Family and friends joined legendary Wirral singer Charlie Landsborough at Wallasey Town Hall last night as he received Wirral’s highest civic 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.
The event was attended by several notable guests, including Ricky Tomlinson, Stan Boardman, Billy Butler, Lady Ann Dodd, and screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, who trained as a teacher at the same time as Charlie.
A Proud Ambassador for Birkenhead
During the ceremony, Wirral’s Mayor, Cllr Brian Kenny, praised Charlie’s character and his unwavering pride in his roots.
He recalled an instance where the singer showcased his local loyalty on an international stage:
“I know he holds Wirral in the highest regard and is proud to tell everyone where he is from.
“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’.”
The Mayor further described Charlie as a “true gentleman of the highest order,” noting that his songs resonate with so many because they are rooted in everyday life and personal humility.
He added that the Freedom of the Borough was an honour that was “not only thoroughly deserved, it is long overdue.”
A Career Defined by Perseverance
Now 84 years old, Charlie Landsborough was 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 performed in various bands and as a solo artist from the 1960s, he balanced his musical ambitions with other careers, including a tenure as a teacher at Portland Primary School.
His major professional breakthrough did not arrive until 1994, when he was 53 years old, with the release of the hit “What Colour Is The Wind.”
The song earned him immediate success in Ireland and subsequently the UK.
At the UK Country Awards in 1995, the track was named both ‘best single’ and ‘best song by a British songwriter.’
Charlie’s influence on the local landscape was further solidified in 2024.
As part of a local competition celebrating the talent of north Birkenhead, he was chosen by public vote to be featured in a mural by artist Paul Curtis on the side of Birkenhead North railway station.
Throughout his career, Charlie toured extensively and performed at prestigious venues such as the London Palladium and the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.
Accepting the honour last night, Charlie thanked his wife, Thelma, and his family for their lifelong support.
He told the invited guests that receiving the Freedom of the Borough was one of the best days of his life, marking a definitive moment in his long-standing connection to the Wirral community.
