A new BBC drama based on the inspiring real story of the Mottershead family who established Chester Zoo in the 1930s will be hitting our screens soon.

With incredible single-mindedness, George Mottershead drove himself and his family to realise his ambition to transform a ramshackle house, on the outskirts of Chester, into a unique zoo that would change the way animals are kept for forever.

It was said that a visit to Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester inspired him to create ‘a zoo without bars.’ George never forgot that day, or the vow he made. In 1930, with a family and a small group of animals, he bought Oakfield Manor and seven acres of land for £3,500.

The zoo opened in 1931, and in 1934, the North of England Zoological Society was born. Keeping the young zoo open through the Second World War was no mean feat. But George did it. With the war over, the zoo began to grow – fast. One of the zoo’s slogans back then was, ‘Always building.’

The six part series follows George’s inspiring and challenging journey as he moves his wife, two young daughters and parents, along with a monkey and a parrot, into a draughty old stately home.

With a derelict plot of land, mounting debts, no resources or manpower and a concerted campaign from the local villagers to halt George’s plans entirely. It’s a race against time for the Mottersheads to build and open their zoo before the harsh winter sets in, or the bailiffs arrive.

The estate today covers a total of 500 acres. The zoo itself takes up a massive 110 acres, more than ten times the size of that first bit of land George bought in 1930.

There are now 170 buildings at Chester Zoo, from the animal exhibits to the s hops , res taurants , toilet blocks and admin offices . Plus , of cours e, the original Oakfield Manor itself and stable block, which are both Grade II listed.

George’s amazing energy, enthusiasm and skills earned him an OBE, and honorary Master of Science degree, and a term as President of the International Union of Zoo Directors. By the time he died in 1978, aged 84, George’s dream of a ‘zoo without bars’ was well and truly flourishing at Chester.

Today, Chester Zoo is not only the UK’s most popular zoo, and one of the top 15 in the world; it is also a highly respected centre for global conservation and research, and passionately campaigners for wildlife.

The zoo attracts 1.4 million visitors a year and supports and runs conservation projects around the globe and is home to 11,000 animals, 400 different species.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here