Ian Rawstron was just 14 when he first stepped on the deck of HMS Pinafore.

But that voyage sparked a passion for the works of Gilbert and Sullivan that has lasted six decades.

Ian, from Riddlesden, will this spring celebrate his 60th year involved with productions of the duo’s comic operettas.

He will again take up the baton to lead the orchestra in Bingley Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Yeomen Of The Guard.

Ian has worked with the Bingley society for around 15 years and before that spent many years with the Haworth G&S group. Ian made his debut appearance in 1954, playing a midshipman in HMS Pinafore with a Burnley church’s operatic society.

He performed G&S operettas with other Burnley groups until 1958 when he went to Leeds University, spending his university years with Leeds G&S society and choirs in Leeds and Newcastle.

Time with Bradford performing groups was followed in the 1970s and 1980s with many principal roles for the Haworth group, based at West Lane Baptist Church.

He then moved into conducting, and since the late 1990s has been musical director in productions for both Bingley G&S and Bingley Amateurs.

Ian said: “I was in Haworth G&S for a long time and I played parts there for years. Bingley needed someone to play the judge in Trial By Jury, so I stayed with them. I was in both societies for a long time.”

Ian’s last stage performance was about 15 years ago.

Yeomen Of The Guard portrays topsy-turvy tales of the men guarding the Tower of London, including several romances, hoped-for romances and threatened executions.

It will be staged at Bingley Arts Centre from April 28 to May 3. Ticket prices range from £8 to £14.

Call 01274 567983 or visit ticketsource.co.uk to book tickets.