Inevitably, talking to people has wrought personal transformation in Evans and Roberts. Evans gives the example of Hiut Denim, one of the earliest makers the pair visited. Huit has revived Cardigan’s once thriving denim industry, re-employing real skills that were in danger of being lost. The cuts are classic, the denim built to last.
A pair of Hiut jeans costs three times more than a high street equivalent. “But it lasts ten times as long,” emphasises Evans. “Today, we perceive value in society in completely the wrong way.”
“This new book has drastically changed our outlook on how we eat,” he continues. “We now understand the power of eating locally, both economically and from a community focus. We appreciate using seasonal produce, reducing food miles and increasing taste. We have great respect for the producers we’ve met and the practices that go into getting food onto our plate.”
With Love’s two books capture and explore many current concerns – about ethical practice, about mass production, about transparency and about quality vs quantity – in very direct ways. And, in capturing and reporting on passion, for Evans and Roberts, With Love has become a passion project in its own right.
“We’re into people’s stories,” laughs Evans. “AndI like having those conversations. For a short period of time, people invite us into their lives for a short period of time.”
Along the way, the pair have gathered fond memories. Evans remembers a Scottish flour mill they visited. “This couple have a traditional water powered mill that they live in, with their kids,” says Evans. “They invited us into their home, prepared a meal for us, made fresh bread for us. We sat up drinking a really nice bottle of red wine and I remember going to bed, in their house, and the mum was singing Scottish lullabies to her kids as we were falling asleep.”
“The house was still and I remember feeling very very satisfied with my life at that point.”
The next day, the pair found themselves sitting on abeach near Arbroath, eating warmly, freshly smoked haddock smokie maker Iain Spinks. “With the sea lapping up. just another beautiful moment,” remembers Evans, fondly.
Two to cherish in as many days. High five, Salieri.
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