Widow, 81, finds 'focus' in masters degree

An 81-year-old woman, who was repeatedly mistaken as a tutor, has graduated from a university course that gave her purpose after bereavement.

Wendy Hill, from Ledbury, completed a master of research degree about Alice Elgar, the wife of world-famed composer Edward Elgar, at the University of Worcester.

She said: "I loved being a student again - it gave my life a focus and, as a widow, I needed that to ground me."

Her thesis is due to be published in the Elgar Society Journal.

Mrs Hill, who is also the chair of the West Midlands branch of the Elgar Society, felt Alice Elgar "deserved more acknowledgement and recognition".

The poetry and fiction author married Edward Elgar in 1889 and lived with him in homes around Worcester and Hereford.

Some of her poems were set to music by the composer, but only one "small book" has been written about her, Mrs Hill explained.

"I had always been interested in Alice as so little was known and written about her," she said.

"I feel that her contribution to his creative genius has not been acknowledged properly in common with many wives, sisters, daughters and partners of creative people."

The graduate, who previously completed a degree while her children were studying for O and A levels, said she felt proud of her accomplishment.

She encouraged other mature students to follow in her footsteps, despite being "mistaken for a tutor a few times".

"My best memory of my time at the university is the kindness and having fun with my fellow students," she added.

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