County Hall, at Aykley Heads in Durham City, is scheduled to close earlier than originally planned, with all council staff and services expected to be relocated by July.
Council officials said the earlier move will save around £350,000 in building running costs, ongoing maintenance and repairs, and speed up the development of the new Aykley Heads Innovation District.
Cabinet members and councillors part of the Reform-led local authority will relocate to the Rivergreen Centre, which will be the main base of council operations. The site, which formerly housed the Atom Bank headquarters, is currently undergoing major redevelopment after it was bought by the council for £11 million in 2023
County Hall, Durham. (Image: Stuart Boulton)
Opposition councillors will be temporarily relocated to the nearby Salvus House offices until February 2027.
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Full council meetings from September will be held at Spennymoor Leisure Centre until the Rivergreen building is available, which will house a brand new council chamber. Committee meetings will be scheduled across Salvus House, The Light, Green Lane, and Spennymoor Education Centre.
Demolition work on the existing County Hall site, which opened in 1963, is expected to start in March 2027 when it is handed over to Muse, the council’s joint venture partner.
The public-private partnership, supported by Durham University, is expected to create thousands of new jobs and to become a regional hub for research and innovation.
A new cultural venue inside the former Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery called ‘The Light’ is due to open later this year.
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Andrew Husband, Reform council leader at Durham County Council. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)
Speaking after signing the partnership agreement with Muse last year, council leader Andrew Husband said: “Aykley Heads will deliver thousands of quality jobs for our residents and will be a significant driving force for County Durham’s future economic growth, as well as that of the wider North East.”
Phil Mayall, managing director at Muse, added: “Aykley Heads will provide a high-quality environment to encourage the growth of existing businesses and attract others to the region.
“It will also help to balance out the city core by revitalising the area, creating a vibrant and exciting new employment destination.”
One woman, who has face blindness, has difficulty watching films with more than four characters, but her companion helped to explain who is who when she got confused. Another woman, with severe dyslexia, used the AI to help her read labels in shops. And another, with misophonia – she finds everyday noises overwhelming – says 4o could help regulate her by making her laugh.
President Trump vowed to impose voter ID requirements ahead of the midterms, with or without congressional approval, the latest escalation of his campaign to assert more control over elections, which he baselessly claims Democrats have been rigging against him and others.
“We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday afternoon. “These are horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS.”
“I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future,” he wrote in another post. “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!”
The president, in his posts, also made an unusually partisan direct address to the Supreme Court, claiming that if the status quo remained, Democrats would eventually try to pack the court with an expanded number of justices, end the filibuster in Congress, and add additional U.S. states.
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“Our Country will never be the same if they allow these demented and evil people to knowingly, and happily, destroy it,” Trump wrote.
President Trump (Getty Images)
The comments alarmed critics of the president.
“Trump’s authoritarian takeover and interference in the midterm elections under the guise of ‘election integrity’ has begun,” Melanie D’Arrigo, executive director of the advocacy group Campaign for New York Health, wrote on X.
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This week, the House passed the SAVE Act along party lines, which would require proof of citizenship to vote and let the Department of Homeland Security seize voter rolls.
Republicans supporting the bill echoed the president’s unfounded claims of mass election interference from Democrats.
“Cheating is the only path to victory,” Representative Mary Miller, Republican of Illinois, toldThe New York Times.
Critics of the effort, which is unlikely to advance through the Senate, accuse the Republicans of pursuing a thinly veiled attempt at voter disenfranchisement, given that it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote, and millions of Americans don’t possess the legal documents, like a passport, that would help them prove their citizenship.
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Almost all states require voters to attest that they are citizens to vote, under penalty of perjury.
The president continues to insist past elections were rigged against him and there are masses of non-citizens voting, even though neither claim is true (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Earlier this month, a federal judge in Washington blocked parts of a previous Trump executive order requiring documented proof of citizenship when military members register to vote and mandating agencies “assess citizenship” before providing federal voting forms.
“Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures,” U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote.
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The Constitution leaves administering elections largely to the states, but President Trump has continued to push for more federal involvement, an effort rooted in his continued insistence that non-citizens are cheating in elections, even though analysis, including a review by the Trump administration, suggests this barely ever happens and does not sway elections.
The White House has said it can offer “no guarantee” that federal immigration agents won’t be present at polling stations, as MAGA allies like podcaster and former White House strategist Steve Bannon have pushed to use armed immigration agents to “surround the polls.”
