The problem is that "local historian" can mean pretty well anything, from someone who has studied an area's physical, economic and social history in depth at one extreme to somebody who has collected a few old postcards and jotted down the memories of a handful of older residents and put them together as a 'cut and paste' book at t'other!
Chester Zoo "OUR ZOO"
- Thread starter SHAVINGTONZOO
- Start date
The problem is that "local historian" can mean pretty well anything, from someone who has studied an area's physical, economic and social history in depth at one extreme to somebody who has collected a few old postcards and jotted down the memories of a handful of older residents and put them together as a 'cut and paste' book at t'other!
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
I think they key phrase is "based on", which covers pretty much any accuracy or inaccuracy!
The historian is a bit vague:
"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..."
The involvement of the Westminsters throughout the zoo's history is fairly well documented, including in later years through the various versions of Zoo News and Guide. The Duke even donated some animals. In early years Lord Leverhulme was also involved and, perhaps more importantly, the zoo also had other key, wealthy benefactors, such as Esther Holt and Ms. Tompkins-Grafton, who donated in 1944 what in today's money would be about £700K.
True enough, wasn't Ms Tompkins-Grafton the polar bear fan?
good to have you back by the way SMR - you have been missed
... and as for this sub-plot about a naughty neighbouring aristo ....
what's that about?
what's that about?
Surprised none of the nitpickers have picked up on the fact that "Queenie" the iguana is clearly male! Or are they too worried about moustache deficiency to notice?
Funny enough this was addressed in the final episode
Animal Friendly
Well-Known Member
Judging how well this series has been received I would say there will be a second series, I have just finished reading June Motteshead's book "Brought up in a Zoo", for the second time, for some reason I enjoyed reading it second time round as opposed to when I bought it at the Chester gift shop about six years ago. There is definitely a second series in the book, the opening, at last, of the zoo, although not many visitors, the war years resulting in Muriel joining the Wrens, Charlie, the young lad from the orphanage arriving to become a brother to the young June, Punch the polar bear arriving from Shavingdon who becomes another friend to June, the rich lady who breeds spaniels who takes an interest in the zoo, Punch the polar bear in particular, the lion cub that befriends June's pet dog, Mary the chimp etc, and June proudly parading through the streets of Chester with Kay and the two elephants who have arrived by train from Northampton, the final episode could perhaps end with the polar bears at last having their new home with pool, paid for by the lady who dies soon after leaving a tidy sum to the zoo, and June herself meeting her future husband who comes to work at the zoo after serving in the RAF, the second series could be better than the first!
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
A friend asked me last night if June got to "keep" the monkey for real. I replied it was not a squirrel monkey in real life, but thought she did. I've seen it was a Gibbon they originally had, but was it kept like a pet as in the TV drama and did it stay with them?
I quite enjoyed this series and would imagine that it was the usual mix of fact and fiction for dramatic effect.
Hopefully no ibis escaped from the vandalised aviary or the creepy clergyman would have had a field day lol.
Hopefully no ibis escaped from the vandalised aviary or the creepy clergyman would have had a field day lol.
Have to agree totally! I watch very little television drama, but looked forward to Wednesday evenings, I don't know what we'll watch now it's over, maybe the recording!
I haven't commented previously on the criticism from the experts here. I understand their views, but how many dramas/films follow the book exactly? As drama, it was good and Chester don't seem to mind the extra publicity it will give them!
Maisie
Well-Known Member
I belong to a TV/media forum site and in all the posts in a very lengthy thread about Our Zoo I've seen nothing but praise for the series. I've loved every minute. I don't profess to an encyclopedic knowledge of the zoo's history and don't mind care whether it's 100% historically accurate or not. All I know is that it's been brilliantly scripted and brilliantly acted and I've been on the edge of my seat even though I OBVIOUSLY know very well that the zoo went ahead! If it brings some extra visitors to the zoo and maybe even brings round some of the "zoos should all be closed" types to realising that zoo staff do actually care about their animals and that zoos have an important conservation role to play, what's not to like?
