25/02/2013 Inside Out North East and Cumbria

In the next half an hour: Shot down in her prime. As the hen harrier

disappears from northern hills, has Scotland found a better way to

protect this endangered species? There does seem to have been a

reduction in persecution up there and we would do well to look can

their example of the change in law. Can I find a Boris Of The North?

Someone who can give us a voice every bit as loud as London's Mayor.

In Westminster, who's fighting on behalf of the northeast and saying

what about investing in infrastructure, transport and

employment? Sounds like you might be the person to do it! And we put

pedal power to the test across one of the north's most popular routes.

Stories from the heart of the northeast and Cumbria. This is

They were once a common sight on the northern uplands but not

anymore. Conservationists say persecution has driven the hen

harrier to the verge of extinction here. The whereabouts of what's

thought to be the last remaining breeding pair in the north is being

kept secret. But as Danny Savage reports a lesson from north of

border might secure the bird's future here. The north used to the

last remaining stronghold in this country for one of our most

beautiful birds of prey. But it's claimed the hen harrier is now on

the edge of extinction in England, just one breeding pair remains at a

secret location somewhere in our region. The busily end of one of

these birds has become an issue for activists. We all knew her as Betty.

I fitted the device to her when she was just a few days old. Betty was

a fantastic bundle of feathers and attitude. It sounds kind of

superstitious but the natural world is such a hard place for young hen

harriers, I always like to wish them luck and this was something I

did for Betty as well. We tracked her for almost a year. In my mind,

Betty was a symbol of hope for hen harriers in England. Then one day

she stopped moving. That bird was found on these moors. Someone

somewhere, probably many miles from where she fell, had picked up a gun.

Aimed. And fired. To find out that her life had been cut so short was

devastating. I was completely gutted. Incredible. She spent her

first six months nipping across to Yorkshire and back into Lancashire.

She seemed to know where she was going. She went to Inverness she

turned around and came back. Where was she found? On a grouse moor to

the west of us here. Who do you think shot her? A gamekeeper.

you cannot prove that, can you? there is a regular disappearance of

these birds and there always over grouse moors. Why do you think they

would do that? The biggest part of their diet is grouse chicks.

hen harrier is the most persecuted bird do pray in Britain.

Gamekeepers are just the fall guys, they are the people at the front to

commit the crimes and get cot but it is people higher up who are

forcing them to do that. 11 years ago our programme uncovered

evidence of that claim. Around 10 harriers and six Peregrine's, I was

told by the keeper a but maybe we are expected to do these things.

had footage of what appeared to be a gamekeeper targeting hen harriers

in Cumbria. That was it a decade ago. The organisation representing

gamekeepers and warders say those methods have no place in modern

gamekeeping. There has not been a single instance of prosecution of a

gamekeeper for killing hen harriers and we know there are enough people

out there encouraged to look. We will have nothing to do with

persecution or any illegal act. If anybody is aware of any illegal act

or come across evidence then the right people to deal with it by the

police. He believes there are other reasons for the decline of these

birds in England. As a result of very bad springs the breeding

activity has fallen off and the numbers have gone down. Talks to

find a compromise have been going on for years. Recently the at RSPB

and others or walked out. We have this dialogue and that the same

time while we were trying to work out a way forward hen harriers were

disappearing going towards extinction. The time for talking is

over. We need to have some kind of emergency action. The in Scotland

they were also at their wits end and so they toughen the law. A

landowner could now be shown to be responsible for the death of a bird

of prey effect was proven a member of his staff had pulled the trigger.

We realised that what we had to do was go that step further. Now

estate owners and managers have to have a much better handle on what

is going on, on their estates. There are indications now that the

recorded incidence of poisoning of birds of prey is declining. That

has led campaigners to call for its introduction south of the border.

introduction south of the border. Currently the law is plainly

inadequate. The Government would do well to look at that as an example

and bring it in. We have got to find some way forward for the

species. A spokesman for the moorlands Association who himself

is a lawyer questions the right for criminalising this offence.

