King's Lynn train modelling improved Australian man's health following tumour
A man from Australia who suffered a brain tumour has come to Lynn to meet with those who share his passion for train modelling.
Jon Colquhourn has family connections in Cambridgeshire and when young would visit Lynn for weekends on the train with his parents.
His dad started modelling trains in the 1960s and it has now been passed down to Jon and his children.
Following his stay in hospital in 2013, Jon, now aged 63 had to learn how to walk and talk and found that train modelling helped his fine motor skills.
He now visits West Norfolk every couple of years from Brisbane and during his recent visit last week along with his wife Francesca, he invited members of the King's Lynn and Watlington Train Modelling Group to catch up with each other meeting at the Eagle public house in Norfolk Street.
He said: "My Dad started modelling trains in the 1960s and I wasn't allowed to touch them until I was about 10.
"My mum put it away and my wife Francesca stored it for our boys.
"I was an airline manager for Quantas and when I was 54 they found a colloid cyst which affects the nervous system and if it's not taken out you die.
"I spent three months in rehab learning to talk and walk and swim.
"They said I would never work or drive again and the doctor said I needed something to make my motor skills better.
"Francesca suggested the model trains and told the neurosurgeons and I believe the train modelling has saved my life."
The attention to detail and intricacies of making the models which depict Watlington and Lynn stations help Jon to focus.
The Facebook train modelling group has gathered pace and members were invited to the Eagle pub on Norfolk Street while the couple were visiting.
Clive Sillis, from Lynn, joined the couple and said: "I am interested in trains and connected through Facebook."
Jon's wife Francesca said: "It (train modelling) has made a big difference to his life, we have a whole room which is just his train models for King's Lynn.
"It has helped with his fine motor skills building and also his mental health and given him that little bit of sanity."
