Mic Coleman has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours “for services to sport and to the community in Hambledon”.
Mic has already been recognised locally for his unstinting work, particularly in relation to the village cricket and football clubs, but now his achievements have been acknowleged by Buckingham Palace.
His BEM was announced in the 2012 Birthday Honours List, published at the weekend. This was the first list since 1993 to have receipients of the BEM, which was reinstated to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The BEM is sometimes referred to as the “working class” medal as it celebrates the achievements of ordinary people and the dedication and hard work they put into their communities. Mic was one of 293 people from across the UK to receive the medal this year.
The medal was founded in 1917 but scrapped by John Major, in 1993, shortly after he became Prime Minister. David Cameron announced last year that he was reinstating the medal.
Mic has been a stalwart of village life since moving to Hambledon in the 1950s. He has worked tirelessly for the football and cricket clubs, becoming president of both, he is a past chairman of the parish council and has been involved in helping run a host of activities including the fete and produce show.
He and his wife Sylvia celebrate their diamond jubilee wedding anniversary this year.
The whole of Hambledon sends it congratulations to Mic on a richly-deserved honour.