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Description:
1979.
Aerial view of Lotherton Hall taken in 1979 from the Skyview Aerial Archive. The Hall is visible in the centre with its formal gardens. Behind Lotherton Hall to the right the Bird Garden is under construction. The construction workers were a group of 16 year-olds taking part in a joint employment scheme run by Leeds City Council's Department of Leisure Services and the Manpower Services Commission. The Bird Garden opened in April 1980 on the site of the old kitchen gardens belonging to the Gascoigne family of Lotherton Hall. After the initial success of the new venture, the scheme was resumed and new additions to the Bird Garden opened in 1983. The aviaries were constructed from reclaimed timber. Nowadays, over 200 species of bird, many rare and endangered, can be viewed by the public. The buildings left of the Hall were former dwellings, stables and motor car garages. In 1985 the Stable Cafe opened there and there is also the Estate gift shop.
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