Just now putting the final touches to my Elgar Society talk for Saturday; broadcast from our island off the Swedish coast. I’m nervous on many levels: historical (the Vikings are not really ‘my period’); musical (I’m no musician); but mostly technological. It’s going out via Zoom, of course; but how will that cope with my Power Point illustrations and musical examples? And can I rely on the WiFi we have out here? My kind fellow Elgarians arranged two rehearsals for me last week, but I’m still not altogether confident. Kajsa will be at my shoulder, however. She’s more experienced with Zoom.

If you want to learn about ‘Elgar and the North’, or to see me messing things up, I believe you can tune in to it from wherever; on Saturday at 2 p.m., GMT. Just follow the instructions below. (Or don’t, and save me the embarrassment.)

‘The next virtual meeting is being promoted by the Yorkshire and North East Branch and is entitled Elgar, the North and King Olaf .  The presentation will be delivered by Bernard Porter and will take place on Saturday 28 November 2020 at 2.00 p.m. via Zoom.  All Society members are welcome to attend as are non-members, so feel free to recommend this presentation to friends and family, but be sure to encourage them to join the Society too!  If you would like to attend, please contact yorkshire-NE@elgar.org, who will pass on access details.’