The celebrity chef has set the record straight on what really happened at Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding
Peter Hennessy and Yasmin Vince
00:54, 14 Feb 2026
Gordon Ramsay has revealed what actually took place at Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding – including the reality behind Lady Victoria’s supposedly ‘inappropriate’ dancing.
The celebrity chef is a close friend of the Beckham family and attended Brooklyn’s 2022 wedding to Nicola Peltz. Earlier this year, Brooklyn stunned the world by sharing a damning statement about his family on Instagram, reports the Mirror..
Amongst his claims against them, he alleged that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife to “dance very inappropriately on me”.
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Many have questioned what this entailed and speculated about how ‘inappropriate’ Victoria’s dancing actually was. However, Gordon has now clarified the situation, revealing what genuinely occurred.
“We were there at the wedding,” he told The Sun. “There was nothing salacious. There was nothing inappropriate. Everyone was having fun, having a dance.”
The chef was asked whether Victoria ‘grinded’ on her son, as numerous memes have suggested. “No! Nothing of the sort. It was fun,” he replied.
Gordon also said he had not seen the memes about Victoria but that the former Spice Girl has a “great sense of humour”. He added that she would be “right to be upset” about the wedding but “can bat that other s*** away in a heartbeat”.
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Gordon’s wife, Tana, has reportedly been a source of support for Victoria recently. Like the Beckhams, the Ramsays are embroiled in a family feud, as their daughter, Holly, and her husband, Adam Peaty, uninvited the Peaty family from their December wedding.
During his wedding speech, Gordon is believed to have remarked that Tana was a “good mum” to both the bride and groom. Some have interpreted this comment as a veiled criticism of Adam’s mother, Caroline, who was amongst the first to have her wedding invitation withdrawn.
The Michelin-starred chef claims he remains in touch with Brooklyn. He revealed that he and the wannabe photographer-turned-wannabe chef have “messaged a little bit” and that their “relationship is solid”.
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Gordon expressed his love for Brooklyn, describing his “heart is incredible” whilst cautioning that things become difficult “when you’re infatuated”.
Gordon suggested it’s easy to “get carried away” but forecast that Brooklyn “will come back” eventually, despite the 26 year old’s firm stance that he has no intention of reconciling with his family. Gordon not only described David and Victoria Beckham as “incredible” parents, but also stated it was simply “a matter of time” before Brooklyn “understands what his parents mean to him”.
Wedding DJ Fat Tony has backed Gordon’s claim that Victoria’s dancing wasn’t inappropriate. The DJ clarified that it wasn’t the dancing itself that was problematic, but rather when it occurred.
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Appearing on This Morning, he explained: “There was no slut dropping, there was no PVC catsuit, there was no Spice Girls actions. The word inappropriate – why I said it was inappropriate as well, because it was the timing.
“What happened was – basically, Marc Anthony was performing on stage, he then called Brooklyn onto the stage. Everyone is expecting Nicola to go up and do the first dance and then Marc asks the most beautiful woman in the room to come to the stage.
“Then he said: ‘Victoria, come to the stage.’ At that point, Brooklyn is devastated because he thought he was going to do his first dance with his wife.”
Andrew Trimble joined Patrick Kielty on the popular talk show
21:51, 13 Feb 2026Updated 21:51, 13 Feb 2026
Andrew Trimble spoke about life after rugby, Ulster identity and Ireland’s prospects in Six Nations as he appeared on RTE’s Late Late Show.
The former Ireland and Ulster Rugby star joined Patrick Kielty on the popular talk show tonight where he spoke about his new career on the television since finishing his playing days, with him recently appearing on Ireland’s Fittest Family where he won the show as coach of the McKenna family.
Andrew talked about his highlights in an Ireland career, such as filling in for Brian O’Driscoll after an injury and helping the team to become one of the best in the world.
He also spoke to Patrick about his documentary on his identity in Ulster coming from a protestant background and reflecting on how that fits in with the world now.
He did admit he was anxious to talk about the Six Nations but said that people are being “very dramatic” about a good Irish squad despite an upsetting game against France in Paris.
Andrew did warn that Italy will be a tough game on Saturday, but going to Twickenham will be a “big ask” for the team when they face off against England next week.
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He also told Patrick about his children and how while his son has followed his footsteps into rugby, his daughters prefer singing, dancing and K-Pop Demon Hunters.
