For new friends, I have been recording the year in this way, on and off, for a decade. Stitching a newspaper face to cloth each day, that is. This is the 2025 version. So far, I’ve stitched up to the end of March.
Years 2019, 2020, 2022 (the stitching is finished, but not the recording of materials) and 2024 will be on display in the Barbican Library next month. Scroll to end for details.
Day 1: Unnamed woman
Afghanistan's 'women are banned from playing cricket - one of several repressive laws imposed by the Taliban.’ i Daily 3.1.25. Article by Kate Maltby. Photo: Getty*.
Days 2 + 3: Jess Phillips + Elon Musk
Musk said Phillips 'deserved to be in prison' for not pursuing an enquiry on grooming gangs. She said he should 'crack on with getting to Mars'. It's a 'diplomatic nightmare' for the UK.
Cut from i Daily 3.1.25. Article by Eleanor Langford. Photos: Uncredited (Jess), AFP* (Elon).
Day 4: Michael J Fox
Joe Biden has given him the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Metro 6.1.25. Photo: AP*.
Day 5: RIP Shigemi Fukahori, 1931 - 2025, Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor and peace advocate.
Metro 6.1.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 6: RIP James Lee Williams/ The Vivienne, 1992 - 2025, TV star and West End performer.
Metro 7.1.25. Article by Ruth Lawes. Photo: Leigh Kelly/ BBC.
Day 7: Damien Nettles
Has been missing for 28 years. His mother, Val, says the charity 'Missing People' has been a lifeline.’
Metro 7.1.25. Article by Kirsten Robertson. Photo uncredited.
Day 8: RIP Mukesh Chandrakar, 1991 - 2025, journalist found dead (in a septic tank, buried and covered in cement, his heart ripped out) after he uncovered corruption in India's construction industry.
Metro 8.1.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 9: Jonny Huntington
The 'first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole'.
Metro 8.1.25. Article by: Lynn Rusk. Photo: PA*.
Day 10: RIP Leon Heywood, 1979 - 2025, dancer and choreographer. Metro 10.1.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 11: RIP Jimmy Carter, 1924 - 2025, the 39th US President. Metro 10.1.25. Photo: Getty/ AP*.
Day 12: Paris Hilton
Raging fires burn across Los Angeles. '5 dead, 150,000 evacuated, A-listers lose homes to flames', one of which is Hilton. Metro 10.1.25. Article by Gergana Krasteva. Photo uncredited.
Day 13: Unnamed woman, London
Commuter who took part in the annual 'No Trousers Tube Ride'. Metro 13.1.25. Photo: Aaron Chown/PA*.
Day 14: RIP Tony Slattery, 1959 - 2025, actor and comedian. Metro 15.1.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 15: RIP Linda Nolan, 1959 - 2025, singer. Metro 16.1.25. Obituary by Brooke Johnson. Photo: PA*.
Days 16, 17 + 18: Keith Scovell, Ant cake + Dec cake
Two cakes modelled on Ant McPartlin (17) and Dec Donnelly (18) by 'amateur' baker, Keith Scovell (16) who 'lets his imagination run wild’. Metro 16.1.25. Photo: SWNS*.
Day 19: Saif Ali Khan
Bollywood star, in intensive care after being stabbed in his home by an intruder.
Metro 17.1.25. Article by Brooke Johnson. Photo: Rex*.
Day 20: Ruvimbo Kaviya
Had a head tumour removed by keyhole surgery through the eye socket, a UK first.
Metro 20.1.25. Photo: PA*.
Days 21, 22 + 23: Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher + Romi Gonen
Released from hamas captivity after 471 days. Metro 20.1.25. Article by Danny Rigg. Photo: PA*.
Day 24: Dave Fishwick
Set up Britain's first new high street bank in over 150 years, having left school with no qualifications and no money. Metro 22.1.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 25: Lewis Hamilton
Chases his 'eighth world crown and Ferrari attempt to end an 18-year wait for one'.
i Daily 25.1.25. Article by Kevin Garside. Photo: Getty*.
Day 26: Ivor Perl
Entered the gates of Auschwitz when he was 12, and still sees 'Josef Mengele in his mind's eye every day'. i Daily 25.1.25. Article by Emma Barnett. Photo uncredited.
Day 27: Esse Loewenthal
Has been told 'he needs to sell 1,000 more copies of his book to take the Guinness World Record for youngest author'. Metro 27.1.25. Photo: SWNS*.
Day 28: Unnamed woman, Gaza
A 'mum with a bag of belongings leads her young family' back home. Metro 28.1.25. Photo: AP*.
Days 29 + 30: RIP Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, c2017 - 2025, killed when someone crashed through the fence of their school. Metro 29.1.23. Photo uncredited.
Day 31: Marianne Jean-Baptiste
A film review (by Larushka Ivan-Zadeh) of 'Hard Truths', directed by Mike Leigh (cinematography by Dick Pope, 1947 - 2024) in which Marianne (Bafta, but not Oscar, nominated) is 'majestic'. Metro 31.1.25.
Day 32: Hari Budha Magar
The first double above-knee amputee to climb the seven highest peaks in each continent.
