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Episode 3

Episode 3 of 6

Drama series. The family confront a barrage of hostility from the residents of Upton, but can a bunch of furry new arrivals at the zoo change their mind?

As the family nurse Eve the female bear back to health, opposition to the zoo ratchets up when an animal is spotted on land close to Oakfield. Although the sighting turns out to be a false alarm, Webb and Camilla galvanise Upton into holding a community meeting to stop the zoo. George sees this as an opportunity to pitch their vision and win the village over with their passion and enthusiasm, but Lucy warns him against it. George leads his family into battle to convince Upton that a zoo is exactly what it needs. But despite his good intentions George is shouted down and ridiculed.

The next day a despondent George is beavering away single-handedly on a new bear enclosure when he receives an unexpected visit from Gascoigne, a journalist from the Chester Herald, who is writing a piece on the zoo. Lizzie encourages George to see this as positive publicity, so George gives Gascoigne the grand tour of the chaotic grounds while the rest of the family race to get the new birds into the aviary in time. Meanwhile a reluctant June starts her first day at school, leaving Mew to feed and care for the animals, much to her distaste. But watching her dad in action she begins to understand what the animals mean to him and her barriers come down.

The family are devastated when the newspaper article portrays them as misguided and incapable, but Billy brings a delightful surprise to Upton that may finally win over the hearts of the locals... a dozen penguins.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 17 Sep 201421:00

Credits

RoleContributor
George MottersheadLee Ingleby
Lizzie MottersheadLiz White
Billy AtkinsonRalf Little
Reverend Aaron WebbStephen Campbell Moore
Lady Katherine LongmoreSophia Myles
Muriel MottersheadAmelia Clarkson
June MottersheadHonor Kneafsey
Albert MottersheadPeter Wight
Lucy MottersheadAnne Reid
PolicemanJohn Elkington
Mr John PollardGary Davis
Mrs PollardSally Bankes
Mr FowlerSteve Cooper
Camilla RadlerHayley Carmichael
Archie RadlerTom Hardman
Dr Barnaby FordHugh Skinner
Mrs Polly FordJessica Ransom
Mrs HoggJune Williams
FrankieFaye Brookes
Ronald TippingJason Watkins
HenningRichard Ridings
GascoineSimon Lowe
WriterGeorge Kay
ProducerMarcus Wilson
DirectorAndy De Emmony
Executive ProducerLuke Alkin
Executive ProducerKenton Allen
Executive ProducerMatthew Justice
Executive ProducerAdam Kemp
Executive ProducerMatthew Read
Idea OriginatorAdam Kemp

Broadcast

Behind the Scenes of Our Zoo

iWonder: The history of British zoos

iWonder: The history of British zoos

From royal beasts to modern conservation, discover the amazing history of British zoos.