Led by district councillor Jack Waterfall and the mayor's husband Terry Overall, they have researched the 1944 event, unearthing a Pathe News clip and contacting surviving members of the two crews with their wives.

Four of them, plus one of the Cambridge reserves, joined civic leaders, members of city organisations and some of the spectators who packed the river banks to watch Oxford pip Cambridge by three-quarters of a length.

First stop - announced by Town Crier Avril Hayter (pictured) - was Ely Library, where an exhibition has been set up with pictures, news and memorabilia. It was opened by Dr Michael Brooks, the Oxford No 3, and Ian Phillipps, the Cambridge bow. Dr Brooks said he never thought he would be part of history while Mr Phillips said the exhibition was wonderful.

They were joined by Ben Cochrane, the Cambridge No 2, Martin Whitworth, the Cambridge No 4, and David Paul, the Cambridge reserve, as they logged on to the new Diamond44 website - diamond44.com - that includes the newsreel shots of the 1944 race.

But the highlight of the day was a cruise aboard the Riverboat Georgina from Jubilee Gardens to the River Lark, where the crews had started the race. On the way back, they were again cheered at the finish just below Queen Adelaide bridge by villagers who turned out to see the cruise into history following last week's story in the Standard.

There was an air of excitement amongst all on board as the oarsmen returned to the scene of their youthful exploits for the first time in 58 years, fortified by Boat Race soup prepared by local chef Dominique Bregeon. None could remember the course very clearly, saying that they were concentrating on keeping in time with the man rowing in front of them.

But they exchanged reminiscences among themselves and with their hosts and much of the conversation was recorded on video for a future documentary that it is hoped will be screened on television - possibly around the time of the recreation of the race on its diamond jubilee in 2004. As it happens, it will also be the year of the 150th University Boat Race on the Tideway in London.

Published in the Ely Standard of November 8, 2002