Going, going… – Jan Scrine

The City’s historic buildings were made
Of local materials by local trades.
The Severn delivered the Cathedral’s red stone
And Tudor House timbers by beast sled were drawn.
The Guildhall’s red brick used the flood plains soft clays,
But the smoke from the brick kilns blighted residents’ days.
Victorian transport was by canal and by rail;
Lloyds Bank’s granite pillars from Aberdeen hail.
The twentieth century brought materials new –
Aluminium, chrome, plate glass – the shop windows grew
Larger and brighter to showcase new wares
To attract the visiting passers-by‘s stares.
There’s carbon embodied in these buildings’ deep core;
Demolishing, removing waste releases more.
Those concrete replacements have big carbon feet,
Gas from the limestone, manufactured with heat,
Then transported long distances, are you getting the gist?
The greenest of buildings is one that exists.
Can we refurbish, re-purpose the buildings in place?
Retaining the character of our city’s face,
Cutting carbon emissions, our future to heal –
Enjoying the heritage that survives in this deal!