The February meeting took place at the Penmere Manor Hotel where the chairman, Malcolm Wilding, introduced fellow member, John Wrighton, to talk about his medical career.

John attended East Barnet Grammar School and wanted to be a farmer. However, his headmaster persuaded him to study medicine instead which was good advice and a lucky break for joint replacement patients.

He was accepted at the Charing Cross Hospital to study medicine in 1952. At this time there were only forty-five medical students which ensured an excellent comprehensive training.

Qualifying in 1956 he chose to do his national service as a doctor in the Royal Navy where he was encouraged to pursue his running career at international level which culminated in his competing at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and was captain of the British Athletics Team. In order to gain further experience John went into general practice for fifteen months and then decided to apply to study to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

He was accepted at the Middlesex Hospital as a vascular surgeon in the very early days of this branch of surgery. He then became a General Surgeon in Hampshire and eventually got the opportunity to specialise in orthopaedic surgery becoming a Registrar in Exeter which was at the forefront of the development of joint replacements.

He was part of the team that developed the world renowned Exeter Hip which revolutionised hip replacement surgery. In 1972 John was appointed a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Weymouth and District Hospital where he built up a very successful Orthopaedic Department, helped further develop joint replacement surgery and travelled the world lecturing and teaching on these developments. He spent over thirty very happy years there.

John finished his riveting talk by saying that the changes in the practise of medicine and the developments of new drugs and treatment constitute a revolution which is ongoing.

In his vote of thanks Nigel Rees Johnson, who has had a hip replacement in recent times, thanked John for his gripping talk and for the part he played in developing the miracle cures.

The club welcomes new members, for more information contact Vincent Conran on 01326 212237.