New sculpture of ‘Dan the Dog’ unveiled at riverside in Hereford.

Group gathered around ‘Dan the Dog’. From left to right front: Cllr Kevin Tillett; Cllr Dan Powell, Mayor of Hereford; Helen Bowden, High Sheriff of Herefordshire; Mrs Victoria Harley; Edward Harley CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire; Cllr Jesse Norman; The Right Reverend Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford; Cllr Roger Phillips. Back row: Head Guide Joy Roderick and Guide Angela Eaton.

On Saturday 26th July, Herefordshire Community Foundation was pleased to attend the unveiling of the new ‘Dan The Dog’ statue on the riverside, as part of the Three Choirs Festival 2025.

The new sculpture was carved by Saul Sheldon in the Stonemason’s Yard at Hereford Cathedral, just a few metres from where Dan once lived and replaces the original Dan sculpture, installed in 2002. The original sculpture, carved in wood, had become damaged over time due to weather and flooding.

Thanks to support from the Hereford Guild of Mayor’s Guides, and funding from our Becket Bulmer Fund, The Elmley Foundation and Hereford City Council, a fresh and resplendent tribute to Dan has been crafted from Forest of Dean sandstone.

The new Dan sculpture sits on the banks of the River Wye at Bishops Meadow, Hereford and features in Guild guided walks and is number 9 on the Hereford City Sculpture Trail.

Dan, the original bulldog, was a cherished companion of George Robertson Sinclair, the former organist of Hereford Cathedra and friend of Edward Elgar.

In 1898, while walking along the River Wye with his friend Edward Elgar, Dan tumbled into the water — an event that left a lasting impression.

Elgar’s orchestral piece, the Enigma Variations, features 14 movements, each inspired by a different friend. The 11th variation was devoted to Dan, vividly capturing his fall, his energetic swim upstream, and his triumphant bark upon climbing out.

The Guild of Mayor’s Guides said, “It is pleased and proud to have been able to bring this project to fruition, with the generous support of the 3 grant givers.  Dan has become a well-loved riverside resident, and we are delighted that he can continue to charm locals and visitors alike, for many years to come.”

As part of the project, the Guild of Mayor Guides engaged with Herefordshire Primary schools by holding a competition for local children to make a drawing or painting of Dan, creating a local heritage learning opportunity. Prizes were awarded to the competition winners at a presentation event on Saturday afternoon and the artwork is on display until the end of the Three Choirs Festival in the overflow seating marquee on Cathedral Green.