I owe it all to War Horse, says Morpurgo
AUTHOR micHaeL morpurgo joked he would award his knighthood to his most famous creation, Joey from War Horse.
The 74-year-old was honoured for his contribution to the arts, alongside broadcaster meLVyn Bragg and author and historian Lady antonia FraSer.
Lord Bragg and Lady Antonia were both made members of the Order of the Companions of Honour, a rare award which recognises service of national importance.
Mr Morpurgo, a former teacher and Children’s Laureate, has written 130 books but said he believed he owed his knighthood to the overwhelming popularity of his 1982 book War Horse. It documents the extraordinary friendship between a young boy, Albert, and his horse Joey during the First World War. The book has won accolades around the world and become a West End play and a Steven Spielberg film.
Mr Morpurgo said: ‘There was never a knight that has owed so much to his horse as this one – and in fact, we will give the knighthood to Joey and call him Sir Joey.’
Theatre producer roSemary SQuire was awarded a damehood for services to theatre and philanthropy. With her now husband Sir Howard Panter, she co-founded the Ambassador Theatre Group in 1992, which now runs 50 venues around the world.
Artist and sculptor ricHard Long was knighted, and there were also awards for key figures from the Hay Literary Festival and the Hull City of Culture team.
Hay’s co-founder and director peter FLorence was awarded a CBE and its chairman, reVeL gueSt, was given an OBE. martin green, chief executive of Hull City of Culture 2017, received a CBE and chairman roSie miLLard and executive director FranceSca Hegyi were given OBEs. Grime music, popular with youngsters, was also acknowledged on this year’s list. ricHard coWie – whose stage name is Wiley – received an MBE for services to music along with grace LadoJa, who manages fellow grime artist Skepta.
Wiley, 38, who has been described as the ‘godfather of Grime’ and a pioneer of the underground scene, said: ‘I’m honoured to be receiving an MBE.
‘It feels like the school grade I wanted and didn’t get but now I’m finally there.’
Veronica WadLey, chairman of the Arts Council London, was awarded a CBE for services to the arts. A former journalist, she was previously editor of the Evening Standard and worked on the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph.