We do listen and we do hear. Although there is an overall decline in farmland bird populations in the UK, we know, through our work with farmers, that on farms where the right options from the Environmental Stewardship Scheme are implemented, there is usually an increase in bird populations.

Choosing the right options is where RSPB advisers can help. The RSPB employs agricultural advisers in every region of the country who are working with farmers on the ground, offering advice and helping with applications for Environmental Stewardship grants free of charge, to benefit wildlife and the farmers without compromising their businesses.

John Harrison, who farms at Duggleby in the Yorkshire Wolds, has doubled the number of breeding lapwings on his farm in two years from 34 pairs to more than 63 pairs. He has also increased his tree sparrows from one pair a few years ago to 10 breeding pairs – each with two or three broods last spring.

Grey partridges have increased to 10 breeding pairs and this year there were three breeding pairs of barn owls. All of this has come
about through the careful siting and choice of stewardship options and John's dedication to both his farming and conservation.

We know farmers can make a difference in halting the decline of farmland birds and that is why we are working with them.


Betjeman, a true hero of the ordinary man

From: John Roberts, St John's Court, St John's, Wakefield.

THANKS to all concerned for the first public showing of the 1968 John Betjeman film Look at Leeds. Marvellous. I'm not altogether surprised that this film was never broadcast and was locked away for 40 years.

It was filmed on a grey day which didn't really show off Leeds's magnificent public buildings to best effect. Also, it was not politically correct. I can't quite see a "celeb" presenter being allowed to be so free with their views (that's if they have any); it would all have to be dressed up as "positive" PR.

Sir John dubbed the Norwich Union building in City Square (now thankfully gone) a "block of money". With the credit crunch upon us, we can see he was years ahead of his time.

This film could have been five times longer and everything he turned his attention to would have revealed a fascinating aspect. Who knew all that about the Town Hall lions? Arcades, alleyways, factories, churches, Victorian houses and cemeteries: all came under his benign, insightful eye.

The footage of Strawberry Place (Armley) with the cathedral-like bulk of St Bartholomew's church beyond the cobbled street was achingly poignant: washing line across the street, children and the black dog glancing back at the camera. Lacking in certain amenities, as Sir John admitted, but at least a real community. I sensed that some in the audience saw the film as a curio, finding the fashions amusing, such as the people enjoying a drink at Whitelocks bar. Far from it.

John Betjeman was not a Yorkshireman, but he was no fool and had an astute and prescient handle on Leeds. "All done with the best intentions," he repeated about new shopping centres. Then the sting in the tail: "Compulsory recreation," etc. He could have been talking in 2008. Social engineering we now call it. He picked up on the loneliness and isolation we see all around us today. He flew in the face of the 1968 mindset.

The final scene showed the ticket barrier at the then newly rebuilt Leeds City railway station. All orange mosaic and hardwood; actually, for the '60s, in quite good taste.

Sir John was honest, yet fearlessly and wickedly astute, with a wry humour. A true hero of the ordinary man and woman who cared deeply about the things that made for human happiness: often the unsung things we take for granted.