Michael Morpurgo

They are thrilled to be commissioning beloved author, poet, playwright and librettist Michael Morpurgo to deliver this year’s Castlefield Manchester Sermon in the spectacular setting of Manchester Cathedral.

His sermon, All Things Bright and Beautiful, explores our ever diminishing connection to our natural surroundings: our reliance upon them, exploitation of them, and our myopia to a growing crisis. A skilled and sensitive writer of stories that bring history and the beauty of the natural world to life for young readers, Michael is a hard-working advocate for children whose views on writing, reading and wider world affairs are suffused with quiet wisdom and humour.

Michael is author of many books for children including War Horse (adapted into a film and a sensational West End theatre production), Kensuke’s Kingdom, Why the Whales Came and Private Peaceful and Toto, a retelling of the Wizard Of Oz.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including the Whitbread Award, The Nestle Smarties Book Prize, The Blue Peter Award and an OBE. He served as Britain’s Children’s Laureate from 2003-2005.