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Centre for Alternative Technology turns 40 |
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4 Aug 2014, 1:25 PM
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The Centre for Alternative Technology celebrated four decades of green revolution this weekend, during which time the pioneers have transformed the character of their local town, pioneered new energy technologies and constructed a water-powered railway.
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The Centre, established in a disused slate quarry near Machynlleth has also created hundreds of jobs and a tourist attraction that draws in around 70,000 visitors a year.
Many of their once radical ideas on alternative technology are now mainstream, but CAT’s original aim to democratise technology remains unfulfilled, and there is a realisation that its mission is far from complete. Some of its recipes for achieving a zero-carbon Britain remain unpalatable to politicians and the public alike.
Over the last 4 decades CAT has informed, inspired and enabled an estimated 2 million people who have visited the centre, taken part in courses and workshops and become change-makers in building a sustainable UK.
“Our 40th anniversary is not only a chance to look back on the work of this incredible organisation over the last 40 years, but also to look forward to the next 40. It is vital that we take action now to build a sustainable society for a changing planet. The work of CAT through its graduate school, courses, educational programmes, visitor centre and zero carbon project is crucial in order to inform, inspire and enable that change.” said Adrian Ramsay, CEO of CAT
To mark the occasion on the 26th of July the National Library of Wales received over 90 oral history interviews, hundreds of documents and publications, approximately 1000 photographs and a selection of digitised videos from the past 40 years of CAT. Also featured during a lively day-long programme are an exhibition of historic material from the CAT archive, an oral history performance of stories from the women’s archive at CAT, and audio-visual installations from artists Christine Mills and Carlos Pinnati, and Dan Gifford and Anne-Marie Carty.
According to Allan Shepherd, Voices from the Valley Project Co-ordinator,
“The Archive Launch is the culmination of three years of work involving hundreds of people across the Dyfi Valley and beyond. Over the last 40 years CAT has become an important part of the cultural landscape of Wales, influencing technological development, public opinion and government policy, as well as changing the lives of people who have come into contact with it. It’s fitting the archive is finally arriving at the National Library of Wales, one of the great guardians of Welsh cultural life.”
On 2nd of August there was a party: “For one special day, we’ll welcome members, students and alumni, former staff and volunteers, neighbours, friends and supporters as we look back on the achievements of the environmental movement and showcase the best in sustainable solutions.” Kim Bryan, spokesperson for CAT.
Visitors learned how to build with straw bales, carve a wooden bowl or get to grips with basic carpentry. There were tours of the prolific organic gardens, rammed earth buildings, woods and wildlife areas. CAT’s talented artists in residence were on hand to unveil their latest works, while film screenings, children’s activities, market stalls, live music and bicycle displays brought ‘the Quarry’ to life. As usual, the CAT restaurant was offering its fresh seasonal specialties, plus the new “Quarry Ruby Ale,” an ale brewed for the occasion by Cader Ales in Dolgellau.
Nevertheless, according to Roger Harrabin in the Guardian, the centre is starting to ask “where next”? The success of the technologies that CAT pioneered has drawn well-funded institutions into this increasingly contested intellectual space.
Some answers can be found in CAT’s latest document – Zero Carbon Britain, which argues that it is possible to achieve zero emissions in the UK using current technology, if only politicians have the will, and the public is supportive.
The recipe involves eating much less meat and dairy produce, and living closer to work. Harrabin concludes that achieving this will prove an uphill task for even this dedicated band on the mountainside.
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