Company Outline

CAT encompasses an eclectic mix of activities from environmental education and regional tourism, to ethical trading, publishing and environmental consultancy services

Mission Statement

CAT is concerned with the search for globally sustainable, whole and ecologically sound technologies and ways of life.

Within this search the role of CAT is to explore and demonstrate a wide range of alternatives, communicating to other people the options for them to achieve positive change in their own lives.

This communication involves:

• Inspiring- instilling the desire to change by practical example
• Informing- feeding the desire to change by providing the most appropriate information
• Enabling- providing effective and continuing support to put that change into practice.

CAT has an holistic approach to its work, integrating ideas and practice relating to land use, shelter, energy conservation and use, diet and health, waste management and recycling.

Through its resident community and work organisation, CAT is also committed to the implementation of co-operative principles and the best achievable environmental practices.

The visitor centre
In the heart of beautiful Snowdonia, this unique visitor attraction is guaranteed to entertain, inform and fascinate all the members of your family.

Lifted up by 'the water-balanced' cliff railway with its breathtaking views visitors arrive at our 7 acre display gardens, crammed with exhibitions displays and information. Centre for Alternative Technology is concerned with presenting solutions to environmental problems, rather than the doom and gloom view, we take a positive and uplifting approach, demonstrating all kinds of environmental technologies in an interesting and informative way. Whether you want learn all about the environment, how to save energy and money in your home or just enjoy the gardens, shops and restaurant it will be an experience to treasure and remember.

CAT began as an experimental sustainable community over 25 years ago, since 1974 it has evolved into Mid Wales' most unique and popular visitor attraction. In the main holiday periods we run special events for children, with drama, interactive fun and a presentation on our unique 'Gaiascope' - a giant television kaleidoscope.

Other activities at the Centre include publishing, running residential courses, day visits for schools and colleges, as well as an extensive mail order service and an award winning website.

Recent activities

Recent developments at the Centre include the completion of public information centre (AtEIC), what must be Britain's fist straw-bale built theatre for environmental education and the installation of an integrated photovoltaic roof on our main office building. The AtEIC building combines cutting edge environmental design with environmentally benign materials, no chemical paints, cement or tropical hardwoods here, built on a green oak fame, with rammed earth pillars for walls and insulated with sheep's wool it is a bold and optimistic statement of the possibilities for the future.

New projects, displays and courses are evolving continuously as we try and keep up with the surge of public interest in green issues. Children's theatre has been a popular addition to the visitor circuit this year, whilst new courses in housing co-operatives and building with straw bale are proving very popular. Please visit www.cat.org.uk to see photo diaries of our latest projects and to check on our courses program

Contact:
Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9AZ, Wales, UK
website: http://www.cat.org.uk email: info@cat.org.uk
tel: +44 (0) 1654 705950 fax: +44 (0) 1654 702782

Mail order: for books, prices and ordering phone +44 (0) 1654 705959 or
email: mail.order@cat.org.uk or
see http://www.cat.org.uk/shopping/entry.tmpl for our on line shopping facility

Education: for courses, school/college residential and day visits phone +44
(0)1654 705983 or email: education@cat.org.uk
Membership: to join CAT and get our quarterly magazine 'Clean Slate' phone +44 (0)1654 705988 or email: ata@cat.org.uk

Consultancy services: we offer advice and project management services in the following areas

• Broad introduction to sustainable development
• Integrated renewable energy systems, planning, management and development.
• Environmental education centre development
• Biological waste treatment, composting waste, sewage etc
• Water management and treatment
• Advanced energy and resource efficiency
• Human scale management and organisational skills

Further information from info@cat.org.uk or 01654 705991

 

Click here to obtain a copy of RENEWABLE ENERGY 2008