recognise the day in their own way and any World Fencing Day sessions do not need to be cancelled. BF will share any images and stories about World Fencing Day provided by clubs after the period of National Mourning is over.

Partners, Projects and Programmes

BF would like to thank our partners for their support at this time.

GBR Selections

GBR Selections will be posted on the website here and athletes will be notified by email about selection. BF will not be posting on social media about selections. Please check the latest news and your email inbox for selection information.

Useful Links:

Gov.uk information following the Queen’s death.

National Mourning Guidance

The Royal Family Book of Condolence 

Add a message to the BF Book of Condolence

Any questions? Please contact us here.

Are you OK? We recognise that this news will affect people in different ways.  If you are struggling please reach out, more information about avenues of support can be found here.