After further details of Andrew’s relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Prince of Wales was said to have viewed the then-prince as a serious threat to the royal family’s survival.
The revelations are in an upcoming book about the Prince and Princess of Wales, written by the Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers.
A palace source in the book said: “The Prince of Wales was adamant the whole episode would never go away and, despite how others may have felt, there was absolutely no upside in Andrew being protected.”
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(BBC Newsnight)
William had urged action from Charles and Queen Elizabeth, who were in favour of protecting him, which provoked a furious reaction from his father, who “put him in his place”, the book claims.
The new biography alleges Charles was “engaged in a full-scale fire fight”, and William feared the Epstein scandal would pose a threat to the royal family’s survival.
A palace source in the book, said: “His view was crystal clear, Andrew shouldn’t be anywhere near the family under any circumstances, not by association, not at family functions, anywhere.
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“Every single time there was a new revelation, which no one knew when it was coming or what the next one would be, it was a stain on all of the family.”
In a now infamous interview with BBC Newsnight in 2019, Andrew was asked about sexual abuse allegations made by the late Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
William and Kate said they were “deeply concerned” over the ongoing revelations surrounding Andrew (PA Wire)
He claimed he had “no recollection” of ever meeting Ms Giuffre and said it was not possible he could have had sex with her in March 2001, as he was at a Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter.
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Andrew also failed to apologise for his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the Epstein scandal for the first time this week, saying they have been “deeply concerned” over the ongoing revelations surrounding Andrew.
Another source in the book said: “Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William’s future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes.
“He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in. William’s view was that he [Andrew] got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family.”
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Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of abusing her in 2001 (US Department of Justice)
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King had “profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.”
US Congress members have urged the King to “answer what he knew” about his brother’s ties to Epstein and compel him to testify in the US.
Andrew suffered a fall from grace following the release of Epstein files in October, which saw him stripped of all his titles, including the Duke of York.
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In the latest tranche of documents released, Andrew is alleged to have shared confidential reports with Epstein that he had access to in his role as a UK trade envoy.
The Independent has contacted Buckingham Palace and Andrew’s representatives.
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
This Valentine’s Day, Saturn enters Aries, bringing proactiveness, determination and focus to the forefront. Don’t dim your sparkle.
Leo, Sagittarius and Capricorn, you may feel drawn to turning inward today to seek answers. Listen to this instinct, and trust your intuition.
The path is clear today for your to make progress, and aim for brilliant success. You will end the day feeling accomplished, so enjoy the process.
Ahead, you’ll find all the star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday February 14, 2026.
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Saturn re-enters your sign, bringing a celestial reality check. Don’t fret – you’re stepping into a new chapter of maturity, responsibility and long-term growth. Think of it as boot camp for your best self. Challenges may pop up, but so will opportunities to prove your strength and leadership. This is your time to build something solid – career, relationship, or a better version of you.
Your inner world becomes the focus as prudent Saturn moves back into Aries. Think of this as a period to declutter – to clear emotional cobwebs, old habits and beliefs that no longer serve you. Saturn’s slow-but-steady vibe helps you work through things privately but powerfully. Boundaries become sacred, rest becomes revolutionary, and solitude can inspire brilliance.
It’s time to assess which friendships fire you up and which ones are fizzling out. Saturn in Aries wants quality over quantity, so focus on connections that support your growth and long-term goals. This is also prime time for stepping into a leadership role in a group, cause or community. Responsibility may find you, but with your charm and clever ideas, you’ll handle it well.
Your career zone gets an upgrade or a challenge. Are you ready to step up, show up and shine professionally? Saturn’s no-nonsense energy nudges you to take long-term goals seriously. You might find yourself in a managerial role or striving for one. Success won’t be instant, but persistence pays off. However, if you are in a job you don’t like, change beckons.
As Saturn returns to fellow fire sign Aries, your inner philosopher awakens. You’re being called to get serious about a vision – studying, teaching, publishing or planning a bold adventure. This isn’t about chasing thrills; it’s about crafting a legacy from your ideals. The road may have hurdles, but each teaches resilience. Long-term commitments to growth will pay off in fulfilling ways.
Ready to be shrewder around shared resources and emotional entanglements and that you usually keep compartmentalised? Saturn in Aries asks you to do the deep work, financially or psychologically. Boundaries become your best friends, and long-term security grows from daily discipline. Think of it as an inner audit, helping you prune what drains you and protect what fuels you.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
One-on-one relationships enter the spotlight, not just romantic ones. Contracts, commitments and collaborations come with small print and big lessons. Balance diplomacy with firm boundaries and clear expectations. Saturn rewards structure – solid partnerships grow stronger, while those built on attraction alone may show cracks.
