Mark Grafton, the founder of James Brindley of Harrogate, is the great nephew of the famous composer Edward Elgar. Throughout 2007, which marks the 150th anniversary of Elgar's birth, the company will be celebrating their family connection to this remarkable man.

For the first time in Harrogate the company exhibited their artefacts and memorabilia of Elgar's life at the James Street showroom in the days following their unveiling at the prestigious Harrogate International Festival earlier this summer. Part of the festival programme this year included themed events specially dedicated to 'Elgar in Yorkshire'. James Brindley of Harrogate have proudly sponsored both Wood Magic featuring James Bolam and Susan Jameson with the Medici String Quartet and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra finale concert performing the Concerto and Enigma Variations.

The wholesale division of the company, renowned for its exquisite silk fabrics, have named their new autumn collection 'Edoo' - this was the pet name used by Elgar's wife for her husband.

The next generation of the Grafton family are now managing the company as Mark Grafton has handed over the reins to his sons. Richard has grown his division from a small retail showroom to an impressive lifestyle store across four floors and has built up an impressive reputation as a home style guru at the head of the interior design service. His brother Simon has meanwhile developed the wholesale division and taken the company's enviable reputation for sumptuous silks and trimmings worldwide.

Please see our Elgar Press Release for further reading.