AS a native of Malvern, who crossed over the hills when marrying a Herefordshire lad, it is with sadness I write this letter.

On reaching more mature years I have become an avid fan of Elgar's music and challenge anyone not to be moved by Nimrod and find it very evocative of the wonderful hills at the foot of which I lived out my childhood.

In Hereford, there has been great debate as to how to commemorate Elgar's links with the county, for example a statue, and if so what story should be exhibited.

Thus inspired, I read the biography of the great man and decided on a visit to my sister, who lives in Malvern, to visit his grave and that of his wife and child.

Mistakenly, my husband and I called at Little Malvern Priory, a delightful and beautifully kept jewel of a church, where a friendly local directed us on to St Wulstan's Church further up the road. We parked the car and followed the signs. I was saddened to follow the trail around the church past two seemingly abandoned cars to eventually find the grave.

The grave itself was tended in a corner of the graveyard and someone had obviously taken time to plant flowers. However, one would have expected something more for such a great man.

I felt Elgar himself would have wanted to view the countryside and all one can see is a thick barrier of unattractive hedge.

We came away with our illusions very dented, and saddened that such an amazing man somehow had not ended up in keeping with his vision.

On returning home, I returned to complete the biography and read that it was Elgar's wish to be cremated and his ashes scattered where the Severn meets the Teme, perhaps a more fitting conclusion to the life of such a man.

If Malvern Hills District Council has a little money to spare perhaps it would be well spent on improving the general appearance, approach and vista of Elgar's final resting place so others will not be disappointed.

MRS JENNIFER HUGHES (nee Jenkins), Aulden, Ivington, Leominster.