Skirmish is an outdoor Historical European Martial Arts event including a variety of weapons systems from dagger to smallsword, archery and armoured fighting .
Running this year from the 25th to 26th of April 2026, our Spring event, is held at Ripley Nurseries in Ripley, Surrey, near Woking, around 30 miles south of London. Held across the two weekend days, there are a number of classes, demonstrations, competitions and traders.
Our mission objective for Skirmish is to try and bring a range of martial arts activities to HEMA practitioners that they may not be able to encounter at other events with a fun, welcoming attitude.
Attendance Information
The site will open at 6pm on the Friday, and classes will begin at 9am the following morning. When you arrive, turn right through the nursery car park and continue into the adjacent field. Please follow the Marshal on duty’s directions to the car park. Please note parking capacity is limited. Where possible we request that you try to carpool.
Checking In
Once on site you will need to present your EventBrite app or a copy of the QR code for your ticket. Check in, and you will receive a wristband. Please wear the wristband for the duration of the event.
Taking Part
A detailed timetable PDF will be uploaded within 48 hours of the event here and on EventBrite. Classes are not pre booked, simply arrive at the appropriate arena five minutes before they are due to begin, with the right equipment where possible.
Food and Drink
The nurseries on site sell cold food and drink, there are a number of local shops and pubs selling hot food nearby.
Camping
Please note camping facilities are rudimentary. We do not have access to water for a shower block, but there are portable toilets available throughout the event, and access to the toilet block at the garden centre during opening hours.
The Lineup
The lineup of instructors and classes is:
Jack Butcher & Matt Easton of Schola Gladiatoria – Mixed weapon tournament
Fran Lacuata of School of the Sword – Coached sparring and solo flow drills for various weapons
Gavin Locke, Martin Godsave & Pete Maydon of Call to Arms – Armoured Fighting from Diverse Treatises
Jack Butcher of Schola Gladiatoria – Spear vs everything
Chris Halpin of York School of Defence – Frontier fights
Lauren Ireland of York School of Defence – Umbrella self defence
Mark Gilbert of Riddle of Steel – Melee Games with various weapons
Sam Ackroyd of Bath Historical Martial Arts – The Semblance of Celerity with various weapons
Nick Thomas of Academy of Historical Fencing – Close-Quarters Steel: Fighting with the Cutlass & Hanger with Cutlass/hanger/short sword
Rich Brandes of School of the Sword – three weird tricks to level up & end the plateau with Sidesword and Longsword
Alex Verrier of Schola Gladiatoria/London Longsword Academy – Sparring games from Thomas Page Broadsword/sabre/sword with a knucklebow alone
Jacek Kaminski & Mateusz Leksander of Thumb Shooters UK – Traditional Asiatic Archery learn and shoot
Liz Scott of Art of Arms – Field Games for HEMAists with various weapons
Jordan Mock of Academy of Steel – Sword & Shield Vs All Comers with Sword & Shield + Various weapons
Melissa Hainsworth of Academy of Steel – Binding, Beating & Baffling Bullies with Longsword
Kindred Willow of Glasgow HEMA – Joachim Meyer’s fencing with Dussack
Ben Halbert of Academy of Steel – Buck Around and Find Out! Getting into Sword and Buckler
Matt Easton of Schola Gladiatoria – Big Knife Life; from Marozzo to Biddle