MAYBE someone from York City Rowing Club should give Wilf Mellor a big diamond.

For, astonishingly, Wilf has just celebrated his 60th anniversary as a committee member of the club.

The 82-year-old, from Fulford, was elected club secretary back in January, 1947. Since then his name has appeared in every book of general meeting minutes, including this year's.

Over those decades he has held pretty much every post there is, including secretary, chairman, treasurer, regatta secretary and regatta treasurer. He is currently club president and, although he admits he is likely to step down later this year, he is also a trustee so will remain as a committee member.

Gill Porteous, York City Rowing Club captain, said: "The club owes a huge debt of gratitude to Wilf for his dedicated service and support which has enabled the club to develop into one of the most widely respected amateur rowing clubs in the country.

"Since that date 60 years ago Wilf has always held a position on the committee. "So sixty continuous years of outstanding service to rowing not only in the City of York but in the region and for the Amateur Rowing Association."

Regarding the ARA, Wilf was chairman of its North East Council for six years. He was also on the Yorkshire and Humberside Rowing Council between 1968 and 2000, holding posts as secretary, treasurer and chairman, as well as being the divisional representative and on the ARA regatta committee.

He has also been an ARA qualified umpire for more than 30 years and was awarded the ARA Centenary Medal in 1982.

If that's not enough, Wilf spent six years as the Yorkshire and Humberside Sports Federation representative for rowing.

Furthermore, his abounding interest in rowing crosses over into sport as a whole, as illustrated by the fact he was on the York and District Sports Council executive committee for 33 years, including ten years as treasurer and two five-year spells as chairman.

Wilf, along with wife Marjory, attend York regattas regularly and the oarsmen and women know he is still quite a force to be reckoned with.

Wilf first joined the York club in 1942. In 1943 he joined the Army, was wounded in action and came out of the Army in 1946. A few months later, he was first elected onto the club committee.

Asked where his enthusiasm comes from, he said: "I've always had many close friends connected to the club.

"It's something I've always been interested in and I've always enjoyed it."