THE creator of a magnificent match-stick model of Ely’s Old Palace has been identified thanks to readers of the Ely Standard.

In last week’s issue we featured the story of the hand-made masterpiece, created using 30,000 matchsticks, which is desperately seeking a new home where it can be enjoyed by the public.

The replica model, which is believed to represent the Old Palace as it would have looked in the 17th Century, was left behind by the former inhabitants of the palace, Sue Ryder Care, where they left the building in 2010.

The model was inherited by the King’s School when they took on the building but has been sitting in cling film in a small chapel since then, hidden from public view.

The school is keen to see the labour of love in the public eye and discussions are underway with Ely Museum about finding it a more permanent home.

This week, Ely Standard reader Diana Ball got in touch and told us about the creator of the work, the late Terry Abbott.

Mr Abbott was the husband of a resident at the home and volunteered five days a week so he could spend lots of time with his wife while helping to enrich the experience of other residents.

A former brewery worker, Mr Abbott taught the residents how to make matchstick models and his creations also included a replica of the cathedral. His Old Palace creation took about two years to complete.

Diana said: “He volunteered five days a week and was a wonderful man.”