FOREST historian and musician Maurice Bent has succeeded in his quest to hunt down the piece of music composed by Herbert Howells which was scored for the homecoming of Lord Bledisloe after his stint as Governor General of New Zealand.
Mr Bent, of Ruardean, is a keen enthusiast of all things musical in the Dean and a great admirer of the Lydney-born composer who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his age.
Mr Bent had the words to 'A Song of Welcome' written by local poet F.W. Harvey and set to music by Howells.
"I was desperate to find the music but without success. I would like to thank the Review because as a result of the story about by quest I eventually heard from the wife of the author Anthony Bowden who was able to let me have a copy," said Mr Bent.
"As you can imagine I am over the moon. I had almost given up hope of every finding the music. It is very exciting," he said.
Mr Bent is contacting other local people interested in Herbert Howells and his contribution to British music.
"I strongly believe he deserves more than a plaque on the side of a house. There should be a proper memorial," he said.