Our Zoo - Season 1 (2014)

In 1930 George Mottershead, still tormented by memories of the Great War, where his brother died, is collecting supplies from Liverpool docks for his father Albert's shop when he sees an abandoned monkey and parrot, which he brings home. He plans to sell Mortimer, the monkey, to a circus but instead ends up rescuing an elderly camel. Younger daughter June is thrilled by the menagerie in the backyard, other family members less so. Then George accidentally comes across the dilapidated Oakfield Manor in the village of Upton, which is up for auction. Encouraged by ...

George receives more animals for his zoo as well as rescuing a fox from a hunt led by vicar Aaron Webb. Muriel is befriended by Lady Katherine whilst Lucy is still negative about the move. Lizzie goes to the council to get a business licence and is overwhelmed by the paper-work involved but finally triumphs to George's delight. George himself rescues two bears from a cave in Matlock and, helped by brother-in-law Billy, brings them to the zoo. One of the bears is sick but the village doctor sees her and appears to be an ally . Webb on the other hand, whilst charming ...

Whilst the family nurses Eve the bear back to full health, Webb and shopkeeper Camilla Radler hold a community meeting with the intention of getting the zoo closed. George sees this as an opportunity to win over the opposition by pitching his vision of the zoo to them, but he is shouted down. He is, however, cheered when a journalist named Gascoigne from the "Chester Herald" comes to write an article on the zoo; but this too fails, as the visit is less than successful and the finished piece portrays George as inept and unrealistic. On the positive side Muriel, ...