Metro 3.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 33: Claudia Sheinbaum
Mexico's president rejected 'White House Slander' that 'her government had alliances with criminal organisations'. Metro 3.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 34: Tommy Brown
Had spinal surgery, before being born, and 'nobody can believe how well he is doing'.
Metro 4.2.25. Photo: SWNS*.
Day 35: Jenni Hermoso
The World Cup winner was forcefully grabbed and kissed on the lips by the president of Spain's Football Federation. Afterwards, he denied any wrongdoing and she was sent death threats.
Metro 4.2.25. Article by: Tom Sanders. Photo: Getty/ Reuters*.
Day 36: RIP Harvey Willgoose, c2010 - 2025, stabbed at school. Metro 5.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 37: RIP The Aga Khan, billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader. Metro 6.2.25.Photo uncredited.
Day 38: RIP Vadim Strokin, 1966 - 2025, musician and critic of Putin who 'jumped from a ninth-floor window' during a visit from Russian security services. Metro 7.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 39: Unnamed protester, Bangladesh
Protesters in Bangladesh set fire to the former family home of ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country for 20 years. Metro 7.2.25. Photo: Shutterstock*
Day 40: RIP Irv Gotti, 1970 - 2025, record producer. Metro 7.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 41: RIP Sam Nujoma, 1929 - 2025, freedom fighter. Metro 10.2.25. Photo: Uncredited
Day 42: RIP Jaysley Beck. A soldier, who took her own life in 2021 at the age of 19. An inquest found the Army did not take enough action after she was assaulted by a senior sergeant. Her family is fighting for an independent body to handle serious complaints in the military.
Metro 11.2.25. Article by Sam Courtney-Guy. Photo uncredited.
Day 43: Dionne Warwick
The six-time Grammy Award winning singer is still touring at the age of 84.
Metro 12.2.25. Article by Danni Scott. Photo uncredited.
Day 44: RIP Brian Murphy, 1932 - 2025, actor. Metro 5.2.25. Photo: ITV*.
Day 45: RIP Rosie Prior, c1980 - 2025, off-duty police officer killed whilst trying to help at the scene of a road crash. Metro 14.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 46: Samuel L Jackson
Dressed as Uncle Sam at the Super Bowl and introduced Kendrick Lamar's half-time show.
Metro 11.2.25. Article by Pierra Willix. Photo uncredited.
Days 47 + 48: Lindsay and Craig Foreman
Detained in Iran while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip, accused of making unspecified security-related offences. Metro 17.2.25. Article by Brooke Davies. Photo uncredited.
Day 49: Martin Diver
Received an apology 35 years after being dismissed from the army for being gay.
Metro 19.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 50: RIP Francesco Rivella, 1928 - 2025, inventor of Nutella. Metro 19.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 51: RIP Paquita la del Barrio, 1947 - 2025, Mexican music legend and feminist.
Metro 19.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 52: RIP Rick Buckler, 1955 - 2025, drummer and member of The Jam.
Metro 20.2.25.Photo uncredited.
Day 53: Anastacia
Is 'set to receive the Global Recognition Award at the first Metro Pride Awards'.
Metro 26.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 54: Gisèle Pelicot
Six of Pelicot's abusers 'set free just weeks after sentencing'.
Metro 18.2.25. Article by Sarah Hooper. Photo: AP*
Day 55: RIP Bill Fay, 1943 - 2025, singer-songwriter. Metro 24.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 56: RIP Kate Mitchell, c1979 - 2021, charity worker murdered in a hotel room.
Metro 26.2.25. Photo: PA*
Day 57: Kevin Kennedy
No longer playing Curly Watts, he is currently touring with, 'Punk Off - The Sounds of Punk and New Wave'. Metro 27.2.25. Article by Rachel Corcoran. Photo uncredited.
Day 58: Auzzy Blood
Swallowed swords on 'Britain's Got Talent', resulting in 700 Ofcom complaints.
Metro 27.2.25. Article by Charlotte McLaughlin. Photo: ITV*.
Day 59: RIP Henry Kelly, 1946 - 2025, broadcaster and journalist. Metro 27.2.25. Photo uncredited.
Days 60 + 61: RIP Gene Hackman, 1930 - 2025, actor; and Betsy Arakawa, 1959 - 2025, classical pianist. Observer 2.3.25. Article by Dani Anguiano. Photo by Mark J Terrill/ AP.
Day 62: RIP Angie Stone, 1961 - 2025, singer-songwriter. Metro 3.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 63: RIP James Harrison, c1963 - 2025, saved more than 2.4 million babies by donating his rare blood. Metro 4.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 64: RIP Louise Hunt, c2000 - 2025, murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
Metro 5.3.25. Article by Brooke Davies. Photo uncredited.
Day 65: Robert Pattinson
As Mickey Barnes in the film 'Mickey 17', directed by Bong Joon Ho, produced by Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Dooho Choi. Based on the novel 'Mickey7' by Edward Ashton.
London Standard 6.3.25. Cinematography by Darius Khondji/ Warner Bros.
