Signed Elgar Manuscript found

An Edward Elgar manuscript that dates back almost 90 years has been found in a "dusty" folder in a council building in Leicestershire.

Officials were clearing out a strongroom when they stumbled across the artifact. As well as the original, signed, handwritten manuscript, they found several letters penned by the English composer and an old film reel.
 
The manuscript, titled Carillon Chimes, was written for a carillon, a large instrument containing many bells. It was composed for the opening of a memorial, the Carillon Tower, in Queen's Park, Loughborough, in July 1923, to remember local soldiers who had died in the First World War.
 
Experts believe that the film reel, which has been sent away for examination, will show the opening of the tower.
 
While copies of the manuscript exist, the original had not been seen since it was donated to Charnwood Borough Council in the 1950s.
 
Councillor Paul Harley said: "This is a vitally important piece of Charnwood's history which has been tucked safely away for too long.
 
"I'm thrilled that this beautiful piece of work by one of Britain's finest composers has been re-discovered, particularly in this Olympic year when the eyes of the world focus on all things British."