TOTTALLY agree with that sentiment !...best drama on TV this year by a mile !..so .heartwarming and touching !

who is lady katherine based on?

I watched this programme this evening for the first time. I just found it slow and a bit over sentimental. It has all the ingredients for a good drama but it just doesn't cut it for me

There is a lot in the media and in the internet about June Williams nee Mottershead but very little about her sister.

This should have been on at a weekend for family viewing. If BBC any sense they will show it again as it is not getting the viewers it should. It is so annoying how shows are thrown away with scheduling.

If you only saw it today then obviously it is going to seem slow. Truth is it is in its final stages and the programme has largely told the story so all you saw was the final battle to save the zoo. It's a bit odd watching episode 5 of a 6 part series and then saying it felt slow! This is a drama that has something for everyone. It really is a beautifully filmed, stunning drama series. It deserves a repeat and a second series.

You should have watched it from the start as its always difficult joining a drama after 4 episodes !...sentimental does it for me !

I'm so enjoying this series but of course it should be on at 8pm on a Sunday. I really had to laugh when I saw the scene with the typing test. One of the girls had her elbows on the table when she was typing - that just didn't happen when typing on a manual typewriter. Also I really don't think the family would have been cuddling those baby bears but never mind it's still very enjoyable.

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/ne...s-show-7825786
But although Our Zoo may be a TV drama only based on a true story, the animosity towards the Mottersheads and their plans to build Chester Zoo, rings true, according to Upton historian Phil Pearn.

“It is a drama based on a story and they have made drama of the general gist of it, but there really was a lot of opposition to it because people just didn’t like change,” he said.

“My understanding is that there were aristocratic figures around at the time -which would explain the character of Lady Katherine in our Zoo. I believe it was the Duke of Westminster who supported Mr Mottershead at some point, so we weren’t all together surprised when we saw the character of Lady Katherine - there were some people who helped them out.

“You can understand - zoos are set up by authorities and to have this private person come in and basically say, ‘I want to build my own zoo without bars where animals can roam freely’, that was quite shocking to the community.

An interesting article, with photos, here:
https://worldwarzoogardener1939.word...rst-world-war/

Ok but it might explain why the ratings are low.

October 27.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Zoo-DVD/...Z0MQ4K6Z074TF1

Quote:
Originally Posted by lundavra
I had a look at some trees on Ancestry last week, several show Mew having died in New Zealand but no date. I think it was 1956 that she was on a passenger list travelling there and seems to be intending permanent residence. She was single and a zoological supervisor (I think - from memory).


She travelled to Canada in 1952, her home address given as North of England Zoological Gardens, Upton Heath, Chester, occupation Zoo Supervisor; and in 1956 she travelled to New Zealand, home address given as Zoological Gardens, Chester, occupation Zoological Supervisor, country of future residence New Zealand.

Had to smile that the notes that were shown being counted out for the purchase of the bear were clearly the types in use in the early 1960s. Silly really because all they needed to have was one or two pieces of folded white paper to look authentic, as white fivers of the day had nothing printed on the back.

I was just pleased to see the female bear safely delivered of two cubs as I've been 'expecting' a baby bear to appear for quite some while now.

Work at the zoo in the early days as it was being established must have been tough, particularly for the family. They all had to worked long hours with little free time or money. Muriel (Mew) was made head keeper by her father and was very dedicated to the animals in her care. However, she did want to see the world. I think one of Lizzie Mottershead's brothers had emigrated to New Zealand and raved about it. So in the 50s, when the zoo was established and growing rapidly so no longer just a family concern, Muriel left for New Zealand. I would imagine more about Muriel can be found in June's book. 'Our Zoo', which will be available from next week. It has been written by June with the help of Pepsy Dening.

Yes that was very telegraphed.

I love this so much. Found last nights episode quite stressful and am amazing that the Zoo ever got approved.

As for the vicar what a nasty piece of work!

I see there is a book that I have a feeling can only be brought from the BBC shop So going to see how much it will cost.

I believe that there will be more series as June has many tales to tell. Someone said that, I think 'George', was on a programme and said there will be more.

Last episode next week

Thank you, I hope so.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reared-Chest.../dp/0955970202
Reared in Chester Zoo - The Story of June Mottershead Paperback – 24 Jul 2008
http://www.janicemadden.com/servlet/...ge&pageID=1206
June Mottershead the last surviving member of the family who founded Chester Zoo met with Janice following her reading of Just A Girl From Crewe and asked if Janice would write about her life from 1930 until 1948.

Janice visited England on two occasions to work on the book and it was completed in June 2008.

Janice wrote the story using the facts, photographs and incidents from June's early years.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...VY791D7FCZ2BF7
Our Zoo Hardcover – 9 Oct 2014
by June Mottershead

That was why I had a quick look to see if I could see anything.

There is free access to the New Zealand newspaper archive but I was not seeing any references to her but it could just be that they do not have more recent newspapers.

The Australian newspaper archive has some interesting wartime reports from the UK about Chester Zoo.

Including!

MONKEY COMMITS SUICIDE First Known Case

Thank you so much for the links. I never thought to search Chester Zoo

I did put in Our Zoo but nothing came up for me

Thank you again

Still enjoying this programme.

In next weeks preview it shows the vicar in his true light ! i was wrong i thought he would come good ...i thought Lizzie would have layed into him when George was away but she seemed quite diplomatic towards him ! ...ill be suprised if theirs not a 2nd series as its set up for that !

I thought Lizzie was to nice to him knowing what he was doing. weird for a vicar to be bad!

I am sure my sister said that one of the actors were on BBC Breakfast this weeks saying that there will be another series as June has a lot more tales to tell. I hope so.