For the very first time Cosgrove Hall Films’ internationally acclaimed animation collection will go on permanent display in a new, purpose-built space. From Friday 16th January 2026, Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, Chorlton and the Wheelies, and friends will have a forever home in a dedicated gallery within the newly refurbished Sale Library, Trafford.
This remarkable collection, for which Sale’s Waterside is proud custodian, celebrates a unique chapter in British animation film and TV history and holds a special place in the childhood memories of so many. Featuring much-loved and iconic characters created by the award-winning Manchester studio, the exhibition will add an exciting new visitor experience to the library.
The exhibition features original puppets, props, sets, and scripts, displayed alongside the storybooks that inspired classics such as The Wind in the Willows and The BFG. As visitors meet their favourite characters – Postman Pat, Noddy, and many more – they’ll discover the fascinating history of the studio, explore the artistry behind the animation process, and celebrate a creative legacy that continues to inspire generations of storytellers and animators.
Rosy Whittemore, Project Curator at Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, says, “This is a really significant milestone for the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive. To have this incredible collection on permanent display realises an ambition the team at Waterside has held for many years. We know the reaction this work gets from visitors of all ages, and the power it has to ignite the imagination and bring joy. In a digital world, it’s extraordinary to be able to see the craft, dedication, and love that goes into hand-drawn and stop-motion animation.”
The refurbishment and redesign of Sale Library has made the creation of the new gallery a reality. By opening up the atrium space to accommodate more sections of the library, it has enabled the introduction of flexible community event and activity spaces, as well as the permanent exhibition area dedicated to the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive.
Many of these ideas have been influenced by feedback from library users, and the project has been made possible thanks to Arts Council England funding. Visitors to the library will now be greeted by Postman Pat’s Sorting Office – part of Postman Pat: Special Delivery, produced by Cosgrove Hall Films between 2003 and 2008 – offering a delightful preview of what awaits in the exhibition.
Councillor Eve Parker, Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage at Trafford Council, says, “Creating a permanent, free-to-enjoy home for the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive reflects Trafford Council’s commitment to making culture and heritage accessible to everyone. These much-loved characters shaped my own childhood – as they did for millions of others – and it’s wonderful to see them preserved and celebrated here in Sale for the whole community to enjoy.
“The refurbishment of Sale Library has produced a vibrant, welcoming space where creativity, learning and local heritage sit at the heart of the visitor experience. I’m delighted that this remarkable chapter of British animation history now has a home here, where it will continue to inspire families and visitors for generations to come.”
First airing in 1981, Danger Mouse was Cosgrove Hall Films’ breakthrough success, following years of experimentation with animation. Visitors will be able to see the original hand drawn ‘cels’ of the world’s greatest secret agent (who was voiced by David Jason) that are layered to give the impression of movement. Simultaneously, the studio was working on stop motion masterpieces including The Wind in the Willows. On display will be both the intricate sets along with some treasures from behind the camera, including pencil drawings of the set designs and Polaroid images that were taken at the end of each day’s filming to record the progress made.
Founded in 1976 by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall, Cosgrove Hall Films became the UK’s largest animation house. Based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, the studio brought together some of the country’s most talented puppet-makers, actors and animators who produced timeless series including Noddy, Jamie and the Magic Torch, Postman Pat: Special Delivery, and Animal Shelf. They also brought beloved literary characters to life in adaptations such as Roald Dahl’s The BFG (1989), Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows (1983), and Terry Pratchett’s Truckers (1992).
The Cosgrove Hall Films Archive came into the care of Waterside in 2017, when the studio’s original sets and props, which had been held in storage, faced destruction unless a new home could be found. Thanks to the efforts of Westley Wood, a former development producer at Cosgrove Hall Films, the collection was saved and is now under professional care of Waterside, ensuring its legacy can live on. Short-run exhibitions have been held, but this new gallery represents the largest display of sets, props, and characters to date and marks the first time a permanent exhibition has been possible.
• Entry to see the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive at Sale Library is free
• Opening hours are: Monday and Friday 10.00am – 7.00pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10.00am – 5.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm and Sunday Closed.
The Cosgrove Hall Films Archive
Since October 2017 Waterside has become home to Cosgrove Hall Films internationally acclaimed animation collection. Including some of the best-loved children’s characters Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, Chorlton and the Wheelies and many more Cosgrove Hall creations.
As custodians of the CHF archive, Waterside, based in Sale, Trafford has a role to house and preserve the collection. In addition, Waterside hosts a number of animation related networking events and talks.
The Chorlton-cum-Hardy based studio was founded by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall in 1976, it quickly became the UK’s largest animation house. Cosgrove Hall Films produced quality animation by bringing together some of the biggest talents, puppet-makers, actors and animators in the UK to create, adapt and produce popular animations, including Noddy, Animal Shelf and Postman Pat. They also brought characters from popular childhood fiction to life in animations such as Roald Dahl’s The BFG (1989), Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows (1983), and Terry Pratchett’s Truckers (1992). Puppet-makers Mackinnon & Saunders started their careers at the studio, as did BAFTA-winning animator Barry Purves and Art Director Bridget Appleby.
Waterside
Waterside is an award-winning, vibrant destination for performance, culture and events in the heart of Sale in Trafford, Greater Manchester.
Waterside opened in 2004 and has built a strong reputation for delivering high quality and engaging work, ranging from family theatre, interactive arts activity, performance, live music and regular comedy as well as high profile visual arts exhibitions.
With an important role to play in the local community, the venue welcomes over 100,000 visitors per year, stages the annual ten-day Refract Festival and the cultural LGBTQ+ celebration Pride in Trafford; and engages with over 7000 residents through the established participation programme.
The space houses a main auditorium (the Robert Bolt Theatre), a versatile conference and studio performance space (the Chambers), three exhibition spaces and a number of studios, meeting and workshop spaces, all used by a variety of different groups.
The Lauriston Gallery is open to the public six days a week and is free to visit. The venue is funded by Trafford Council and supported by Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Creative Industries Trafford
Artist development at Waterside is delivered through Creative Industries Trafford (CIT), which is committed to providing innovative support, training, mentoring and opportunities for artists and creatives in Greater Manchester and beyond. Featuring a year-round professional development programme, CIT covers a number of fields including literature, visual arts, contemporary design, theatre-making and animation.
The objectives are to increase artistic quality and to help artists build sustainable creative careers. Activities include the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, celebrating the legacy of the renowned animation studio, and curating the gallery spaces at Waterside which focus on photography, contemporary design, animation and the moving image.
CIT runs the Northern Lights Writers Conference, the Puppet Masters Animation Conference; plus, a very successful theatre development programme that has supported a number of theatre-makers and helped to create touring work. Also acting as creative producers, CIT created theatre and audio commissions for the National Trust on the Live at Lyme Project.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Animation, Art and Illustration, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions, Film, Other Worlds, Television
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