Saturn returns to Aries and can sharpen daily routines and disciplined action. This transit brings a no-nonsense vibe to work, wellness and habits. If you’ve been winging it, this nudges you toward structure. Think of it as planetary training for mind, body and schedule. Your natural intensity now needs consistent application.
Take your leisure activities seriously – romance, art, or fun. Saturn in Aries doesn’t dim your flame, it channels it. That brilliant idea? Turn it into a masterpiece. That flirtation? Time to see if it’s real. Children, hobbies and meaningful ventures ask for commitment, not chaos. Free spirit energy now works best with consistency.
With your ruler Saturn back in Aries, it’s time to reengage with the foundations for success and emotional strength. Home, roots, and inner security are in focus. Renovating a house or rebuilding family bonds? Saturn wants commitment, not quitting. This is less about bricks and more about boundaries – setting, keeping and knowing when to soften them.
Prepare to walk your talk. You’re known for innovative ideas, but now you need structure, insight and consistency. Your traditional ruler Saturn’s return to Aries helps turn abstract musings into messages that move people. Sibling relationships or local matters may also need a measured approach. Quiet confidence speaks volumes
Your focus once more turns to values, self-worth and managing your money and energy. Stern Saturn gave you a taste of this last year and now is back for the longer term and helping you build firmer foundations and asking for you to audit what you truly value. If you’ve been giving too much away, it’s time to set gentle but firm limits. Turn dreams into dividends and indulgences into well-earned wins.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
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Firefighters were called to a fire in a Cambridgeshire village on Thursday (February 12). A crew from Cottenham was called to Capper Road in Waterbeach at 9:02pm following reports of a fire that had broken out in the open.
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Firefighter arrived at the scene to find a fire involving a motorbike. The crew used a hose reel to extinguish the fire and had returned to their station by 10:10pm.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate. Cambridgeshire Police has raised a crime for arson and enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact the police through the force website or by calling Crimestoppers on 08000555111.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 9.02pm on Thursday (12) a crew from Cottenham was called to a fire in the open on Capper Road in Waterbeach.
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“Firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish a fire involving a motorbike and returned to their station by 10.10pm.
“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
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Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan calls for a universal system of retirement income and equal uprating for all pensions to address the widening gap between New and Basic State Pension rates
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer
21:00, 13 Feb 2026
During the State Pension and benefits uprating debate in Parliament, Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to “look again at the advantages of a universal system of income in retirement that reaches everyone”. The Poole MP also drew attention to the “unfairness” in payment rates between the New and Basic State Pension.
Mr Duncan-Jordan told fellow MPs: “For our older generation, the State Pension is the foundation on which a decent retirement can be built. The restoration of the Triple Lock has been key to raising the income of some of our poorest pensioners, which is why we need it to continue, but it would be wrong to say that the job has been done when we still have 1.9 million older people living in poverty.”
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The Labour MP highlighted the disparity between the annual uprating in cash terms for those who reached State Pension age before April 2016 (Basic) or after 2016 (New), stating: “That is unfair, and we should consider uprating all pensions in the same way.”
Under the Triple Lock, both the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in line with whichever is the highest between the average annual earnings growth from May to July (4.8%), the CPI inflation rate in the year to September (3.8%), or 2.5 per cent.
Additional State Pension elements and deferred State Pensions rise each year with the September CPI figure (3.8%), reports the Daily Record. The uplift means those receiving the full New State Pension will get £241.30 per week, while those on the maximum Basic State Pension would pocket £184.90 per week.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Duncan-Jordan said: “Our social security system is the bedrock of our welfare state, but for years, the safety net that it was meant to provide has been developing bigger and bigger holes, through which some of our most vulnerable citizens have fallen.
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“For our older generation, the State Pension is the foundation on which a decent retirement can be built. The restoration of the Triple Lock has been key to raising the income of some of our poorest pensioners, which is why we need it to continue, but it would be wrong to say that the job has been done when we still have 1.9 million older people living in poverty.”
He highlighted the “weakness” of the means-tested Pension Credit system, noting that approximately 750,000 older people are entitled to claim but haven’t yet done so, adding “that is why we need to look again at the advantages of a universal system of income in retirement that reaches everyone”.
