Sale Library to become permanent home of Cosgrove Hall Films’ iconic animation collection

A brand-new, free permanent exhibition celebrating some of Britain’s best-loved animated characters is opening inside the newly refurbished Sale Library.

Postman Pat's cottage © Jason Lock

From Friday 16 January 2026, the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive – featuring classics including Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and Chorlton and the Wheelies – will be on permanent display in a purpose-built gallery space within the library.

The internationally acclaimed collection is cared for by Waterside and marks a major new visitor experience for the town, bringing original puppets, props, sets and scripts into a dedicated home that residents and families can drop into for free.

Danger Mouse

Alongside familiar faces such as Postman Pat and Noddy, the exhibition will also spotlight the stories behind the productions, with visitors able to explore the craft and artistry of animation – including the hands-on detail of both hand-drawn work and stop-motion filming.

Looby Loo from Andy Pandy © Jason Lock

Rosy Whittemore, project curator at the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, said: “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.”

Chorlton & The Wheelies © Rosy Whittemore

A new gallery space inside a refurbished library

The permanent display has been made possible through the refurbishment and redesign of Sale Library, which has opened up the atrium space and created more flexible areas for community events, activities and exhibitions.

Trafford Council says many of the changes have been influenced by feedback from library users and the project has been supported by Arts Council England funding.

Currently, visitors are greeted by Postman Pat’s Sorting Office in the library – part of Postman Pat: Special Delivery (produced by Cosgrove Hall Films between 2003 and 2008) – offering a preview of what’s to come inside the gallery.

Cllr Eve Parker, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “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.”

Wind in the Willows original drawing by Terry Brown © Jason Lock

From Danger Mouse to Wind in the Willows sets

As part of the exhibition, visitors will be able to see original hand-drawn Danger Mouse ‘cels’ – layered artwork used to create the illusion of movement. First airing in 1981, the series was Cosgrove Hall Films’ breakthrough success, with the character voiced by David Jason.

The display will also feature stop-motion treasures from productions such as The Wind in the Willows, including intricate sets and behind-the-scenes materials like pencil design drawings and Polaroid images used to track filming progress day by day.

Cosgrove Hall Films was founded in 1976 by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall and grew to become the UK’s largest animation house. Based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, the studio produced series including Jamie and the Magic Torch, Animal Shelf, and more – as well as literary adaptations such as Roald Dahl’s The BFG (1989), Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows (1983) and Terry Pratchett’s Truckers (1992).

How the archive was saved

The Cosgrove Hall Films Archive came into Waterside’s care in 2017, after the studio’s original sets and props – held in storage – faced destruction unless a new home could be found.

The collection was saved thanks to the efforts of Westley Wood, a former development producer at Cosgrove Hall Films and has since been professionally cared for by Waterside. While short-run exhibitions have taken place previously, this new library gallery will be the largest display to date and the first time a permanent exhibition has been possible.

Visiting information

Entry is free. The Cosgrove Hall Films Archive exhibition opens at Sale Library on Friday 16 January 2026.

Opening hours:

Monday and Friday: 10am-7pm | Tuesday-Thursday: 10am-5pm | Saturday: 10am-4pm | Sunday: Closed

For more information, visit watersidearts.org/CHFAExhibition.