Former county organiser of the Cornwall Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, J Wesley Wilton, has died aged 82.

As county organiser from 1946 to 1957, Wesley was instrumental in the formation of several new clubs and encouraged a significant increase in membership. As a meticulous administrator and popular organiser with a fine sense of humour, JWW, as he was often known, established an unrivalled reputation within YFC circles.

He helped build a strong foundation for the Cornwall Federation from St Buryan YFC in the west to Stratton YFC in the north. He retained his involvement in YFC activities long after his term as county organiser and his interest in the movement continued for his lifetime.

Wesley was involved with many organisations - agricultural, charitable and religious. He was a council member of the Royal Bath and West Society and Chief Steward of Sheep Shearing.

He was, for a period, secretary of the World Council of Sheep Shearing and was a steward at the Royal Cornwall Show and a former president and steward of Liskeard Show.

He was also a former president of the Lions Club of Callington, a former secretary of the South West Brass Band Association and a governor of several schools. In addition he enjoyed a lifelong involvement within the Methodist Church being a local preacher for 55 years. In 1996, Wesley was awarded the MBE for services to his local community.

An indication of the respect and affection in which he was held was shown when more than 400 people, including ten former YFC county chairmen, attended a service of thanksgiving for his life at Callington Methodist Church.