We are immensely proud to announce that one of our most dedicated and influential members, Mike Stone, has been presented with the prestigious Leopard Award for outstanding service by the Surrey County President Dave Aburn.
This is a tremendous and fitting honour, not just for Mike, but for our entire club, as it recognises the immense, multi-faceted contribution he has made to Bletchingley Bowling Club and the wider sport over many years.
What is the Leopard Award?
For those who may not be familiar with it, the Leopard Award is one of the highest accolades presented by the Surrey County Bowling Association. It is not an award for winning a competition, but rather for something far more fundamental to the health of our sport: outstanding service.
The award is named after the leopard found on the heraldic crest of Surrey County, symbolising honour and heritage. It is presented at the discretion of the County President to individuals who have shown exceptional and selfless dedication to the game of bowls at a club or county level. Recipients are the unsung heroes of our community, and the Leopard Award honours those who are the very lifeblood of our sport.
Why Mike is the Perfect Recipient?
For anyone at Bletchingley Bowling Club, this award is the perfect recognition for a man who has been a pillar of our community for decades. An active member since 1993 and a key figure on the committee since 2009, Mike’s service has been passionate, loyal, and professional in every respect.
His impact can be seen across the entire club. For many years, he has been our main point of contact with Tandridge District Council, a crucial role he has handled with great skill. His tireless work behind the scenes has been instrumental in securing vital grants that have allowed our club to improve its facilities for all members.
This isn’t just about paperwork; Mike has always been hands-on in organising the upkeep of the club and has often been found helping out personally with repairs and improvements. Most recently, and significantly, members will have seen his dedication first-hand in the superb improvement of our driveway and parking facilities – a major project that required countless hours of letters, emails, and follow-up calls to bring to fruition.
On top of all this, Mike has also served as our Press and Publicity Officer, organising and advertising our Open Days to help attract new members, all while continuing to play bowls competitively himself.
On behalf of everyone at Bletchingley Bowling Club, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Mike Stone. He truly embodies the spirit of the Leopard Award: an individual whose long-term dedication and hard work have left a lasting, positive legacy.
Next time you see Mike at the club, please be sure to give him a pat on the back and congratulate him on this fantastic and thoroughly deserved achievement.
Well done, Mike!
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