should we do this for birds of prey when there are other issues which

are equally as important. When someone has a bee in their bonnet

about this why does it become so important when other things like

murder become not so important? it was not for a change in the law,

what? The moor land Association says ex-members where are already

doing their bit with careful management of moors by things like

this, the careful burning of small sections of heather. We keep the

moors in peak condition. All the time doing this creates a healthy

environment for many types of birds including the hen harrier which

they believe can exist side by side with grouse. Without grouse-

shooting they believe the uplands would decay and fewer species would

survive. How do you feel as a gamekeeper when a hen Harrier or

another bird of prey comes over? is Bartok's the ecosystem. I would

rather they came over in the spring than in the middle of eyebrows

drive. The array nuisance at that time when you are trying to move

the birds one way and and had their moos them the other way it is a bit

annoying. We did do anything to get rid of them? We certainly would not

do that here. We have strict instructions not to and I think I

would soon be out of my job to be honest. We were despairing a couple

of years ago in Scotland but things have got a lot better. I would urge

you in England to give it a lot of consideration. It is so sad this is

happening. Many people should be able to share the thrill of seeing

these birds. People have been deprived of this spectacle and it

is a truly awful thing. At the moment all eyes are on Scotland.

Nobody is suggesting that they have found a total solution for the hen

harrier in the North of England but many believe a change in the law

here could have a positive effect on the species and end the

slaughter of birds like Betty. cannot deny it any more. Betty was

shot. What we need now is for the Government to step up and say they

acknowledge this is happening and need to stop it. The northern

uplands is their traditional home, while the open spaces, these places

are perfect for them, they should be here. Richmond Castle was built

to keep a lid on us northern upstarts but is it time again for

us to make our voice heard? Some say et de North banded together to

flex its muscles we could create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

London has a Mayor to fight its corner but do we need a Boris

Johnson of the North? If so, who Are we ready? A I'm taking a

journey in search of a Boris for the North. Do we need one, would we

be wealthier and, more to the point, who'd want the job? The debate has

reared its head because of the think tank, IPPR 0. They say the

North needs more powers and a leader like Boris, who's not afraid

to wield them. The Mayor of London has powers over transport, policing

and economic development. For example, he can get a meeting with

a bang, not on the door of Number 10, get himself on the front page

of virtually any newspaper in the country. So would a Northern Boris

put us on the map? I'm going to start with a man who is a mayor,

too, and he's already been dubbed the Boris of the North. A Boris

doesn't have much control over London. I have got total control in

Doncaster or. Boris really ought to call him the PETA of the South.

might not know the way around his new building but Peter Davies

certainly knows his own mind. He's controversial. He overruled his own

council to close the libraries. Will finish up in the ladies'

toilet! This morning he is discussing antisocial behaviour.

Were we acting illegally? Is that right? He is in the middle of a

new powers they've got to get tough with alcohol behaviour in the

streets. But this is what it's all about. When you are rain mayor

unique power. It's already -- it's all right when you are Ray big fish

in a small pond, but would this work on a regional level? Would you

be the Boris of the North? No. The idea is ludicrous. Why doesn't he

want the job? Well, he thinks there are too many local rivalries

between northern towns and cities to have a joint forces. So the best

way to make the North more prosperous is to use your power

only to improve your own town. think each area has got to lift

itself and encourage the people in each area to lift themselves. I'm

not sure what you are thinking we want out of all of this. I'm trying

to get a sense of what it is we need to do in the north. There's

almost a sense that in the north we are so divided. We are. A good you

are not suggesting that we should somehow unite? We can't, that's

pie-in-the-sky. People look at what I'm doing in Doncaster and copied

that, that will get them somewhere along the line. So it's your master

plan everywhere. It will work everywhere. But you don't want to

lead it? No, I want to run Doncaster up. I'm committed to the

people of Doncaster. I'm not committed to the people of anywhere

else. Thank you. His master plan is about selling Doncaster to the

world. But ruling it with a rod of iron. He thinks the northern

economy could bloom, if you focus on your own patch. Doncaster has

got everything. You are such a good salesman for your area, I just

wonder if we need a salesman for the whole of the North. I don't

want to sell the rest. I will give them ideas. So he's not up for it.

But campaigners say a United North is the only way forward. A we've

got a very divided England were bowled -- all power and economic

growth that there is is concentrated on London and the

south-east. Give us the sort of powers that Wales, Scotland and

also London have already got and watched us go. Some may be away

Boris of the North should be a business brain. This is what I call

the castle. We started off with one old Ford Capri, 25 years ago, 250

quid, and I built it into the largest supplier of any buses in

the country. Dave Fishwick is another prospective Boris. A self-

made man from Burnley. Passionate about revitalising the economy of

the North. I think we've got a slight problem where you are miles

and miles away from London. Because everybody thinks... Just a second.