Day 66: RIP Poppy Atkinson, c2015 - 2025, killed by a car driving onto a football pitch.
Metro 7.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 67: Abdulrazak Gurnah
Writer and Nobel Prize winner, who came to the UK as a refugee in the 1960s. India Block reviews his new book 'Theft'. London Standard 13.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 68: RIP Heidi Levi Lived her life modestly, after her family was killed in the holocaust, then left £1.4 million to good causes. Metro 13.3.25. Photo: SWNS*.
Day 69: Gina Martin
Campaigned for upskirting to be an offence, after being targeted in 2017. Incidents are rising by the year. Metro 10.3.25. Article by Luke Alsford. Photo: Getty*.
Day 70: Franco Villani
NHS worker who was 'deliberately targeted' (a tribunal found) by his 'managers' after 'raising health and safety issues'. One called him 'a wasp that needs swatting'.
Metro 11.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 71: Unnamed man, Pakistan
More than '50 attackers and some of the hostages were killed, but security officials said more than 300 were rescued after a day-long stand-off', when the BLA hijacked the Jaffar Express train. Metro 13.3.25.Article by Rasool Dawar. Photo: AP*.
Day 72: RIP Claudiu Carol-Kondor, c1983 - 2025, murdered whilst delivering Amazon parcels.
Metro 13.3.25. Article by Katie Boyden. Photo uncredited.
Day 73: Lizzo
She 'looked as good as hell as she roared back on to the stage after nearly two years away from live performances'. Metro 14.3.25. Photo: Getty*.
Day 74: Unnamed person
Packing Russian-caught fish, which is being shipped to the UK via other countries. It's a loophole in the law. i 14.3.25. Article by Cahal Milmo. Photo: Getty*.
Day 75: Unnamed girl. London
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Metro 17.3.25. Photo: Shutterstock/ Resuni williamsuters*.
Day 76: Rachel Zegler
As Snow White, has been barraged with racism. Review by Tori Brazier. Metro 20.3.25. Photo: Disney*.
Day 77: Carol Clark
Murdered in 1993. Her killer has never been found. Metro 18.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 78: Unnamed woman, identifying a body in Gaza. Metro 19.3.25. Photo: AP*.
Day 79: Suni Williams
Returns safely to Earth after 288 days stranded on the International Space Station, along with Butch Williams. Both astronauts featured on last year's 'faces', when their spacecraft suffered technical problems. Metro 20.3.25. Photo: Uncredited*.
Day 80: RIP Tuppy Owens, 1944 - 2025, sex therapist and campaigner.
Cut from: i 22.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 81: David Allvin
Boss of the US Air Force, which will be getting 'the most lethal fighter jets ever, as President Trump announces a £15b contract with Boeing.
i 22.3.25. Article by Euan O'Byrne Mulligan.Photo: Anna Moneymaker/ Getty.
Day 82: RIP Nikol Haranskyi, c2019 - 2025 Killed, aged 5, by Russian bombs on Kyiv.
Metro 24.3.25. Article by Luke Alsford. Photo uncredited.
Days 83: Ekram Imamoglu
Charged with corruption and taken to jail, where he will be unable to challenge Erdogan in Turkey's next presidential election. Metro 25.3.25. Article by Huseyin Hayatsever. Photo uncredited.
Day 84 + 85: Hideko and Iwao Hakamata
Hideko fought half her life to free her brother, Iwao, the world's longest serving death row inmate. He was cleared of murder, after 46 years in prison. Metro 27.3.25. Photo: AFP*.
Day 86: Kim Kardashian
Robbed of £7.75m's worth of jewellery (including a $4m engagement ring from ex-husband Kanye West) in 2016, Kim will testify at the trial in May 2025. Metro 27.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 87: Ron Walters
A metal detectorist who 'stumbled across a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman coin in a farmer's field'.
Metro 27.3.25. Article by Ed Chatterton. Photo: SWNS*.
Day 88: Russell Tovey
That 'art geezer who also does all the art shit'. London Standard 27.3.25. Photo by Dave Benett.
Day 89: Derek Jarman, 1942 - 1994 Artist, activist and Russell Tovey’s ‘most iconic Londoner'.
London Standard 27.3.25. Photo uncredited.
Day 90: Mitchell Feldman
Received death threats for driving a £44k Tesla car. Tesla is owned by Elon Musk who was the leader of the US Department of Efficiency that aims to slash spending. Metro 21.3.25. Photo uncredited.
* The photo credits, above, are as they appear in the articles from which the ‘sitters’ were cut. For the record, I don’t accept the name of a company as a photography credit. There was an actual person behind the camera. If you are that person, or know them, please give me a shout. Also, the information in the articles may be fabricated. I use the Metro and London Standard newspapers because they are free. I couldn’t afford to make this piece if I bought a more reputable publication every day.
Civilisation. Barbican Library, London EC2. 1st - 28th August. Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30-5.30; Tues + Thurs 9.30-7.30; Sat 9.30-4. Check for time changes on the library website. I am aiming to be there Mondays + Saturdays. PV: Mon 4th Aug, 6-8.25pm. No booking required.