Contemplative Inquiry

The stretch of water above leads from Gloucester Docks to the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal. The canal was completed in 1827 and the buildings (above) appeared a few years later. The larger, pillared building was known as Downing’s Malthouse and stayed in business until around 1980. For some years thereafter it was used for grain storage. Now it a a Grade II listed building awaiting another life.

From the far side of the canal, the erstwhile malthouse looks tranquil and attractively derelict – solid old brick with greenery on the walls. The forces of decay are relatively slow, and ‘listed’ status provides a degree of human protection. For a few moments I am charmed by by the view. I briefly wish that it could be frozen in time, through a flies-in-aspic form of conservation, admittedly sterile. But the thought doesn’t last. We earthlings experience time and life primarily in change, events and processes – through what happens, interacts and evolves (1). These buildings weren’t designed to be monuments.

So I am glad that people and activity will be returning to Downing’s Malthouse through the building of residential apartments. Housing is in short supply here and I find myself friendly to this kind of development. The shell of Downing’s Malthouse, and its distinctive pillars, will be retained. I dare say that the smaller building will go, and so I’m memorialising it in the picture below.

(1) https://contemplativeinquiry.blog/2018/08/16/carlo-rovelli-on-time/