Dave Fishwick. I'll just put you through. Sorry about that. I still

have the habit of answering the phone - I can't help it. The

customer has to come first. What is the biggest problem facing the

North at the minute? It's very difficult for businesses to start

up. You go to the high street bank and the bank just says no. So to

change that, Dave Fishwick took on the banks in London by setting up

his own in Burnley. Welcome to the Bank of Deva. We help people

achieve 5% of their savings. We then lend that money out to local

businesses who can't borrow from the high street banks, through no

fault of their own. I applied to run the Bank of England. What did

they tell you? Could I do a much worse job? If they were Boris, he'd

use banks like his to get the economy moving, by investing in

local businesses. How were you doing? It's like a fairy-tale! This

is Michelle's shop. That was a derelict building a few months ago.

We've lent her the money to open her own wedding business. He runs

the car-park, he borrowed money to move house. This whole street is

connected to you! And now we've got Roy, the jewellers. He borrowed

many of us to buy and sell gold and diamonds. The bank is unleashing

all of this activity. This is the Street of hope. It's about lending

money out, getting the economy going again, giving it a boost.

could a charismatic Boris be good for business? I think somebody

needs to stand up and say, look, the North is a really good place to

live, a really good place for the economy, a really good place to

work. If I could help and I would. What do you mean, help? Why don't

you do the job? I'm sure there's a lot of very capable people out

there who could do that job. If I was asked to help them of course I

would. When you drive around the town like Burnley, you see all the

industrial heritage. You are reminded of the sheer power of the

North in driving the industrial revolution. But now it's all a bit

down at heel. It's as if the North is downtrodden. A rates of

unemployment, all that different scenes of deprivation, they are

much stronger in the North of England compared with the south-

east. We are united in adversity. The most deprived region is the one

where I was born and lived, the north-east. Could a Boris of the

North come from a charity background and understand some of

these problems? 10 years ago I started a charity which works with

women and young people who are trapped in addiction, poverty and

abuse. It gives you an insight into some of the outcomes of poor

decisions and the decline in the area over the last 30 years. In

Westminster, who is fighting on behalf of the North and saying,

what about investing in our infrastructure? If Jessie Ware

Boris, she'd make transport her priority. I'm taking the train from

Newcastle to Middlesbrough. It's just under 40 miles by road. I

might be some time. HS2 is a perfect example. We are improving

links from London to Leeds, from London to Manchester, but what

about improving the transport links across the region? You kind of one

to blame the train operating companies because their logo is on

the outside of these old trains. But the rolling stock, that is

decided by government. So if we want to change things, we need to

look at central government, work out what power we have to influence

them. That's where campaigners say a Boris for the North could step in.

We suggested that we should create something like transport for the

North, which would be very similar to Transport for London. It would

allow us the powers and spending that Transport for London has. It

allows us to organise how we want to see their investment made.

are just about to arrive in Middlesbrough. It's taken an hour

and 15 minutes. We are on time. The bad news is, if I was heading to

London, in the same time I could be almost halfway there. The point is,

according to Jessie, poor roads and railways stop people getting jobs.

Transport is the key to that. it's intrinsically linked. If

people can't get here and we can't get out to places then we are

totally cut off. Do we need day Boris of the North and would you be

up for it? I love the north-east and I believe in the potential of

the North. To be a voice that would make a difference in the north,

then I would definitely do it. I would do anything if it means that

people's lives are going to be changed for the better. Journey's

End, and I've met three leaders with three different visions of how

to create a stronger North. Do we need a Boris to build bridges, or

do we just concentrate on our own corner of the North? I've written

about my hand for a Boris of the north on my blog. What do you

think? Let Beano. -- let me know. Do you fancy a challenge this

spring? If so, I might have the answer. It has only been open for

two years, but a coast-to-coast bike ride thinking Yorkshire with

Lancashire has become one of the most popular long-distance cycle

routes in the country. So we dispatched Explorer Paul Rose to

find out why the way of the Roses is proving such a hit. There's

nothing I like more than a challenge. From braving the wilds

of Antarctica to plumbing the depths of the sea. In my role as

vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society, I've been to

some of the world's most spectacular places. There's nothing

like the thrill of the sea air in Britain, especially when there's an

exciting challenge looming ahead much closer to home. Over the next

few days I'm going to be taking on the way of the Roses. Plugging into

cycle mainly on a popular route which cuts through Lancashire and

Yorkshire, showcasing some of the best landscape both counties have

to offer. It's a 170 miles bike ride from Morecambe to Bridlington.

