Land search document, dated July 1931, for a parcel of land, .940 acres, that adjoins Oakfield.

Legal copies of legal charges(Mortgages) taken out on Oakfield. One dated 27 November 1930 between GS Mottershead and Messrs CP Smith and J Eustace Jones for £2300, another, dated, 28th March 1931 between GS Mottershead and Richard Stanley Wood for £350.
Legal charge(Mortgage) document dated 8th July 1931 between GS Mottershead and Barclays bank Ltd signed on 29th June 1931 with acknowledgement of payback of £100 dated 27th September 1934.

Letter, dated 26th January 1931, from the town clerk from City of Chester to JG Lightfoot informing him that the inquiry by the inspector of the ministry will take place in the town hall on February 6th 1931

Letter, dated 12th May 1931, from the Town Clerk, City of Chester Council to Messrs Whiteley & Bevan informing them that the Ministry of Health did not want to add any further conditions to the planning decision and that their client could now proceed with the development outlined in the letter of the 12th March 1931.

Letter from GS Mottershead to the Ministry of Health, dated February 8th 1931, detailing a list of animals that GS Mottershead would be happy to draw from. His principal collection would be birds.

Letter, dated 19th May 1931, from Messrs & Bevan to Mr G S Mottershead informing him that the Ministry of Health had given formal effect to the Ministry of Health's decision regarding the planning matter regarding Oakfield and enclosing a copy of the Instrument and other copies of letters detailed already in CZ-LEG-2-11.

Letter, dated 21st January 1931, from the Ministry of Health to Messrs Whitely and Bevan regarding the appeal against the refusal of City of Chester Council to allow the Oakfield to open as an Aviary and Zoological gardens. The date of the inquiry being 6th February 1931. It details how the inquiry should be advertised to owners of neighbouring land.

Letters detailing the results of the inquiry by the ministry of health inspector with his reasoning why he is allowing the application to proceed with the conditions that need to be complied with.

Copy of letter, dated 1sy May 1931, from the Town Clerk of City of Chester Council to Ministry of Health asking for a further condition be applied to the planning permission given by the Ministry of Health for the Aviary and zoological Gardens at Oakfield. Letter, dated 11th May, from Ministry of Health to the Town Clerk of the City of Chester Council informing that the Minister is not justified in adding the extra condition, an instrument will be sent to the council asap. Letter, dated 18th May 1931, from the Ministry of Health to Messrs Whiteley & Bevan informing them of the decision by enclosing the letters above.

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5 photos show the exterior of Oakfield House.
1 photo shows the Party Sales Office inside Oakfield House in the 1970s.
1 photo shows Sandra Williams, long-standing receptionist and telephone operator, circa 1976. A note on the back of this photo says: "This was taken when the Zoo's switcboard (old-fashioned, plug in, peg system) and the equipment on her left was the radio system. This [office] was located at the very far end of the left corridor in Oakfield House - right at the very end - in a cubby hole - now an IT room or in whatever became Peter Stevens' office (Curator of Birds 1980)."

Oakfield House and lawn in snow

Includes photos of: exterior of Oakfield House; rooms set up for events; rooms set up for meetings; kitchens; corridors and stairs; decorators refurbishing interior; Oakfield roof refurbishment; The Lodge roof refurbishment; the maintenance yard in Stables

This book was conceived by Lady Arthur Grosvenor as fundraiser for the of One fund raiser for Oakfield Volunteers Aid Detachment Hospital during the first world war. was through the sale of ‘Birthday Books’. It contains photographs of the patients and staff at Oakfield and each day was accompanied by a quotation. It contains handwritten names reflecting their birthdays

Summary conveyancing accounts from Messrs Whiteley and Bevan, Solicitors, for purchase of Oakfield by Mr George Mottershead

Telegram from Bevan, solicitor, to Mottershead informing him that consent was given after the inquiry. dated 13 march 1931