Maidenhead & Windsor

Sir Edward Elgar – one of England’s most acclaimed composers and the man behind the music of Land of Hope and Glory – will be commemorated at a special ceremony in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough next week.

The Windsor and Maidenhead Mayor, Cllr Leo Walters, will be at Monkey Island Lane in Bray on Wednesday August 1 to unveil a blue plaque at Long White Cloud where Elgar was a frequent visitor in the early years of the last century. At that time the property was known as The Hut, occupied by the composer’s friend and patron Leo Francis Schuster, and it is generally believed that it was there he composed amongst other works the slow movement to the Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op 61 (1910).

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Walters said he was delighted by the recognition of Elgar’s association with the Royal Borough, particularly during this official Year of Elgar which marks the 150th anniversary of his birth in June 1857.

He said: “While Elgar’s work is acclaimed across the world, he is best known to most of us for his stirring Land of Hope and Glory which is still played on many big occasions today, including the Last Night of the Proms. The blue plaque at Long White Cloud is a fitting local tribute to a man whose music has brought great pleasure to many people all over the world.”

After the unveiling the Mayor will introduce Dr Relf Clark, secretary of the London branch of the Elgar Society, who will speak on behalf of the society.

The suggestion for the plaque came from borough resident Dr David McBrien, who has been a member of the London branch of the society for over 40 years. He will be attending the unveiling ceremony along with other members of the society who will be hosting a reception afterwards in the Monkey Island Hotel.

This is the second Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough blue plaque with links to Land of Hope and Glory – in November 2006 Eton College was the venue for an unveiling ceremony to commemorate A C Benson, who wrote the lyrics.

Blue plaques are approved by the council only in very special circumstances to honour people who have carried out exceptional work or are remembered for particular achievements, or to mark famous events.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead