Carbon College Trip to CAT

A recent visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth has helped to inspire the team from our Carbon College programme in Newcastle under Lyme.

The team of Newcastle ‘Carbon Crushers' have been planning out energy saving projects that they will carry out in Newcastle under Lyme, with help and guidance from our staff. The trip to CAT on Saturday 8^th March 2008, enabled the group to gather loads of information and to experience renewable technologies first hand.

The group watched films, ate local food at CAT's legendary restaurant and had a guided tour by Carbon Forum staff. Following this, they set out across the site to gather information for their budding project plans and to have a play with all the interactive gadgets and technologies on site. Apart from the fun of the ‘happiness go round' and the interactive renewable energy gadgets, the group were particularly inspired by CAT's "Whole House". This building includes all the rooms of an ordinary house, but with bright information boards explaining energy use in different rooms, with an interactive laptop for visitors to work out their carbon footprints and loads of information about how people can make a difference to their carbon footprints by taking action at home.

At the end of their visit, the group were able to pick up loads of detailed information for their projects from the CAT shop. Everyone enjoyed their day and found the centre very impressive. The group are now ready to put to good use what they've learnt there and throughout the Carbon College workshops. They will start putting their project ideas into practice in Newcastle later in the Spring.