2011 UK Butterflies Outstanding Contribution Award

[Pete Eeles]

As mentioned on the homepage:

"I'm delighted to announce that Guy Padfield is the recipient of this year's UK Butterflies Outstanding Contribution Award. Guy was presented with his award in his adopted country of Switzerland by last year's winners, Gary and Lisa Richardson. Guy received a copy of "Ecology of Butterflies in Europe" in recognition of the specific contribution Guy has made in fostering an interest in European butterflies through both UK Butterflies and his superb personal website at http://www.guypadfield.com - Pete Eeles".

Gary, Lisa, Guy

I really can't thank Guy enough for his contribution over the years, especially with regard to the help he has given many of us in identifying European butterflies. It's been a real pleasure to spend some quality time with Guy this week in Switzerland (report to follow!) - and buy him the many beers I owe him

Cheers,

- Pete

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Pete,
You couldn't have made a better choice - a more deserving candidate doesn't exist. Congratulations Guy.
Best Wishes, Neil

[Padfield]

As you know, Pete, it's been a real pleasure showing you around out here and meeting all the group. You don't owe me any (more) beers!

Thank you for the book, and for the chance to share the butterflies with you all.

Guy

EDIT: And thanks Kipper, too!

[Ian Pratt]

Having myself lived abroad (in France) when I was more in to birds than butterflies, I really appreciate Guy's contributions and photos. I am a little bit envious too as I am sure some others are, but it is great to have a roving reporter in one of Europe's hot spot countries for butterflies. A very well- deserved award.

[Lee Hurrell]

I completely agree - well done and well deserved, Guy. Congratulations!

Not only does your knowledge and passion for our wonderful butterflies shine through in all you write about them, but your care for their well being and their habitat is, I hope, clear to all.

I'd also like to thank you for all the ID help you have (and will have ) helped me with.

PS - you have a stunning eye for a photo too

All the best,

Lee

[Susie]

I agree. You well deserved the award just for being such a smashing chap.

[celery]

As a relatively new member on the site I hope you won't think it inappropriate if I add my congratulations too.

It was the kind comments I received from Guy (alongside Lee Hurrell, Charles Nicol, and others) when I began posting my diary that encouraged me to become more active on the site and develop a greater interest in butterflies in general.

I'm sure I'm like many others in that, when I log onto ukbutterflies, it's the contributions of Guy Padfield and Sussex Kipper that I click on first. Always entertaining and thoroughly informative. Cheers!

[Vince Massimo]

Many congratulations on your award Guy. A very well deserved and popular choice I would say .
I honestly don't know how you manage to find the time to attend to all of your butterfly-related activities. You have also established a trade-mark photo style which is refreshingly natural and does justice to the lovely range of species that you have there. I look forward as always to your diary entries.

Best Regards,
Vince

[Zonda]

Congratulations Guy. A worthy recipient indeed. Keep up the good work, and taking those unique pics. Thanks to your input i am gradually being turned on to the Leps of Europe, although constipation does set in if i leave my beloved Dorset.

[ChrisC]

anyone who has a butterfly photography style named after them (padfield moments) is a good choice by me. well done Guy. it's only years of smoking and lack of a passport that stop me coming over too.

and while i'm here a thank you to Pete for the site too. without either it just wouldn't be the same.


Chris

[Padfield]

Thank you all very much for the kind comments! I'm flattered and a little embarrassed - honestly!

Chris, William McGonagall gave his name to a style of poetry too...

Thank you again.

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

and while i'm here a thank you to Pete for the site too.

Thx Chris, much appreciated - although I do always consider the success of this website to be down to its members, without whom ...

Cheers,

- Pete

[Gruditch]

It's been a real pleasure to spend some quality time with Guy this week in Switzerland (report to follow!) - and buy him the many beers I owe him

Too many beers as it turned out, that was funny

Regards Gruditch

[David M]

He gives his time so willingly and is a Godsend when it comes to ID queries (as I have recently experienced).

Well deserved recognition.

[Paul Wetton]

After spending some time with Guy (The Mountain Goat) Padfield during my trip to Switzerland I can only re-iterate the comments of everyone else here.

On a personal note I just wish to thank you Guy for your help during our stay in Switzerland and for the quality time we spent with you.

An utterly top bloke with a great sense of humour. Shame we couldn't stay a bit longer.

Many thanks Guy and keep up the great work.