In her letter, Barbara Ferris supports Roger Morgan's plea for us all to back Hereford's UK City of Culture bid, (readers' times, April 14).

May I suggest a selection panel, for the bid, would also be interested in past achievements and their legacies, as this could, perhaps, indicate that the county would be likely to build on the legacy of a successful bid. This was very much the thinking of the Olympic Committee, some years ago.

An example could be the success of the Elgar Statue Project for Cathedral Close. The idea that some recognition of Elgar's long association with the county was mooted. A committee was formed and fundraising commenced. Leaflets and an exhibition were produced and Sir Roy Strong added his weight by opening the latter. There were concerts, exhibitions, visits to his former homes and other fundraising events.

A competition was organised for a sculptor and we were very fortunate in selecting Jemma Pearson. After years of work and planning the statue was unveiled by Dame Janet Baker at a grand occasion at the Cathedral.

The Hereford Times was very supportive throughout and the excellent articles by Nigel Heins raised Elgar's profile and were used in the exhibition.

Elgar's musical legacy is currently very much in evidence with county choral societies to perform The Kingdom, later this year, and The Dream of Gerontius, next year. The former was written at his Hereford address Plas Gwyn, and the latter famously witnessed, at his county address 'Birchwood Lodge', near Storridge.

I am pleased to say that the Courtyard is to display a maquette of the statue with a quote from Elgar's 'The Music Makers' - 'We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams'. Wouldn't it be wonderful if representatives of those involved in composing, playing, singing, producing and promoting music in the county could gather round the statue with a banner of this quote. Who could refuse us?

Richard Bradbury,

Much Cowarne