New president Janet Ince chose Dr David Sargent, a retired doctor from Bewdley, as her first guest speaker.

Like his father before him, Dr Sargent had a long career as a GP, and he recalled his own childhood in his father's practice and his own early experiences in the profession.

He grew up used to both "panel" and "private" patients, and stressed the important role his mother played. There were fewer women doctors in those days, and lesser operations were carried out by a GP surgeon.

He began his association with Wyre Forest when he came as locum to the old Church Street practice, which was followed by the offer of a position in Bewdley.

Patient care included a pastoral role in an area from Cleobury Mortimer to Rock, Arley and Claverley, when home telephones and cars were rare.

The talk concluded with anecdotes about some of his former patients.