howies, the brand we love so much our boyfriends get jealous, has always been about making people think. “I kept reading that nuclear power was the green answer to climate change, and I wondered about that,” says co-founder David Hieatt. “I also wondered what other people thought, so when Tom Seymour came to us with an idea of painting our white van with blackboard paint, I thought it would be great to use it as a vehicle (pardon the pun) to find out.”
Following the blackboard-cum-skateboard tour, we caught up with Alison, howies’ extra pair of hands and girl on the road.
How did you decide where to park up?
We parked anywhere, mostly places that would grab people’s attention, though we were regularly asked to move on. howies blogger Scania (back in Cardigan) would say
where we were heading next and people would contact her with good places to park.
Did people get it right away?
Most people got it because of the comments scribbled on the van, but some were unsure of what to make of it and sometimes it was difficult to get over the point that nuclear power in the UK is on its way.
What was the best comment anyone wrote?
Illustrations were the best – people were so creative. There were some foreign languages on there too which made me smile.
Were there many people pro nuclear power?
Not many at all. People who scribbled seemed passionately against nuclear, so it makes no sense why we’re still going ahead with plans to build more nuclear power stations.
What are your conclusions after the tour?
People are against nuclear power. The public seem to be very aware of the alternative energy options available which is why I don’t get that we are still going forward with it.
Watch exclusive footage of the howies Blackboard Skate Tour here!
Photos courtesy of: Jamie Stoker, Nick Hand.
