Showing posts with label CAT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CAT. Show all posts

Sunday, March 25, 2007

One Daffodil


One Daffodil Can Make a Difference

Visiting the Centre for Alternative Technology has been like opening the door to a Wonderland. I've been reading the Crazy Idealists? The CAT Story and everything just resonates.

During my visit there were two things that really struck me. At the beginning, the intro video playing at the site which stated that if the rest of the world behaves like we have done in the West, we'll require something like two more earths in addition to this one to support it! From then on it was if the door had been opened, I'd passed over the threshold and I'd come home. Just before I left I saw the daffodil growing on the living roof of a building and I thought, that's what I want.

CAT was set up in 1974 - I was 14. It's taken a long time for me to reach this point and I've been on many journeys but the biggest one begins now. We are planning our sustainable house, a not so Grand Design but oh, so great for the environment.


I'm at the last chapter of Ballard's 1973 novel Concrete Island - another 'must read'. This is the third of his books I've just read and every one of them is socially pertinent to today and tomorrow. I'm finding they dovetail with what CAT are saying - he is the Oracle of Shepperton.


rustle
(Just watched the Bioshock teaser over on Eurogamer - WoW!)


Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Centre for Alternative Technology

Visited the Centre for Alternative Technology (C.A.T.).

It's in Wales and is a beacon for sustainability in everyday life. It is situated in an old Welsh slate mine and was set up in 1974. The place itself is a beautiful haven but as you thread your way around the site, you discover its buildings and ideas and its inspirational effect is captivating. You can make a difference.


on a hill

In reading about the history of the place and people, I found out that Peter Harper (he coined the term 'Alternative Technology') a founding member of CAT was influenced by Bestall's Rupert!

This place is important!

Centre for Alternative Technology
Machynlleth
Powys
SY20 9AZ
UK.

http://www.cat.org.uk/index.tmpl



Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.