I've come well prepared. I've got my map, in the Tube, tyre levers,

telephone, water provide, warm hat and gloves, evening wear, dancing

shoes. A more topped up and ready to go. Wish me luck. With a kindly

way from one of Morecambe's Since the Olympic cyclists struck

gold, and with Bradley Wiggins and Markovic Dominque -- dominating the

Tour de France, it seems as if the sport of cycling is in danger of

becoming a national obsession. It's going to take more than the setback

of Lance Armstrong's doping scandal to stop this obsession. I'm less

excited when I leave the front door on a simple journey as I am on a

polar journey. It's true. I'm really excited. This is a lovely

journey. It's the start of something brand new. The route is

one of the sustainable transport charity's Sustrans attempt to

establish a network of biker friendly travel routes, linking

communities without the need of a car. First, it meanders through

Morecambe and Lancaster, before breaking out into the countryside

Coming up on the horizon is settle, where there is plenty of

opportunity to stock up on supplies. This is a beautiful place to stop,

but this is also the site of one of the greatest challenges on this

ride because there's an enormous hill up there. It seems all right

so far - piece of cake! At the height above sea level nearly half

that of Mount Snowdon, it's reckoned to be the toughest section

of the route. I've changed my mind, it's starting to bite now! It is

Des two today, a Sunday, and the busiest day for cyclists on this

route. I'm up nice and early and keen to get going and find out

who's out there. Today, my journey will take it from the Yorkshire

Dales through the Vale of York and to the threshold of the Yorkshire

Wolds. A trio of delights best save it under your own steam. The route

has attracted at least 14,000 cyclists in its first two years,

among them one of the enthusiasts who helped create it. Have you seen

a real upsurge in cycling? Yes. People are taking it up because of

the Tour de France, the Olympics. We've seen cycling moving to the

front page of the paper. In business, cycling is becoming the

new Golf. People are going out and doing deals on their bikes rather

than going on the golf course. You meet lots of new cyclists, it's

amazing how much you have in common. What's your feeling on maintaining

this level of interest? We've got to keep this going to make sure

that this perfect wave carries on. With the mist closing in and Marton

due back home for a well-earned Sunday roast, it's time to take our

leave. I can't wait for what tomorrow might bring. Day three,

I'm up early. A bit of a change in the weather. But I've stopped here

in Pocklington to meet a couple for whom Cycling is a bit of a way of

life. Keith and A Benton have nearly 150 years of cycling

experience between them. Even as veterans, their annual mileage is

awesome. This year so far we've done just over 7000 miles. How did

this start? When we were first Cording, she borrowed her mother's

bike. Recycled from Cook rich, six or seven miles. She said she was

creased afterwards. Could you join me for a bit of this? We'll take

you to Driffield, to a Cloughie -- cafe. What is it that cycling

really gives you? I was told when I bought my first bike. I was able to

get out and enjoy the countryside, which normally wasn't accessible.

But to have a bike, I have the wind on my back and the sun... It was

sheer bliss. Pocklington, Tibthorpe, of Burton Agnes, it's like poetry

reeling off these wonderful East Yorkshire innings. That's it, my

last fuel stop before the end. Bridlington is five miles. But

looking at the weather, I think it will be a while before I see it.

Time to get these aching bones back in the saddle. The final push. And

so to my ultimate destination, 165 miles behind the and just five more

to go. I'm getting excited. I can almost smell that sea air. It's

going to be a real boost. And here I am at journey's end, with a final

flourish along the shores of a deserted North Sea, I have to admit

and kind of Asada have simply run out of cycle path to use up. I'm

here, after an absolutely brilliant three days. And the thing that's

been on my mind through this whole journey is just how accessible it

is. It's a lovely, easy route going through loads of great countryside.

It's well marked and anybody can do it on any bike at any level of

fitness. To come at this time of year, you get the beach to

yourself! Time for us to get on our bike now. That's it for tonight and

indeed the current series. Incredibly, we've been on your

screens for 10 years now and we will celebrate that decade with a

thank you. Not just for watching that a fair few of the stories we

cover have been suggested by you. We'd love you to continue sending

those ideas in. You can e-mail me. The address is on screen. Who