Despite the unusually cold weather for this time of year, the garden volunteers here at CAT have been busy hoeing our plots and planting bulbs for our organic produce. We’re planting potatoes, parsnips, beetroot and onions. Hello spring! CAT runs plenty of short courses offering practical experience of sustainable skills. Read More ››
With short-term volunteers coming to CAT for a week this May, new long-term volunteer Riccardo shares his thoughts on path-making and idealism after his first week at CAT. Having finished moving slate gravel around site to restore the Visitor Centre paths (possibly bad for the soul, but probably beneficial for my physique), as it was teatime, two interesting things happened. Firstly, I discovered it was half an hour till tea was due; secondly, Megan and Freya somehow persuaded me... Read More ››
Come and join us for an action packed Easter holiday for all the family, events will be running from the 25th of March through till the 14th of April. From daily guided tours to eco activities for children, talks, workshops, music and exhibitions there is something for all ages. There will be a daily guided tour of the CAT visitor centre exploring some of CAT’s history, renewable energies, organic gardening and sustainable architecture. Our straw bale theatre will... Read More ››
If you went to the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show a week ago, you might have been inspired by the live demonstrations of thatching, or felt the sudden urge to redecorate when you passed the stall full of sheepskin rugs. Or perhaps you realised you really did need a 2-metre 3D TV in your lounge, or maybe you simply wanted to browse whilst enjoying an ice cream from the Yorkshire Dales food cart (it’s a permanent installation). Nestled between... Read More ››
The web is choc-a-bloc with videos vying for your attention on a cold evening indoors. There are some great nuggets of green information and environmental news online. Here’s a selection of CAT’s top videos and our favourites from the rest. ZCB’s artist in residence, Joanna Wright, shared this inspiring video on zerocarbonarchive. The film by Lucas Oleniuk and Randy Risling documents a windmill builder in Africa: Germany is leading the way with renewable energy and the Energiewende. This... Read More ››
Do you fancy spending a week at our beautiful site, and being part of a team doing practical work to help CAT prepare for the main summer season? We’re holding a short-term volunteer week from 27-31 May, and we’d like to invite you to take part. The exact range of tasks on offer will depend on a number of factors, including the weather, but is likely to include work in the gardens, with our buildings and maintenance... Read More ››
The Centre for Alternative Technology is delighted to be displaying work from three of its Professional Diploma in Architecture students at the first ever Wales Festival of Architecture. Running six weeks long from 23rd March to 4th May, Aberystwyth Arts Centre is playing host to the to the new festival. Organisers aim to stimulate discussion about architecture, providing an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss the wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits that well-designed buildings can bring... Read More ››
I’ve been living in deepest, darkest Wales for nearly half a year now, surrounded by trees and forestry. However, I know next to nothing about these magical places. So earlier this month I decided to rectify this and take part in CAT’s sustainable woodland management course. I have always been captivated by being outdoors. Not gardening though. Secateurs aren’t really my thing. But the idea of managing a wild wood is a different prospect altogether. There’s something magical about woodlands. These places... Read More ››
