Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who wrote the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, is to be granted the Freedom of Sefton.
The prolific author and screenwriter, who was born in Bootle and still lives in Sefton, will be given the honour at the full Sefton Council meeting at Southport Town Hall next Thursday (13th November 2025).
He will join other notable figures such as Donald “Ginger” McCain, Jamie Carragher and Alex Greenwood in receiving the borough’s highest honour.
In their citation, Sefton said: “Mr. Cottrell-Boyce was born, and still lives, in Sefton. He is internationally renowned as a screenwriter and author, and is the Children’s Laureate.
“His work includes a range of TV shows, films, and award-winning novels and children’s books.
“He is also renowned as the writer of the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.
“Mr Cottrell-Boyce began his literary career as a screenwriter in 1987 ,writing initially for television, before moving on to film in 1995.
“After receiving multiple awards for his screenwriting, Mr Cottrell-Boyce started a highly-successful career as a children’s novelist. His first children’s novel, Millions, was published in 2004 and won the Carnegie Medal. His next two children’s novels, Framed and Cosmic, were also shortlisted for awards.
“In 2011 he was commissioned to write the sequel to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and there followed three books, all highly successful. In 2012 his novel The Unforgotten Coat was awarded the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award.
“After writing over 14 children’s novels and campaigning on the importance of reading for children, Mr Cotterell-Boyce was named Children’s Laureate in 2024.
“Mr. Cottrell-Boyce is patron of both Y-Kids (and their Kingsley & Co store in Bootle Strand, in partnership with Sefton Council) and of the Reader Organisation.
“Mr. Cottrell-Boyce became a patron of Y-Kids and their bookshop at the very beginning of the project in 2019. His support has included launching their first shop, and the Bootle Children’s Literary Festival, offering free school visits, launching a book of short stories written by local children, and hosting a Q&A event with an audience alongside a 13 year old author who had just published her first book.
“He has delivered teacher workshops, spoken at the Believe Awards, recorded workshops for the Haye Festival from Kingsley & Co in Bootle, and promoted this outstanding work in Bootle outside of the area.”
Claire Morgans, CEO of Y-Kids, describes Mr. Cottrell-Boyce as: “always full of humility and encouragement, he makes every child feel valued and special. His books so often feature Bootle and always in a positive light. He is passionate about encouraging children to read and write their own stories, use their imagination and create, understanding that this is the gateway to wellbeing, success and a happy life.
“Frank is generous with his time and a real blessing to our community and families. We were delighted when he was recognised as the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate – so well deserved. “We are so indebted to him for his support. Kingsley and Co is now reaching thousands of children every year promoting a love of all things story and changing lives. Frank has been an integral part of that.”
Sefton Council has the power to grant the Freedom of the Borough to a person or a service unit of distinction who have rendered eminent service to the borough and it is proposed that Mr. Frank Cottrell-Boyce be granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough.
The conferring of the Freedom of the Borough upon any individual or service unit is the highest honour the Council can bestow.
When the Freedom of the Borough is granted to a service unit, they are given the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating, and bayonets fixed.
The scrolls of Honorary Freedom and organisations awarded Freedom of Entry to the Borough are displayed in both the Mayors Parlours at the Town Hall, Bootle and the Town Hall, Southport.
Honorary Freemen / Freewomen may attend and take part in such civic receptions and functions to which all Members of the Council are invited.
Past recipients of the Freedom of the Borough have been:
2004 – Donald “Ginger” McCain
2006 – James Carragher
2022 – Alex Greenwood
2023 – Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
2023 – Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
2023 – Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2023 – Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust
2025 – Sefton CVS
The Freedom of the Borough (Freedom of Entry) has also been bestowed on the following Service Units:
1982 – No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, which was subsequently succeeded by No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 (North West) Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) in 2001
2011 – RAF Woodvale
2017 – Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
2023 – HMS Mersey
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