Listen to this article:The game of bingo has always been centred around community and earlier this month, there was a particularly moving demonstration of this principle at Buzz Bingo Cricklewood – the same Buzz venue recently acquired MERKUR.
The Buzz Bingo club paid tribute to the memory of one of its long-term team members, Stephen Sabapathy, by renaming its Jackpot Lounge as “Stephen’s Suite”. A special ceremony took place on Saturday, 22 February, at the club, at which the club’s Deputy Manager Amos Mataba spoke, as well as Stephen’s son Jon and a number of the club’s regular players.
Impressively, the club and its customers also raised £1,250 for Harefield Hospital Charities, which provided care for Stephen in his final days.
Sabapathy worked as a machine engineer at the Cricklewood club for a decade, where he was well-known and respected for his “generosity, kindness and wicked sense of humour”.
Prior to joining Buzz Bingo, Sabapathy enjoyed a long and diverse career in gaming. He worked for the amusement arcade Namco Funscape on London’s South Bank before moving into bingo. Those who knew him said that he was famous for his long-winded jokes, which endeared him to customers and staff alike.
Buzz Bingo Cricklewood has not only renamed its Jackpot Lounge but also redesigned it in Sabapathy’s honour, drawing on his life and Sri Lankan heritage. The colour scheme is based upon the Sri Lankan flag, with an intricate lotus flower pattern that represents his roots and bells that represent both his church faith and the game machines that he worked on throughout his career.
The tribute was designed by Craig White, the Deputy Manager at Buzz Bingo Cricklewood, and he aimed to pay tribute to the work Stephen did at the club in the ten years they worked together. Speaking ahead of the event, White said:
“As a team, we are deeply saddened by the loss of Stephen, who was not only a dedicated colleague but also a friend to many of us here at Buzz Bingo Cricklewood. I had the privilege of working alongside him for many years, and his unwavering commitment to the team left an indelible mark on all of us. Designing this new suite in his honour was a personal way for me to pay tribute to the incredible work he did and the positive energy he brought to the club every day. Stephen’s legacy will continue to inspire us, and this space will serve as a reminder of the lasting impact he had on our team and this community.”
The event was also attended by Sabapathy’s family and they spoke about the role the bingo community played in his life and how much he loved those he worked with.
His son said:
“Our family is deeply touched by the dedication of ‘Stephen’s Suite’ in honour of my father. Buzz Bingo was more than just a workplace for him, it was a community he cherished. This tribute beautifully reflects his heritage, faith, and passion for his work. We are grateful to everyone involved in keeping his memory alive in a place he loved so much.”
Those who visit the bingo club in Cricklewood are sure to be impressed by the newly opened Stephen’s Suite at Buzz. The club is open around the clock, so those who wish to can visit at any time and explore the area and the games it houses. The club also hosts daily bingo sessions, offering players plenty of chances to win and at any given time, there are several promotional offers to take advantage of.
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