We open with an extract from a Pathe newsreel showing smog in Britain in 1952. 4,000 people died in the mixture of fog and smoke leading to the Clean Air Act of 1956. We then see views of power stations and shots of rain falling in Lincoln. The burning of coal and oil in power generation and industry has led to the phenomenon of acid rain which is dissolving the stonework on many of our historic buildings.
Views of statues and figures on the side of Lincoln Cathedral which are affected by acid rain including a frieze that has been enclosed in a wooden box to protect it. Interview with the very reverend Oliver Fiennes, the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral about the crisis. B/w still taken in 1914 of a statue and views of it today showing that the damage has been caused recently in a building that is 800 years old.
Interview with John Larsen who is the chief stone conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum who explains how acid rain causes damage particularly to limestone. Interview with Steve Elsworth who has written a book about acid rain. Views of an industrial landscape including smoking chimneys.
Interview with Christer Agren, the Swedish NGO secretariat on the situation in Scandinavia where acid rain is killing forests. Views of a forest in Sweden where not only the plant life but also the fish are being killed - the aquatic life by meltwater which is turning lakes acidic. Britain is the worst contributor in Europe to the problems in Scandinavia. Further views of power stations and continuing comments from Steve Elsworth about sulphur pollution. Interview with Sir Hugh Rossi MP, who chairs the Commons Environment Committee who shows the effect of pollution on the sandstone of Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire. B/w photo of stonework from 1950 compared with the same section today showing the damage.
The CEGB (who didn’t want to contribute to the programme) are calling for more research and blame the problems on car exhausts. Interview with Roy Martindale of the CBI who disputes the findings of the environment select committee and sides with the CEGB. Extract from a commercial produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries promoting their flue gas desulphurisation system. British companies have not done anything in this field. Continuing interview with Steve Elsworth who is in favour of the technology. Shot of nuclear power plant that could be used to replace coal fired power stations but brings its own very serious waste issues. Brief views of the district heating system in Nottingham that combines power generation and heat thereby reducing pollution. Interview with Peter Rost MP about the benefits of using the heat from power generation rather than wasting it. Stills of damaged British forests supplied by the Scottish Friends of the Earth. Details of Birmingham Town Hall, Kenilworth Castle and Lichfield Cathedral showing pollution damage (accompanied by graphic captions).
Thanks to: Bo Landin, Scandivature Films; Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission; English Heritage
Camera: Bob Bolt; Chris Connell
Sound: Vaughan Roberts; Richard Daniel; Howard Eaves; Ted Spooner
Graphics: Bob Becker
Production Assistant: Jenny Wright
Research: Nick Davidson
Senior Researcher: Vivica Parsons
Film Editor: Peter Spenceley
Executive Producer: Robin Brown
Director: John Thornicroft
Production number 3685/84.