Respected Colne GP dies

A HIGHLY respected Colne doctor who was a GP in Colne for 40 years has died at the age of 87.

Dr John Bryson, who first served in Colne with Dr John Eadie in Albert House in 1955, knew his patients well and was a friend to many.

Before coming to Colne, Dr Bryson worked as a GP in Dumbarton in Scotland. Throughout his career he was heavily involved in medical politics, sitting on many medical committees, including the Lancashire Family Practitioner Committee in Preston.

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He chaired the Lancashire Local Medical Committee for many years and was a powerful voice in support of his patients and GP colleagues and, such was the respect afforded to him, his view usually prevailed.

Before becoming a GP, Dr Bryson joined the RAF and was based in the Cotswolds, a role he thoroughly enjoyed. This was evident in his manner, deportment and especially in his sartorial flair. He would not approve of today’s casually dressed doctors.

A very sociable person, Iain was an active member of the Masonic Order and latterly, Colne Rotary Club. It was through Rotary International that he found himself in Hong Kong for six weeks tending to the medical needs of the Vietnamese boat people – a role he found extremely rewarding.

Dr Bryson was Glaswegian born and bred. He studied medicine at Glasgow University and met his wife, Moyra, in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

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He was a keen gardener with an interest in rhododendrons, and many a female visitor left clutching a bloom from his latest shrub. He was a family man and enjoyed being with his four grandchildren.

Some time after his retirement he and his wife moved to Kent to be near his family. He leaves his wife, daughters Fiona and Kathryn, and their families.

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