Visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales

I'm sorry to say I don't really agree with this idea.

Firstly, there are no Victorian terraced houses, high-rise blocks of flats or 1930s style flats at CAT.  Therefore a day trip to CAT will not enable us to understand what it is we need to do in our community which is made up of these sorts of buildings.  [Attending one of CAT's excellent course would be a different matter, but that's not what's being proposed.]

Secondly, I don't think that this will help bridge social barriers within our community but will reinforce them.  It takes about 4 hours to get to or from CAT, so the trip would need to be an overnight one, given that there's a vast amount to see and learn.  Many people do not have two days free for a trip to CAT, whether that's two days' time they don't have, or the money to travel there, pay for accommodation etc.  When I think of some of the people who helped us make last Saturday's event at AREA10 such a success - with around 150 attending - some of them simply do not have that sort of money.  I want to strengthen our links with all our supporters, and that means finding activities that everyone can participate in, and especially locally, not just those with time and money on their hands.

So, I'd very much prefer that, if there is to be a Peckham Power trip anywhere, it meets the needs we have in Peckham - learning about how to retrofit existing buildings, especially heritage terraces or social housing blocks of 1960s flats, and within relatively easy travelling distance so that the occasion can fit in with people's busy lives.  Parity Projects or the Camden CAN model retrofit house come to mind but I'm sure there are other possibilities.

All that said, if some Peckham Power members/supporters really want to organise a trip to CAT, I'm not going to try to stop them!

Best wishes,

Anna

I was thinking it might be interesting to see some of their renewable generation technologies, some of which would be applicable to Peckham.  For example, they have been experimenting with ways to build a resilient "micro grid" powered by microgen backed up with batteries which continues functioning even if the grid goes down (this is a clever trick; most microgen tech shuts down if the grid goes down).

Plus I think they've been experimenting with DIY solar thermal panels, which could also be used in Peckham.  I think it could be quite inspirational to visit CAT.

I take your point that many folks can't afford the time or cash.  But whilst I accept that there is a possibility that some people will feel left out, I do wonder whether - in practice - anyone will feel cold-shouldered if they can't go to CAT.  Say, for example, we put something in our newsletter about a group visit to CAT, then those who can't come will probably just ignore it and forget about it within minutes; they won't feel upset that they can't come (entirely possible I'm wrong, I'm just guessing based on my own experience).  I probably get 5 emails a day about fun stuff that I can't do but I just ignore and forget.  But for those people who are able to come it would be a nice way to form new friendships with local, like-minded people whilst learning about green tech.  Plus we save money if we go in a group.

But sure, I agree that perhaps we should visit some London-based projects first.

Happy to see if we can organise some learning trips around London through Project Dirt if you want. I think this could be beneficial for all.

I'd also love to go and see the team at CAT and what they're up to though at some point.

Nick