The Labour MP went on: “Even in the current uprating arrangements, there is an unfairness. Some 8.3 million older people are in receipt of the pre-2016 State Pension, made up of a Basic State Pension and a second State Pension, which for many would have been SERPS (state earnings-related pension scheme) introduced by the late, great Barbara Castle.
“While the Triple Lock applies to the Basic State Pension for these people, the lower consumer prices index is used to uprate the second State Pension. This year, that will give a difference of 1 per cent, and over time, we have seen the gap between those on the old State Pension and the New State Pension widen. That is unfair, and we should consider uprating all pensions in the same way.”
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The State Pension amount someone receives is based on their National Insurance contributions. Around 35 years’ worth are needed to qualify for the full New State Pension, though this may vary if you were ‘contracted out’.
The full New State Pension will rise by approximately £574 to £12,547 over the new financial year. However, the uprating leaves only £36 before breaching the Personal Allowance income threshold of £12,570, which would result in more pensioners with any additional income paying tax in retirement.
The UK Government recently confirmed that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will introduce new measures next year to ensure that pensioners – whose only income is the State Pension – will not be required to complete a Simple Self Assessment tax return if their payment exceeds the Personal Allowance threshold of £12,570.
This follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement during the Autumn Budget that the Personal Allowance will remain frozen at £12,570 until April 5, 2030 – extending the original timeline by three years. New State Pension payment rates 2026/27.
Some school districts in the U.S. dropped plans for class pictures after widespread social media posts linked a billionaire with ties to Jeffrey Epstein to the photography giant Lifetouch, which on Friday called the claims “completely false.”
The disruption to school picture plans in Texas and elsewhere began after online posts linked Lifetouch, which photographs millions of students each year, to the investment fund manager Apollo Global Management. Apollo’s former CEO is billionaire investor Leon Black, who met regularly with Epstein and was advised by Epstein on financial matters.
Black led the company in 2019, when funds managed by Apollo bought Lifetouch’s parent company, Shutterfly. The $2.7 billion deal closed in September 2019 — a month after Epstein’s death by suicide behind bars as he awaited trial over allegations from federal prosecutors that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of girls.
Both Lifetouch and Apollo noted that timeline in statements Friday, two days after Lifetouch CEO Ken Murphy said in an Instagram post that neither Black nor any of Apollo’s directors or investors ever had any access to Lifetouch photos.
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“No Lifetouch executives have ever had any relationship or contact with Epstein and we have never shared student images with any third party, including Apollo,” Lifetouch said in its statement Friday. “Apollo and its funds also have no role in Lifetouch’s daily operations and have no access to student images.”
The canceled school pictures are another ripple effect over the release of millions of files from the Epstein investigation, including documents showing Epstein’s regular contacts with CEOs, journalists, scientists and prominent politicians long after a 2008 conviction on sex crimes charges.
In the small Texas town of Malakoff, the local school district canceled a student picture day after several parents told the district they weren’t comfortable with Lifetouch photographing their children, spokesperson Katherine Smith said in a statement e-mailed Friday. Several other schools and districts in Texas also canceled or changed plans, as well as a charter school in Arizona, according to Facebook announcements posted by the schools.
“We decided our students and families would be best served by keeping all of our pictures in-house for the rest of this year, and we are looking at all of our options for the 2026-2027 school year,” Smith said.
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Parents concerned about Lifetouch included MaKallie Gann, whose children attend schools in Howe, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Dallas. She said she was worried about how much information Lifetouch collects on students.
“Whenever you order the pictures, it has their name. It has the age, of course. It has their grade, their teacher, the school that they’re in,” she said.
No evidence of Epstein or anyone in his orbit seeing Lifetouch photos has emerged from news organizations’ review of thousands of documents released this month by the U.S. Department of Justice, though there are at least 1.7 million records.
The review shows Black’s name appeared 8,200 times, though that figure likely includes some duplicate records. Black stepped down as Apollo’s CEO in March 2021, saying he wanted to focus on his family, health, and “many other interests.”
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That was two months after a committee of the company’s board issued a report concluding that Epstein had advised Black personally on estate planning, tax issues, charitable giving and running his “family office,” but provided no services to Apollo or invested in no Apollo funds.
