NOISY social club steward John Winspear was left speechless when members threw a surprise bash to mark his 25 years' service.

John, 49, who took over from his father behind the pumps at Holgate Working Men's Club, York, in 1980, was duped into thinking the party was to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary.

John's wife, Chrissy, 49, who is technically his boss as the club's secretary, spent six months hatching the plan with other committee members.

The steward, who says he is currently the second longest-serving in the city, was handing out prizes for the club's annual Christmas draw in the concert room when president Alan Potter announced why they were really there.

The venue, which was packed with John's friends, had already been decked out in party balloons for the bogus anniversary.

John Smiths Brewery area manager John Weatherall presented John with two tickets for Magnet Cup race day at York, as John is a racing fanatic, and members had clubbed together to buy him a bronze of two horses.

"It was a fantastic night and a total surprise to him," Chrissy said.

"We managed to get away with him not finding out what we were up to.

"John's face went puce when Alan announced it. He has never been stuck for words before.

"As a person I admire him greatly - he is my best friend."

John, who has owned several racehorses over the years, and is affectionately known as Winnie, said: "The job is long, hard and trying, but it has certain rewards.

"You meet a lot of friends and the club is like a big family really. Something different happens every week.

"It's great to carry on the tradition started by my father."

The Evening Press previously reported that John had built up a collection of nearly 2,000 thimbles from all over the world.

Club regulars are challenged to bring him back thimbles when they go on holiday - the more unusual the better.

John caught the thimble-collecting bug 20 years ago when he saw a display at a pub in Great Yarmouth.

Extract from An Ode To Winnie, written and read out by club president Alan Potter

We are here tonight for Mr John Winspear

To help him celebrate his 25th year

The steward's job passed from father to son

The way things always used to be done

He loves his crib, doms, bowls and darts,

But you don't want to be near him when he starts

His infamous wind goes to high places

And can bring wrinkles to the hardest of faces

Updated: 09:32 Tuesday, December 20, 2005