JAMIE Chudleigh, Looe Rowing Club's chairman for the past seven years, was the toast of the Cornish Pilot Gig world after scooping a county-wide honour.

The dynamo who keeps the Looe club turning out successful crews, especially in the junior ranks, was voted Cornwall's 'Community Volunteer of the Year' at the Cornwall Sports Awards banquet, held at Newquay's Atlantic Hotel.

Chudleigh received his award from former Bath and England rugby captain Phil de Glanville and TeamGB triathlete and former international surf lifesaver Mark Lewarne, who is assistant coach to the Carn Brea Swimming Club in West Cornwall.

And their endorsement of the Cornwall Sports Partnership's accolade for the Widegates man will have been echoed by Chudleigh's many friends and gig rivals not only in Cornwall but across Devon, Somerset and Dorset where the sport continues to grow.

The award recognises the time and commitment which Chudleigh has devoted to the club, contributing to the recent successes when the under-16s A crew became county champions, and the club finished fourth overall in the Cornwall Pilot Gig Association Tribute series run over the summer.

Chudleigh also makes time to support the Looe RNLI and is a keen member of their crew.

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