The report also said the review — which Black requested — found “no evidence” that he was involved with Epstein’s alleged criminal activities “in any way” or “at any time.” ___
Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Also contributing was Associated Press writer Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The art and craft of stop-motion animation has been celebrated in several exhibitions recently, including a show at London’s South Bank Centre and last year’s Tim Burton retrospective at the Design Museum. Now it’s the turn of Aardman as the studio celebrates almost half a century of silly characters, cracking jokes and comical villains in a new exhibition in London.
Since its founding in 1972 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, the Bristol-based Aardman has cultivated an identity as one of animation’s most trusted and commercially successful production houses. Animator Nick Park joined in 1985, bringing Aardman Oscar success in 1991 with Creature Comforts – the first of many.
Widespread critical acclaim led to high-profile partnerships with Hollywood companies DreamWorks and Sony Pictures in the early 2000s. But it’s the studio’s homegrown history of feature films, animated shorts, TV series and various other projects that take centre stage at the Young V&A for the new Inside Aardman – Wallace and Gromit and Friends exhibition.
Drawn from the studio’s 50-year legacy, the gallery’s impressive collection of sets, puppets and other behind-the-scenes material provides an affectionate look at the production stories behind some of Aardman’s most celebrated animated creations.
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An early development sketch from Shaun the Sheep. Aardman
The craft behind the art
The exhibition is a quickfire journey through the techniques and technologies of handmade claymation that have defined the company’s signature animation style.
We learn about the moveable metal armatures and sculpturing of Plasticine, silicone rubber and foam that build Aardman’s three-dimensional models. And we get to see the invisible labour of foley artists (sound creators) and sound designers involved in the realisation of Aardman’s animated screen worlds.
At the centre of the exhibition is the literal flagship piece – the huge galleon from The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012), which towers over the curated collection of miniatures. Other highlights include the prison cell set from Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024), home to the villainous penguin Feathers McGraw. Visitors can also create their own performances and stop-motion shorts in special interactive booths.
The pleasure is in the details, seen up close. David Parry / V&A
One of the most welcome curiosities is that the archival and audiovisual materials are organised to reflect the various stages of stop-motion animation as a creative process. An impressive collection of pre-production artefacts include never-before-seen storyboards, concept art and illustrations. All are testament to the meticulous craftmanship of the animators and highlight the almost imperceptible details involved in building stop-motion animation from the ground up.
Lesser-known processes like needle-felting and “dope sheets” (drawings that break down dialogue into the appropriate mouth shapes frame-by-frame) accompany the more recognisable three-dimensional characters that celebrate the artisanal logic powering Aardman’s creativity.
What is clear from this peek inside the magical animated world of Aardman is that its animators are quintessential problem-solvers. The exhibition’s focus on the early Morph shorts reveals how clingfilm can function as an excellent substitute for water.
Similarly, the models and miniatures from A Grand Day Out (1989) show that lentils can have the appearance of well-worn rivets. Even icing sugar can give claymation models a duller, matte look. In the hands of Aardman’s skilled animators, everyday objects and materials can be transformed in all kinds of ways to sell the illusion.
Notable too among the wealth of handmade materials and processes is the spotlight on computer imaging and other forms of digital intervention – a surprise, perhaps, given Aardman’s renowned dedication to working with tangible, material objects. Yet the crude sketches doodled on scraps of paper from which the earliest story and character ideas were formed give way in the exhibition’s closing stages, to a recognition of other kinds of animated techniques.
Computer-generated layering and 3D printing add in visual effects largely impossible to achieve in stop-motion. Green screens and even virtual reality visualisations help the animators “design and test ideas for sets before building them”. All show how digital technology has come to occupy a central place in the production pipeline of Aardman films.
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Rather than obscure such processes behind the lucrative business of handcraft for which Aardman is internationally celebrated, the exhibition rightly makes a virtue of the virtual. The studio chooses not to obscure how and where digital processes have contributed to their big-screen blockbusters – even if their computer-animated films Flushed Away (2006) and Arthur Christmas (2011) are curiously sidelined.
Wallace and Gromit have a grand day out at the Young V&A. David Parry / V&A
Many visitors will be well acquainted with the characters and objects brought together for Inside Aardman, yet there is enough devotion to animation as an industrial art form to satisfy creative practitioners and historians alike. This excellent collection at the V&A show confirms Aardman as masters of their craft within the tradition of British animation, and a studio that can rightfully claim to be the true pioneers of Plasticine.
Inside Aardman is on at the Young V&A, London, until November 26
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