AFI Members Sweep the Podium at the British Open Fencing Championship
It was a fantastic result for AFI members at today’s British Open Fencing Championship, sponsored by McVeigh Parker, with AFI members taking every place on the podium at APF 2026.
Fifteen two-person teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Switzerland took on the demanding four-hour competition, constructing 60 metres of stock fencing using hand tools only.
After four hours of competition, the results were:
1st – MJ Evans Fencing & NS Quan Fencing
Mark Evans & Nic Quan
2nd – PDR Contracting & SRM Fencing
Peter Redgwell & Stuart Miles
3rd – East Kent Yard & Paddock Fencing & Davis Fencing
Matt Cooper & Louis Davis
Mark and Nic’s victory also sees them retain their title as British Open Fencing Champions, another impressive achievement against a strong international field.
For the AFI, it was particularly pleasing to see that all three teams on the podium are AFI members, demonstrating the skill, experience and workmanship that exists within our membership.
There was another nice connection for us too, with many of those standing on the podium also forming part of the team that supports our AFI Best Practice Days, generously giving their time and sharing their knowledge and practical skills with others in the industry.
Competitors were judged on the quality and accuracy of their finished fencing, including straightness, wire tension, post alignment and knot work – making the clean sweep by AFI members something we are particularly proud to celebrate.
A huge congratulations to Mark and Nic, Peter and Stuart, and Matt and Louis, and well done to all of the teams who took part in today’s competition.
It was a brilliant showcase of professional agricultural fencing and the skills within our industry – and a fantastic day for AFI members.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
October is Almost Here – Have You Booked for Kirkley Hall?
We’re into the final countdown to the AFI & AFA Autumn Best Practice Day, taking place at Northumberland College – Kirkley Hall Campus on Thursday 15th October.
If you’ve been seeing our updates and thinking “I’ll book that nearer the time” – nearer the time has arrived!
The day is all about practical, real-world fencing knowledge. Our Best Practice Day team includes experienced working contractors and national and international fencing competition winners, sharing the skills and experience they’ve developed out in the field.
Expect practical demonstrations, opportunities to ask questions and compare techniques, industry suppliers and manufacturers, and plenty of time to talk fencing with others who understand the job.
It’s suitable for experienced contractors, employees and apprentices alike – and at just £15 per person, including a breakfast roll and hot drink on arrival plus lunch, why not bring a couple of members of your team too?
Just over two weeks to go
- Thursday 15th October 2026
- 9.00am – 3.00pm
- Northumberland College – Kirkley Hall Campus, NE20 0AQ
- £15 per person including catering
Don’t get to 15th October and wish you’d booked.
👉 CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY
Fencing Subcontractors be AWARE!
HMRC issues warning over construction payslip fraud
- Site workers are being warned about growing levels of payslip fraud as HM Revenue and Customs cranks-up the number of criminals arrested and taxes recovered.
- Manchester and Liverpool are being targeted by HMRC in a bid to prevent the fraud which sees criminal groups run payroll or umbrella companies that sit in the supply chain between the worker and the construction site they work on.
- These groups deduct tax, National Insurance and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) contributions from workers’ pay but fail to pass them on to HMRC.
- Workers often do not realise this is happening, as their payslip or Pay Deduction Statement can still show the deductions as if they had been paid.
Edwige Hill, Deputy Director in HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “We are taking robust action to tackle payslip fraud while helping workers spot the warning signs of it.
“We are making arrests and recovering tax from the criminals and supply chains behind this fraud, plus working with trade bodies to raise awareness.
“We urge construction workers in Manchester, Liverpool and across the UK to check their payslips and compare them to their Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK, and report anything that doesn’t look right – it could protect thousands of pounds of your money.”
Workers should also be alert to other warning signs, such as not receiving a payslip or Pay Deduction Statement, receiving one that looks fake, or seeing deductions that do not match their Personal Tax Account.
They may also not recognise the company name shown on it.
Anyone with concerns should report it to HMRC by searching ‘report tax fraud’ on GOV.UK. They should keep hold of payslips, contracts and any evidence of deductions, as this will help HMRC correct their National Insurance record if needed.
See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-avoid-payslip-fraud
New Guidance: Creosote-Treated Fence Posts
AFI member Scanpole has produced a useful new guide covering the correct handling and storage of creosote-treated fence posts.
The guidance includes practical information on safe handling and PPE, storage requirements, installation considerations and precautions around surface water and public areas. It also provides an update on the continued use of creosote-treated fencing for safety-critical applications requiring compliance with Service Factor D under BS 8417.
For anyone supplying, storing or installing creosote-treated fencing products, it’s well worth a read.
Right to Works Checks Extended
From 1 October 2026, liability for right to work checks will be extended to include sub‐contractors, agency workers, and casual and temporary workers, and the Government has published guidance setting out what employers need to do to be provided with a ‘statutory excuse’ against extended liability if found to be employing someone illegally.
Under the new guidance, employers must have the following in place for workers who they are not in a direct contractual relationship with:
- Contractual terms and conditions – Before work commences, there must be a written statement in place incorporating a number of specific terms and conditions, which include requiring the other party to carry out prescribed right to work checks on any individual employed and prohibiting further sub-contracting of the work without prior written consent.
- Substitution controls – Where a contract permits substitution, processes must be in place to ensure that a prescribed right to work check is carried out on any substitute before work takes place.
- Identity verification – There must be proportionate systems to ensure that the individual carrying out the work is the same individual on whom a right to work check has been conducted, which may include workplace passes, facial recognition technology or biometric systems.
There are a number of options available for ensuring individuals are legally entitled to work in the UK, and employers conducting right to work checks in accordance with the guidance will receive a statutory excuse, which protects them from liability in the event that they are later found to be employing someone illegally. Without a statutory excuse, employers face significant penalties, which could be up to a maximum of £60,000 per worker.
Inheritance Tax Reform
Build UK is supporting thecall from Family Business UK for the Chancellor to review the changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief introduced by the previous Government, warning that they are affecting businesses across the country, including those in construction, and leading to reduced and cancelled investment, recruitment freezes, and forced sales of businesses.
CITB Workforce Report
The latest CITB Workforce Mobility and Skills report shows that workers are becoming less willing to travel long distances for employment, making it difficult for employers to recruit from outside their region. It highlights the need to focus on developing local talent pipelines through stronger relationships with schools, colleges and training providers.