New Year Honours: CAT's award-winning architect gets MBE

Mr Borer describes WISE in Machynlleth as the 'peak' of his work for CAT over the years

The architect behind an award-winning building at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has received a MBE in the New Year Honours.

Pat Borer, from Croesoswallit, Powys designed the £8m Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE).

The series of courtyards and cloisters opened in 2010 on a hillside at the centre in Machynlleth.

Mr Borer has a 40 year involvement with CAT and now teaches architecture inside the building he created.

"Part of the joy is seeing architecture students get inspiration from it and hopefully they'll be green architects of the future," he said.

'Incredible contribution'

Mr Borer has been involved in designing a series of buildings at the centre, all with a brief of being low energy and sustainable.

"The award is lovely but it's as much for all those involved in CAT as myself."

Another MBE goes to Maureen Spowart-Davies, from Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion.

She is secretary of trustees with the Help Us Survive (Huts) Workshop mental health charity and the driving force behind the conversion of an old community building.

Her nominees said Mrs Spowart-Davies, 69, "continues to make an incredible contribution to the running of the workshop on a daily basis".

She was also behind the project to convert an old school into a community hall.

BEMs were awarded to Knighton town councillor Roger Bright and Joy Cook, for services to the community in Borth, Ceredigion and Penry Lewis, from Rhayader, Powys for his work with conservation and angling in mid Wales.

There was also a BEM for Patricia Davies, 68, for services to the community in Llangynidr in Powys.

Ms Davies has been involved in fund-raising for local charities and the village hall, she plays the organ for the United Reform chapel and is chair of Breconshire Women's Institute.