Walks in RED: Tom Baker

For this month’s Walks in RED, we caught up with Tom Baker. Founder of Rye & Roses, devoted dad, and proud owner of a very hardworking pair of RED boots! Tom’s pastries and baked goods are legendary in the area, and many locals (including us!) start their Wednesday mornings with a coffee from Hermit Crab and a treat from Rye & Roses.

From first spotting our Shoes back in 2017 to finally investing in his “forever boots” during lockdown, Tom’s story is one of community and the simple joys of living and working in the Dyfi Valley, which is everything this series celebrates.

We visited Tom at his bakery in to find out more…

Hi Tom! What first drew you to a pair of RED shoes?

The first time I set eyes on them I instantly recognised the love and craftsmanship that went into every pair of RED shoes and wanted to have my very own pair! That was back in 2017 when we were traveling the UK and Europe, looking for a new place to call home and set up a bakery. And RED shoes was in it's first shop on Machynlleth high street. It wasn't until the lockdown of 2020 that I finally made the investment - small businesses like our bakery and RED shoes were innovating and adapting by the week to survive in the quickly changing world, and I decided it was time to support a fellow local craftsperson and purchase my forever boots.

Where have your REDS taken you so far?

Well it turns out moving to a new place and instantly setting up a business that you rely on financially doesn't give you a huge amount of time or money for exotic adventures! But my REDS have certainly walked millions of steps around the streets and hills of the Dyfi Valley in the last 5 years. They can often be spotted carrying crates of bread in and out of Dyfi Wholefoods on my morning bread deliveries, kicking a ball about at Y Plas with my son Reuben, or resting on a bar stool in The Penrhos Arms at the end of the day.

What made you choose these specific boots?

I wanted a practical and adaptable boot for everyday - something I could wear on a hillside walk, dress up for a night on the town, or kick a ball about in at the park with my son. These boots have been good for my sole and great for my lifestyle - they're rarely off my feet. I love the fact that you can change their vibe with new laces or new soles - out of the box in 2020 they were bright blue, and although they're currently black, next time around I'm definitley going for yellow.

As a Machynlleth local, where would you send someone visiting for the first time?

First and foremost make sure your visit includes a Wednesday - market day in Machynlleth is the best day of the week and what drew me here in the first place. Start off with coffee and breakfast in Hermit Crab - an everything bagel with cream cheese is my personal favourite. Then peruse the many and various market stalls - apparently the bread and pastries at the Rye & Roses stall are pretty good and the guy has excellent taste in footwear. Once you've worked up a hunger head to Blasau Deli for a Reuben sandwich. Take in a local walk up the Roman steps after lunch, then head back to the Wynnstay Hotel for a pint of Welsh ale in front of the fire. Finally, head to Hennigans for a chilli jam pea fritter and chips. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for less than £15 and you can put the remainder of your food budget towards your first pair of RED shoes. You're welcome x