ChesterZooFan
Well-Known Member
According to some media blogs Our Zoo HAS been commissioned for a second series!! Not confirmed by the BBC yet but seems very likely with the critical acclaim it received and the fact that the true life story gets even more interesting, as already mentioned on this thread.
Having now watched the entire series, I have to say I enjoyed it despite the inaccuracies.
However, I always thought it odd the day and time it was on. It's far better suited to Sunday evening viewing, or maybe the Beeb were worried it would trounced in the ratings by Cowell and co.
However, I always thought it odd the day and time it was on. It's far better suited to Sunday evening viewing, or maybe the Beeb were worried it would trounced in the ratings by Cowell and co.
Readers who enjoyed the series and are unconcerned by its accuracy should stop reading now ... 
For those who are interested in its accuracy the final episode again veered away from the true story dramatically. Firstly, the idea that GSM wanted to present his own case is incorrect. In Raised in Chester Zoo June makes it clear that he realised that the legal case "needed to be handled in a highly professional manner" and he engaged a barrister. Secondly the case did not revolve around the morality of a neighbouring lady aristo, nor on the war record of the postmistress's husband! It was based on the suitability of the site for a ZG and GSM's competence. The latter was based on his experience at Shavington, but since that was written out of "Our Zoo" presumably the scriptwriters had to find something else to talk about!
For those who are interested in its accuracy the final episode again veered away from the true story dramatically. Firstly, the idea that GSM wanted to present his own case is incorrect. In Raised in Chester Zoo June makes it clear that he realised that the legal case "needed to be handled in a highly professional manner" and he engaged a barrister. Secondly the case did not revolve around the morality of a neighbouring lady aristo, nor on the war record of the postmistress's husband! It was based on the suitability of the site for a ZG and GSM's competence. The latter was based on his experience at Shavington, but since that was written out of "Our Zoo" presumably the scriptwriters had to find something else to talk about!
Our Zoo
I agree totally.
The drama is loosely based on June Mottershead ( Williams) book "Reared at Chester Zoo" but as you will have seen on the credits of the programme
for "Our Zoo," the writer specifically states the drama is his creation.
Ive written for tv and to move a drama along you have to stay focused, and I think the subject was handled well, and as true to real story as it could be without losing its way.
The story was the family, the animals were incidental. Whereas in June Mottershead's book the animals were the main focus.
But that wouldnt work as a tv drama.
I worked at Chester Zoo at the age of sixteen when Mr Mott, as we affectionately called him was in his late sixties. But he was just as driven and dedicated as depicted in the drama. He was very innovative with
zoo exhibits. London zoo had more money thrown at it but Chester was a better zoo all round.There were as many gardeners as keepers, and enclosures were mainly spacious, landscaped, often including plants.
A shameless plug here, after working in over ten collections, with a second
career as comedy writer. I've penned a book about zoos, with the emphasis on humour, but also including first hand knowledge and little known facts. "Misadventures of a Zoo Keeper"
£3.08 on kindle,and a little bit more in paperback from Amazon.com
I agree totally.
The drama is loosely based on June Mottershead ( Williams) book "Reared at Chester Zoo" but as you will have seen on the credits of the programme
for "Our Zoo," the writer specifically states the drama is his creation.
Ive written for tv and to move a drama along you have to stay focused, and I think the subject was handled well, and as true to real story as it could be without losing its way.
The story was the family, the animals were incidental. Whereas in June Mottershead's book the animals were the main focus.
But that wouldnt work as a tv drama.
I worked at Chester Zoo at the age of sixteen when Mr Mott, as we affectionately called him was in his late sixties. But he was just as driven and dedicated as depicted in the drama. He was very innovative with
zoo exhibits. London zoo had more money thrown at it but Chester was a better zoo all round.There were as many gardeners as keepers, and enclosures were mainly spacious, landscaped, often including plants.
