Elgar makes an Appearance on Michael Portillo's Great British Railway Journeys.
Elgar Birthplace Museum Supervisor Chris Bennett met with Michael Portillo to discuss Elgar and Worcestershire for the BBC 2 show Great British Railway Journeys.
A hot summer's day in 2011 saw Elgar Birthplace Museum Supvervisor - and our resident Elgar expert - Chris Bennett meeting with Michael Portillo at Great Malvern Station for a talk about Elgar and the effect advancements in rail travel had on his life.
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| Michael Portillo explores Britain by rail in Great British Railway Journeys |
This chat formed part of the Great British Railway Journey series which sees Portillo take to the country's railway tracks following George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guide. Portillo explores the way in which advancements in rail travel changed the face of Britain and he also bears witness to just how much of Bradshaw's Britain, as described in his guide, remains to be seen and experienced today.
In this episode Portillo travelled west from Oxford to Worcestershire and Malvern, at the very heart of Britain, to see the unique Victorian links in the area. He explores the home of Queen Victoria's favourite Bishop at Hartlebury Castle, the secrets of the famed Worcester Sauce and how the Malvern Water Cure drew health fanatics to the area in the late nineteenth century.
The railway was undoubtedly important to Elgar, ensuring he could travel from his beloved Malvern Hills to perform and record in London.
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| Chris Bennett speaks to Michael Portillo at Great Malvern Station |
We were thrilled to see Chris take part in the show and think he did a wonderful job. There is even some old footage of the Birthplace Cottage that makes an appearance, which was wonderful to see.
If you missed the show, catch it now on the BBC iPlayer.
