IN THE absence of the president and secretary - both on the WI holiday to Italy - deputies Rita Cartwright and Margaret Jones took their places.

Discussion took place on the County Draft Day, the half-yearly council meeting, the proposed horse race night and the county skittles competition.

Because of holidays and other commitments, only 16 members were present to hear speaker Mr Bullingham, who was blinded in the Falklands conflict.

He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1962 and his chosen career took him to the Falklands.

There he suffered from the regrettable experiences and unfortunate consequences of war.

Four American planes, flown by Argentines and using British bombs, attacked his ship. This was followed by an attack by Mirage fighters from which he sustained his injuries.

Having completely lost his sight he was repatriated to England to receive hospital treatment and eventually to St Dunstan's, where 'the blind lead the blind'.

Mr Bullingham has regained a wonderful spirit of life after learning the three As of St Dunstan's - Acceptance, Adjustment and Achievement.

While retraining, he met his wife and one of his greatest thrills today is to go out cycling with her on a tandem.

The meeting on November 14 was the AGM.