Our Zoo
Our Zoo by June Mottershead, published by Headline Publishing Group on May 21, 2015, is a memoir that recounts the extraordinary experiences of June Mottershead as she grows up in a unique environment. Set against the backdrop of her father George’s dream to create a zoo without bars in Upton-by-Chester, this 288-page book captures the charm and challenges of her childhood, where animals like chimpanzees, lion cubs, and parrots became part of her everyday life.
In this engaging narrative, June shares the trials her family faced, including community rejection, financial struggles, and the impact of World War Two on their zoo. The memoir highlights the resilience and determination of her father, as well as the deep connections formed with both the animals and the people around her. Readers will find a vivid portrayal of life in a zoo during its formative years, enriched by themes of nature and personal memoirs, making it a fascinating glimpse into a world where animals were not just part of a business but integral to family life.
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‘With characteristic self-effacement, she puts the escapades of charismatic animals ahead of her own feelings.’ The Guardian.
When George Mottershead moved to the village of Upton-by-Chester in 1930 to realise his dream of opening a zoo without bars, his four-year-old daughter June had no idea how extraordinary her life would become. Soon her best friend was a chimpanzee called Mary, lion cubs and parrots were vying for her attention in the kitchen, and finding a bear tucked up in bed was no more unusual than talking to a tapir about granny’s lemon curd. Pelican, penguin or polar bear – for June, they were simply family.
The early years were not without their obstacles for the Mottersheads. They were shunned by the local community, bankruptcy threatened and then World War Two began. Nightly bombing raids turned the dream into a nightmare and finding food for the animals became a constant challenge. Yet George’s resilience, resourcefulness and tenacity eventually paid off. Now over 80 years since June first set foot in the echoing house, Chester Zoo has achieved worldwide renown.
Here, in her enthralling memoir, June Mottershead chronicles the heartbreak, the humour, the trials and triumphs, above all the characters, both human and animal, who shaped her childhood.
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