The Hereford dog who inspired legendary composer

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Dan the bulldog is the surprising hero of Elgar's 11th Enigma Variation, and was commemorated with a wooden statue unveiled in 2002. After flood damage left it in a sorry state, funding from Hereford Guild of Mayor's Guides helped to create a new sculpture of Dan, this time carved in local sandstone, and will be back on the banks of the River Wye. The original Dan was a much-loved pet of the former organist at Hereford Cathedral, George Robertson Sinclair (pictured). In 1898, he was walking along the River Wye with his friend Edward Elgar when Dan fell into the water. Image credit: Unknown