West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed news that the legacy of Edward Elgar will be preserved in Worcestershire. The world-famous composer was born in Lower Broadheath and lived at addresses across the county and his works are synonymous with the landscapes of Worcestershire. Questions have been raised about how local people will be able to preserve the legacy of the composer after some manuscripts were transferred to the British Library as part of the terms of Elgar’s daughter’s will. And Harriett contacted both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Elgar Foundation to ensure that the county will continue to mark the life and works of the composer. Much of the so-called Birthplace collection remains in Broadheath and is available for the general public to view and more than 20,000 people have visited The Firs since it was re-opened under National Trust management. The manuscripts and some letters have been moved to the British Library where they will be digitised, allowing people to access the resources online. Harriett commented: “I have received a detailed briefing from the Elgar Foundation regarding the circumstances surrounding the moving of the original manuscripts to the British Library which was a term of the will of Clarice Elgar. “I am also satisfied that people wishing to study the papers will be able to once they are digitised and this will go a long way towards ensuring future generations don’t lose out. “But I am also reassured that Elgar’s legacy will be preserved across the county and the National Trust is doing a great job managing The Firs, which was his birthplace in Lower Broadheath. “We are rightly proud of the composer and I hope that this discussion about him and his legacy has done much to stimulate more interest in his life and works.”