Local author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who wrote the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and is the current Children’s Laureate, has been granted the Freedom of Sefton during an Extraordinary Council meeting at Bootle Town Hall.
The prolific author and screenwriter, who was born in Bootle and still lives in Sefton, was delighted to have been granted the borough’s highest honour.
This award recognises Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s exceptional contribution to arts, literature, and community life across Sefton.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce said:
“It’s a huge honour to receive the Freedom of the Borough from a place that has shaped so much of who I am.
“Sefton is full of stories, full of heart, and full of hope – and I’ve always tried to reflect that in my work. I’m deeply grateful to the Council and to the community for this recognition.”
By receiving this accolade, he joins an esteemed group of local figures, including footballers Jamie Carragher and Alex Greenwood, as well as the late Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain, trainer of legendary Grand National winner Red Rum.
Sefton Council has also granted the Freedom of the Borough to Sefton CVS as well as Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, recognising the dedication and hard work of their staff during the Covid‑19 pandemic.
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.
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