Our Zoo

I've only watched the first episode, but I do agree that the little girl is a wonderful actress - so natural.

I like it. Very worrying about the bear!

Lovely feelgood TV. Wonder how near the truth it is?

I think it is based on a book by the little girl, June, written when she was grown up.

Here is something about it:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593529/Images-life-growing-daughter-owner-Britains-biggest-zoo.html

A nice little programme to watch in the evening, I read somewhere that it should be Sunday evening viewing, and I am a bit inclined to agree with that. Enjoying it, a little bit of whimsy does us all good at times, I think.

Thanks for the link rosequartz. I live just a few miles from the zoo and enjoyed seeing the photos. Unfortunately I missed the first programme so will have to catch up. A programme to watch with the grandchildren possibly (and then take them to the zoo).

I am also enjoying this programme. At least we know that the Zoo was acheived.

What wonderful photos on the link, Rosequartz, thank you.

Its lovely- enjoyed the penguins enormously.

Thanks for the link Rosequartz. Lovely pictures and very interesting story. She must have been devastated when her dad sent her lion cub away.

I have only seen the first episode but have the next two recorded so am looking forward to catching up.

I love it, brilliant acting, and animals, so much better than boomers

I'm addicted to this too and can't understand why the rest of my family isn't. We have been to Chester Zoo a few times and I have watched all three episodes so far. The character played by Anne Reid (June's grandmother) is very believable. Seems like the camel in the backyard was artistic licence though! Thanks for that link rosequartz - I wonder if June Williams is now on Gransnet?

Was googling bear and Chester just to see if anything newsworthy happened in real life and have discovered that June Williams actually appeared in this week's episode as one of the protestors against the zoo!

www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-zoo-founders-daughter-make-7785033

I remember visiting a lady many years ago who lived right opposite the zoo. I presume she had bought her house after the zoo was founded.

Such a good programme and totally delightful to watch we visit the Zoo a couple of times a year and have done for a very long time adopting different animals every year the children love going as it is right on our doorstop only takes 20mins to get there so a really good day out for us even when weather is bad there is always some thing exciting to see.All started with a little monkey which was a common sight years ago with sailors bringing them home from their travels.I've not seen this weeks episode so must do a catch up.

I think one reason I'm enjoying it is, as Shysal said, we know that the zoo was created - so all the setbacks and negativity and people thinking he's a crackpot are not causing me too much anxiety.

Also he seems to have the animals interests at heart and is mainly rescuing animals that have been badly treated or aren't going to be looked after. I'm hoping that the posh Lady neighbour isn't going to bring him back some wild cubs from her next jaunt to Africa (although if they were going to get hunted otherwise....?).

Starling that's lovely - about the real June appearing in the show.

Yes although must be a bit weird for her to be in a reconstruction of her own childhood.

I enjoyed the first episode but then missed a couple. Watching last weeks episode, I felt that there were too many personal relationships being created that probably never happened; I think they should just concentrate on the animals. Am I being a grump by saying I never understand the need to bring love stories into everything ?

I see what you mean. Everyone seems to have a potential "love interest" plot-line! If the story is mostly based on the little girl's diary I suppose you're right and they have been added in.

I do like the characters of the posh lady though and the entrepreneurial brother in law.

It's bothered me from the start that I couldn't place where I'd seen Liz White before, but I've just googled it and she was in Life on Mars [a series that didn't disappoint in any way; certainly not the first series anyway]. I'll still watch it, though. It's years since I went to Chester Zoo; I must go again.

I recognise her too but I didn't watch Life on Mars.....

She was in The Woman in Black as well [I didn't watch that film because my son, who laughs at me for being scared of films such as The Exorcist was completely freaked out by it ; I've seen the stage play, though, and that didn't bother me much]. And a few other things that I haven't seen.