Sir Edward Elgar statue should stay in Hereford city

Mr Parry is correct when he says that Elgar only lived in Hereford for a short period.

However, whilst living in Hampton Park Road between 1904 and 1912, he composed a great deal of important music, as well as a number of smaller scale works.

ALSO READ:

• Five stunning Herefordshire buildings named on Historic England at risk list
• Herefordshire children’s services still making ‘too slow’ progress - Ofsted
• Inside Bulmers: how world-famous Hereford cider is made

I say this makes him a significant figure in the history of the city. He goes on to suggest that Alfred Watkins is more deserving of a statue, and indeed there is a strong case for such a monument. However, to suggest that Elgar’s statue should be torn down and and replaced with one of Watkins is absurd.

Many would agree that Watkins is worthy of commemoration in Hereford, but surely the city is not so crowded that there is too little room for both Elgar and Watkins.

STUART FREED

Worcester, chairman of the Elgar Society