Morpurgo, Bragg, Fraser in New Year's Honours

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo has been knighted in this year’s New Year's Honours List, while author and historian Lady Antonia Fraser and writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg have joined the Order of the Companions of Honour, a reward for outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry or religion.

The Honours List also sees author and journalist Jilly Cooper awarded a CBE for services to literature and charity.

Meanwhile, Peter Florence, co-founder and director of Hay Festival, is awarded a CBE for services to literature and charity, and Revel Guest, chair of the Hay Festival, receives an OBE for services to literature.

Also awarded OBEs are Alison Wheeler, chief executive of Suffolk Libraries, for services to literature and libraries; novelist and screenwriter Deborah Moggach; Veronica Wadley, chair of Arts Council England; and dramatist John Godber. Inez Lynn, former chief executive of the London Library, received an MBE for her services to libraries.

There are awards to recognise the success of Hull City of Culture 2017, including a CBE for chief executive and director Martin Green and OBEs for chair Rosie Millard and executive director Francesca Heygi. Jonathan Pywell, city culture and place manager of Hull City Council, is also awarded an OBE for services to culture. 

The 2017 awards also include a knighthood for former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, a knighthood for musician Ringo Starr, a knighthood for singer-songwriter Barry Gibb, a damehood for dancer and “Strictly Come Dancing” judge Darcey Bussell, a CBE for actor Hugh Laurie, a CBE for ex-British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, and an MBE for hip hop artist Wiley, whose book Eskiboy came out with Penguin earlier this year.

This year is the centenary of the Order of the British Empire and Companion of Honour awards system first created in 1917 by King George V to honour those who had served non-combatant roles during the First World War.