A shameless plug here, after working in over ten collections, with a second
career as comedy writer. I've penned a book about zoos, with the emphasis on humour, but also including first hand knowledge and little known facts. "Misadventures of a Zoo Keeper"
£3.08 on kindle,and a little bit more in paperback from Amazon.com
Maisie
Well-Known Member
I have the book and nearly didn't finish it. The stories are so far-fetched it's hard to believe that any are true, and in any case the writing is so bad it's nearly impossible to read. If it did ever see a proof-reader they should be fired. There are many spelling errors (feint instead of faint, chords instead of cords etc etc) as well as terrible grammar and punctuation such as sentences with a full stop. In the middle. For no reason, wrong use of your/you're, it's/its etc. It would have been a much better book with a bit more care. Even the magpie story at the end didn't redeem it, sorry.
To Masie Re: "Misadventures of a Zoo Keeper"
Sorry you didn’t like the book; it was distributed without being proof read.
Which is unforgivable. The company who published it reneged on assurances
corrections would be made. But the buck stops with me so again I apologise. I have been trying for some time to discontinue the first edition and replace it with a 2and edition, but I have been hog tied by the original publisher. Finally I have published the 2and edition which has been proofread. It also has additional chapters, but I doubt whether you would be interested. Despite typos etc, the first edition still acquired five 5 star reviews on Amazon, and favourable comments from other people. Zoo people have not complained it is far fetched. Quite the opposite. I gave it a humorous slant, but the humour arises from basically a true account of what happened. I don’t if you have a zoo background, but when you’re an insider in any field you witness things which an outsider may find incredulous. You may not believe it, but there is much more fiction in Durrell’s books than there is in mine. I omitted to mention some of the things I experienced during my time in zoos because they do sound far-fetched.
Terry Boylan author of “The Keeper and the Kept,” an account of 40 year career as a reptile keeper at Taronga and London Zoo, highly praised “Misadventures.” He called it the real deal. Malcolm Ellis ex London zookeeper and author gave the book a thumbs up, as did many others. But it was not to your taste, you were disappointed and I’m sorry you wasted your money. Send me your pay pal or other details and I’ll reimburse you.
Sorry you didn’t like the book; it was distributed without being proof read.
Which is unforgivable. The company who published it reneged on assurances
corrections would be made. But the buck stops with me so again I apologise. I have been trying for some time to discontinue the first edition and replace it with a 2and edition, but I have been hog tied by the original publisher. Finally I have published the 2and edition which has been proofread. It also has additional chapters, but I doubt whether you would be interested. Despite typos etc, the first edition still acquired five 5 star reviews on Amazon, and favourable comments from other people. Zoo people have not complained it is far fetched. Quite the opposite. I gave it a humorous slant, but the humour arises from basically a true account of what happened. I don’t if you have a zoo background, but when you’re an insider in any field you witness things which an outsider may find incredulous. You may not believe it, but there is much more fiction in Durrell’s books than there is in mine. I omitted to mention some of the things I experienced during my time in zoos because they do sound far-fetched.
Terry Boylan author of “The Keeper and the Kept,” an account of 40 year career as a reptile keeper at Taronga and London Zoo, highly praised “Misadventures.” He called it the real deal. Malcolm Ellis ex London zookeeper and author gave the book a thumbs up, as did many others. But it was not to your taste, you were disappointed and I’m sorry you wasted your money. Send me your pay pal or other details and I’ll reimburse you.
Does anyone know if the accompanying book is just a renamed reprint of the 'Reared in Chester Zoo' book?
I believe it is (hence why RICZ has not been reprinted prior to the TV series)
"The drama is loosely based on June Mottershead ( Williams) book "Reared at Chester Zoo"
I also think "Zoo without bars" by June Johns was a basis of the script judging by the detail of some of the storyline.
" Misadventures of a zookeeper" I will definitely have to get a copy, I read with relish some of your articles in "Cage and Aviary" always brought a chuckle.
I also think "Zoo without bars" by June Johns was a basis of the script judging by the detail of some of the storyline.
" Misadventures of a zookeeper" I will definitely have to get a copy, I read with relish some of your articles in "Cage and Aviary" always brought a chuckle.