British Open Fencing Championship, sponsored by McVeigh Parker at APF 2026
The Association of Fencing Industries (AFI) will be well represented at this year’s British Open Fencing Championship, with several AFI member companies and contractors competing at the APF Exhibition at Ragley Hall on 25 September 2026.
Sponsored by McVeigh Parker as part of the APF Show, the championship will see 15 two-person teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Norway and Switzerland take on one of the toughest tests in agricultural fencing.
Competitors will have four hours to build 60 metres of stock fencing, including a turn, strutted and box strainers, using hand tools only. Teams will be assessed on the quality of their work, with judges looking closely at straightness, wire tension, post alignment and knot work.
McVeigh Parker’s British Open Fencing Championship has become one of the headline attractions within the APF Show, drawing competitors and spectators from across the UK and beyond. The event provides an opportunity to see experienced fencing contractors working under pressure while demonstrating the skills and standards required in professional agricultural fencing.
With many AFI members in the competition, the association will have a strong presence among the field. Their participation reflects the depth of experience and expertise within the AFI membership and the important role members continue to play across the fencing industry.
The championship forms part of McVeigh Parker’s wider fencing programme at APF 2026, which also includes the British Open Speed Fencing Competition. Together, the events highlight both traditional fencing skills and modern installation methods, giving visitors plenty to see throughout the show.
Competitors will be assessed by an experienced panel of judges drawn from across the fencing industry. The team includes Hugh Morrison of Strainrite, a global fencing trainer with decades of hands-on experience; James Hill and Andy Bartlett, both agricultural fencing contractors with more than 30 years in the industry; Charlie Wright, a former championship competitor who understands first-hand what it takes to succeed under competition conditions; and John Frizzell, a well-known figure in UK fencing with more than 50 years of involvement in the sector.
The winning team will be crowned the British Open Fencing Champion 2026 at 4pm on 25 September at the McVeigh Parker stand.
For the competitors, it is the chance to measure their skills against some of the best fencing contractors in the industry.
AFI wishes all competitors the best of luck and looks forward to following their progress throughout the competition.