The trip to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Mid Wales has been one the highlights of the ECI MSc for about 20 years. I was lucky enough to accompany the group again this year. It is a wonderful few days, with fun workshops on wind farm planning, low energy futures, and visits to a solar farm, a hydro plant and a wind farm. There were parties, pizza, lots of delicious food at the CAT cafe, and wonderful conversations.
Last year (2019) we offered a week at CAT as one of the LIGC weeks, but nobody signed up! I think we didn’t explain it well enough, and I’m not sure we can now. CAT is magical, and those who visit fall in love with the place, but it is one of those experiences that is hard to describe. It’s about slowing down, stepping outside our usual hectic lives, finding time to think and connect. It’s a small haven with warm beds, fantastic food, and beautiful nooks and crannies to hang out in with friends, as well as a laboratory for low carbon living and a change to explore and exchange new ideas. We think its a great place for a small group of teens to have fun, learn some stuff, and explore the local mountains and beaches. Perhaps we’ll try again in 2021!
Kim Polgreen