Wirral songwriter becomes Honorary Freeman of the Borough

Family and friends joined legendary Wirral singer Charlie Landsborough at Wallasey Town Hall as he received Wirral’s highest civil honour.

The country and folk music artist was bestowed the title of ‘Honorary Freeman of the Borough’ at a special ceremony hosted by Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr Brian Kenny.

Elected members had agreed to the honour at an Extraordinary Council meeting held in March 2026 in recognition of Charlie’s dedicated service to the borough over a number of decades.

Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr Brian Kenny, said:

“Charlie stands alongside the best of people, being a true gentleman of the highest order, a special and unique person who always has time for people and will never let anyone down.

“I know he holds Wirral in the highest regard and is proud to tell everyone where he is from. When he appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, he was introduced as being from Liverpool… he quickly corrected that, telling the worldwide audience ‘no, I’m from Birkenhead’.”

Talking about the impact that Charlie’s career has had on others, the Mayor described why he believed people were so moved by his songs.

“It is due to his songs being all about everyday life and his own humility. He is a very humble, down-to-earth person and always has time for his fans. He has inspired countless numbers of people through his music and his songs filled with empathy and storytelling, reflecting on the values of the community that raised him.

“The Freedom of the Borough is an honour not only thoroughly deserved, it is long overdue.”

84 year old Charlie Landsborough was actually born in Wrexham in October 1941, the youngest of 11 children, his family moved back to their home in Birkenhead following the World War II bombing raids on the area.

Although he had played in a number of bands and as a solo artist from the 1960s – combining that with a number of other jobs, including as a teacher at Portland Primary School – it wasn’t until 1994 aged 53 that his big break arrived with the release of “What Colour Is The Wind”, which led to success in Ireland, then in the UK.

At the UK Country Awards in 1995, “What Colour Is The Wind” was named both ‘best single’ and ‘best song by a British songwriter’ and the album of the same name was also named ‘Best Album by a British Act (recorded anywhere)’.

Further critical and commercial success followed in the UK, Ireland and worldwide as Charlie toured extensively, playing at major venues including the London Palladium and the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.

In 2024, as part of a local competition and vote aimed at celebrating the talent and creativity that has emerged from north Birkenhead over the years, Charlie was chosen  to be painted onto the side of Birkenhead North railway station by the artist Paul Curtis.

Charlie and his family were joined at the ceremony by guests such as Ricky Tomlinson, Stan Boardman, Billy Butler, Lady Ann Dodd and screenwriter, Jimmy McGovern, who trained as a teacher at the same time as Charlie.

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