So far in Our Zoo, BBC1’s story of the creation of Chester Zoo, viewers have seen the Mottershead family incur the wrath of sceptics, including a reporter from the fictitious Chester Herald. But the truth is that the local press were far more complimentary of the zoo in the run up to its opening, as CARMELLA DE LUCIA exclusively reports:

Hours of painstaking research of the newspaper archives at the Chester Records Office have revealed the local media were actually much kinder than we’ve seen so far on TV in Our Zoo.

In spring 1931, a reporter from the Chronicle’s now-defunct sister paper the Chester Observer spent time with George Mottershead in the weeks and months leading up to the opening of Chester’s Zoological Gardens, and its detailed coverage provides us with a direct insight into his reasoning behind such a bold move.

The journalist visited Oakfield Manor in April that year, ‘on a mission to ascertain the position of Mottershead’s scheme’. He noted ‘a beautiful home’ where North American bears Adam and Eve had recently taken up residence following a brief escapade at Matlock Bath, shown in one of the episodes of Our Zoo.

The incident provided the national papers with copy for days, the Observer wrote, but what everyone really wanted to know was what Mr Mottershead made of all the criticism aimed at the wild animals he was housing.

“There was something said of the disturbance caused by the animals but there was no ground for it,” George told the newspaper. “The real fear is that people will be attracted into the village and some residents want them to be kept out.

“I never did intend to keep noisy animals or attract large parties and to prejudice my case, all sorts of rumours were set afloat about the proposed introduction of a race track etc. Such an idea never entered my head.

“I readily complied with conditions from the Ministry of Health that no animals should be shown within 100 yards of the highway and that advertisements of signboards should not be erected. Indeed, everything I am doing and everything I propose to do will be in keeping with these handsome buildings and the charming grounds.”

As for any disturbances the zoo might bring about, he insisted: “No rowdyism will be tolerated for a minute.”

George Mottershead being awarded an honorary degree in 1963

As demonstrated by actor Lee Ingleby in his depiction of the patriarch in Our Zoo, George also spoke of his plans to provide a place for his visitors to relax during their visit to Oakfield Manor.

“My plan is to provide teas and light refreshments for visitors requiring them. Why even people walking out from Chester will be tempted to spend hours in the grounds and feel the need of a refreshing cup of tea, which they’ll be able to get at the house,” he said.

“The only entertainment will be provided by the animals performing naturally and the monkeys will provide some fun for young and old alike. My aim is to foster an interest in animals and bird life and that is encouraged greatly if people can take photographs of them in their natural positions.”

In the interview, George admitted his dream had come at heavy financial cost, encountering legal bills he hadn’t anticipated. But he emphasised firmly: “I assure you there will not be a shoddy stick, nail or brick anywhere.”

He must have been persuasive, because by its June 13 edition, the Observer was describing Oakfield as ‘a veritable garden of Eden’.

“Mottershead and his staff have done remarkably well; a more delightful spot for an afternoon’s quiet pleasure cannot be found so near the city,” the report said.

It seems George managed to convince his local press Chester Zoo was indeed something special, but at that stage, he was still very much venturing into the unknown.

“The future is,” he explained, “on the lap of the gods. Welcome ever smiles and farewell goes out sighing. I hope those words will be very true of this place in the future.”

The rest, as they say, is history.