An Honest Project: The Honesty Stands of Ynys Môn - Part Two
- Evans & Moose
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
It's been just over a month since we decided we wanted to shine a spotlight on the honesty stands on Ynys Môn and the response to the first of the series was wonderful, slightly overwhelming but above all, reassuring and comforting. It solidified in my mind that honesty boxes, sheds, and stands are small wins in what could be a disconnected world and that the perseverance, skill and values of those running them deserves to be celebrated! If you haven't already, I urge you to grab a brew, or panad, and have a read of the first instalment, found at the bottom of this post.
On Ynys Môn, honesty stands have become part of the already stunning landscape. You notice them tucked besides lanes, at the end of farm drives, near beaches and villages. Fresh eggs, homemade cakes and bakes, chutneys, firewood, vegetables grown a stones throw from the shed they now sit in, waiting to feed your family that very same evening... they somehow shine a light on core values that could easily go missing in the pace of the modern world. Trust, sustainability, locality and quality. We've bought something from every single one we've visited and the quality is unmatched.
If you've followed our business for a while, you'll know we champion a slower, more considered, present lifestyle (having lived and dealt with our fair share of fast paced stressors and their consequences) and there's something about honesty stands that just seems to marry perfectly with this... and no that's not an excuse to visit more and more of these stands, that's just a happy bonus! If you haven't come across Evans & Moose before, check out our Considered Living Collective and everything else we do on the farm!
The other thing we've noticed is each of these stands, boxes or stalls have a certain creativity, some are beautifully painted, some of wonderfully makeshift and charming. Some look as though they've evolved slowly over the years, shaped by the weather (we live on Ynys Môn after all... all these stands have a lot to cope with weather wise, I'm writing this after a two hour thunder and lightening storm and what felt like monsoon season!), as well as practicality and personality. None of them are polished to the extent they loose their realism and accessibility and that's wonderful, they belong exactly where they are. I think that's why I felt so drawn to do this little series, at Evans & Moose we've found ourselves drawn to the same spirit, quality matters more than scale, community counts for something and people are trusted, with positive experiences shaping the experience for others not the negative ones. We're not naïve, issues arise when you trust others to be honest, some don't follow the rules, but to see things adapt and over come this instead of crumbling, well to put it honestly (pun absolutely intended), it's refreshing. Small things done properly still matter.
So, this project continues slowly, as it should. One stand at a time, and another conversation and connection with someone who shares the same ethos, and every now and again, the reminder that honesty still has a place in the world. If you would like your honesty stand included, whether it's big, small or somewhere in between, we'd love to feature it in the nest of the series, feel free to send us a message.
The aim is that through the posts in this blog series, we're celebrating the honesty stands on the island. We've spoken to all the owners of those that are featured, for permission and to ask what details they would like included, so some will have full addresses and some just areas.
So, next time you have a few moments to spare, or are visiting the island, take yourself off on a little honesty box road trip, if you do purchase anything from any of them, I know all the owners would appreciate a review on their social media pages, it helps support the boxes and people more than you know!
Kirsty's Cakes - The Cake Shack
There are so many talented bakers on the island, we're truly spoilt if you fancy something yummy and sweet. We visited one of two of Kirsty's Cake Shacks, there's one found at 36 Nimrod Walk, Holyhead and the other (the one we visited) in Trearddur Bay, LL65 2LQ, whichever you pop to, you won't be disappointed. It was sunny already, but the bright purple shed full of cakes and bakes made it an even sunnier day! Safe to say, I bought a school cake (for me, I'll never turn down a school cake, need something doing? Bribe me with school cake and jobs a good'un), a lemon drizzle pot and a cookies and cream blondie. Head to her Facebook page for opening hours.
The Veg Shed
Selling both veg that's ready to eat/cook and vegetable plants, The Veg Shed is a prime example of farm to fork and field to customer in a matter of meters at most. The tomato plants and lettuce we bought are now growing away in our raised beds and we can't wait to harvest. I whisper sweet nothings to them every time I pass in the hopes they grow quicker and we can enjoy them sooner! We had a lovely chat to the owner and felt that fantastic sense of community these stands harbour. Again, check out their Facebook page for location details and opening.
Pantri Bach - Penysarn
It's another fantastic drive around the island to visit Pantri Bach in Penysarn, a little shed filled with jams and chutneys, and often cakes and bakes too. You're treated to the added bonus of stunning views of the sea or Myndd Parys when you drive to Pantri Bach, so it really is a win win. We went for a lovely looking jar of chilli jam and it did not disappoint. I'll never not smile when I see a little stand full of colourful jars! You'll find Pantri Bach's Honesty Cart at Castle House Holiday, Penysarn, LL69 9YB.
Y Cwt Cacennau - Cegin Gwawr
What did I say about talented bakers? Cegin Gwawr is another fantastic example of the skill, creativity and pride involved in these sorts of stands. I again, treated myself to a school cake (decorated in Eisteddfod colours), what can I say, I'm a sucker for school cake... That's not to say there wasn't a beautiful array of treats, there was everything from Bakewell Blondies to Lemon Meringue Cake Trays, I'm just that predictable! Gwawr also bakes for local businesses and individuals too, so whether you're after number cakes for a special birthday or cupcakes and brownie boxes, this is another great one to support! Check out Cegin Gwawr's Facebook for update on the cake hut or for personal/business order. Found in LL77 7LB.
The Polka Dot Flock's Quack Shack
I mean, anyone who has a Quack Shack is onto a winner in my books! Filled with a couple of boxes of colourful duck eggs at a time, the repurposed shelving unit is the perfect example of why I love honesty sheds and boxes. If you're lucky you might also find a box or two of chicken eggs in there as well. It's worth checking on The Polka Dot Flocks Facebook page to see if there are any eggs available, and if there are head on over to Ty Croes to nab yourself a box. You can also return your boxes when they're empty. Follow the flock on Facebook to see what adventures they're getting up to!
As we've mentioned this is an ongoing series, celebrating the boxes on the island, so check back for the next instalment, when we've visited and no doubt purchased more lovely, local produce from some more of the honesty stand and boxes around. If you want to have yours featured or know of one you would like to be included, send us a message via our contact us page or by sending us a message on social media.
In the meantime enjoy soaking up some of the local community by supporting and looking out for honesty stands and engaging in everything they stand for.
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