Elgar in Hereford

The composer, Edward Elgar (1857-1934) is much celebrated in the west of England. He was born in the village of Lower Broadheath near Worcester and spent much of his early life near or in that city, and in London. He wrote for and had music performed by the Three Choirs Festival (Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford) as well as by Birmingham festivals. London saw many first performances of his major works. Between the years 1904 and 1911 he lived in Hereford in a house called Plas Gwyn. His connection with that city is celebrated by the 2005 bronze sculpture of the composer by Jemma Pearson near the cathedral. It shows him with his Sunbeam bicycle, for many years his preferred method of transport around the countryside he loved.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Elgar and the K6

Any depiction in Malvern, Worcestershire, of a Victorian/Edwardian man with a droopy moustache, is invariably a picture of the English composer, Edward Elgar (1857-1934), who lived in the town. A garden near the centre of the settlement features a statue of him. A would-be Banksy must be responsible for the cartoon representation placed next to the K6 version of the telephone kiosk, and humour must be the reason for the green mobile phone. A quick image search turned up the original photograph on which the cartoon is based, the modern artist having removed the bicycle that Elgar is holding.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100