Flying high as a model citizen

When Paul Morgan bought his sons their first Lego kit he never dreamed that it would lead to Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson complimenting him on his building abilities.

“I had always been interested in construction after listening to my grandad talking about buildings and steam engines, and the way they are put together,” says Paul, aged 66.

“The first building set I had was a Bayko when I was eight-years-old, which was little plastic bricks and steel rods that could be used to create houses and garages.

“My fascination in building came back when my three sons were young. Ian, Steve and Dean all loved playing with Lego and I used to sit on the floor with them building things. Then 35 years ago I started getting back into modelling when Dallas was on the TV.

“I have always been a speedway fan but I would always race home afterwards to watch the show and catch glimpses of the Southfork ranch.

“I built the ranch out of cardboard and balsa wood and it was just an achievement to build something so intricate. It often took several months to create each model as I had a full-time job as a driver for a welding company in Blackheath.”

It is Paul’s models that are made from matchsticks which have attracted some attention.

“One of the first planes I made was a model of a Boeing 747 and eight years ago it went on display at Virgin’s Club House at Heathrow for 18 months,” he says.

“When my wife Joyce and I took it down there we were treated like royalty, it was great going into the Club House where the celebrities normally go. A couple of days before Christmas in the year 2000 my whole family were sitting in the front room having a laugh when the phone rang.

“My youngest son went to answer and he came back into the room saying there was someone called Richard on the phone for me. I thought it might be someone from work, but when he said it was Richard Branson I couldn’t believe it.

“He said what an interesting model I had made.”

Paul has also made 20 gypsy caravans out of matches, many of which he has given to friends and model fanatics around the world.

“Two of the gypsy caravans are in Arizona, two are in California and eight are at a gypsy caravan site in Cornwall – the owner gave me £10 for each one,” he says. “This is not the kind of thing you can make money from, it is just a hobby, but I’m pleased if someone else can take pleasure from them.

“I have made several aeroplanes including an A330 Thomas Cook model, which is at the Thomas Cook shop in Halesowen.

“Among my other models, which I have made out of balsa wood, is an exact replica of Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford.

“There is everything in my model that is in the house so there are beds, a book cabinet with tiny books, the staircase and a log fire.

“Some of the buildings are ones that I have made up such as the Mary Rose Inn and the Clocktower Inn.

“I produced the two Spanish villas after a holiday in Spain and I have made dozens of picture frames.”

So, what it Paul’s next project?

“A few weeks ago the Express & Star had a poster of the Wolves Speedway team,” he says. “I’m going to make a special frame for the poster out of matchsticks and it will have all of the riders first names around it

“Picture frames are not too difficult to make, it is the planes which are the hardest because matches are straight and square but I’m trying to make something that is curved and round.

“I don’t get frustrated with it – if there is something I can’t do I leave it and think about the problem until it eventually clicks and then I’m off again. Working with small bits of wood and glue means you have to be patient – but I have had plenty of practice after 45 years of marriage.”