A great read Nanette! I love the photo with the giant tins on your shelf. How do you use so much syrup? I need a recipe to help me organise my materials like this!
Hahaha! I'm only just realising it looks like I'm troughing golden syrup all day!! In reality, that's about 15 years worth of tin collecting so a perfectly reasonable amount of flapjacks and parkin!
Brilliant Nanette! I work as a Designer for packaging brands, this stuff is literally my day job. I've been in those client meetings where they are freaking out about changing a much loved heritage design. Its a tough gig! But fascinating to see and be part of those conversations. These pieces of packaging mean so much: they are not just little pieces of history, they are cultural icons, symbols of generations of family moments and memories. That's one of the reasons I love packaging design so much. I think you have researched this better than most clients I have been in rooms with! My equivalent to your tins, is a row of Marmite limited edition jars, carefully washed out and lined up in my kitchen.🤣 Although I shall be buying some tins of syrup when I'm in London next week!!
Your day job sounds absolutely fascinating Raj, I hadn't thought about packaging as being bound up in family moments - that is so accurate! As I was reading about the story I was thinking were probably some packaging designers bracing themselves for the new logo reveal 😆 I do like the new logo, it's got a nice friendliness. It's a grower and I'm sure it will soon be loved. It's really smart to keep the heritage tins too and only change part of the range. I love the thought of your row of Marmite jars, the shape of those jars is so distinctive it's another classic!
Thanks for a roar of a read! My godmum taught me how to dribble Golden Syrup thinly over Ambrosia Creamed Rice so it looked like joined up writing but it was mostly unreadable. Must try doing that again so I can get to the bottom of the tin and put pencils in it. Inspiring!
The Saltaire lions look beautiful, I bet they are brilliant to draw from life! I didn't know about them until I dug into Landseer and it really surprised me that such characterful, animated lions were rejected in favour of the very static Trafalgar Square ones. Though I guess public sculpture is always a bit controversial, and the intention was definitely some flippin' british pride thing 🙄 instead of creating interesting art!
I had no idea the lion was dead. 😂 I saved some tins from my year in the UK and they hold art supplies as well.
As an American my only connection to treacle was the treacle well rhyme from Alice in Wonderland. One taste and I instantly knew why living on treacle would make one ill. Is wonderful in certain recipes though.
It's so nice to hear that you have saved a tin for art supplies as well Sarah! I hadn't realised you don't have treacle in the US, I *think* it's the same as molasses but I'm not sure because we don't have molasses to compare 😆
I liked your background on the Lion logo and I feel for Landseer working out of his medium. I love the cat paws! I live in the US near St Augustine in FL and there is the famous Bridge of Lions. It’s a bridge in the middle of town with lions on the end. When it was unveiled the Lions were also criticized for not being ‘liony’ enough and the sculptor went back to his hotel and killed himself. (This just may be the story they tell the school kids to teach them a lesson in criticism). People have great expectations with Lions apparently.
Oh my goodness! That's quite the story about the Bridge of Lions, I really hope it's an exaggeration!
I *think* the closest US equivalent to treacle is molasses. It's thick and bittersweet and used in gingerbread. The word 'treacle' is also a cockney term of endearment, 'treacle tart' = 'sweetheart' 💛 💛 💛
I believe it’s an exaggeration. Actually let’s just say completely false. The lions were copied from the San Marco Lions in Venice, no drama at the unveiling. Mea culpa.
Hi Juliana! I can't believe I didn't share an image of the rebrand! 🤦🏻♀️ It's a friendly lion head, you can see it at the top of their website here: https://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/
I've just seen it, and I have to say I like better the traditional one (dead lion and all).
We actually use a similar thing in Colombia. It doesn't come in tins, rather we disolve the brick of non refined cane sugar in water, and simmer it until we have the desired thickness. We serve it hot on top of fresh cheese. I love it!
They really are and just so beautiful. I'm glad they aren't changing the tins and really enjoyed learning all the history that comes with a humble tin!
I love stories like this, thank you for sharing. Couldn't be more British if it tried! And an excellent re-use of tins, every house in the UK has one lurking. I'm sure the shed at the end of the garden had a slightly rusty tin full of long screws in it when we moved in.
A great read Nanette! I love the photo with the giant tins on your shelf. How do you use so much syrup? I need a recipe to help me organise my materials like this!
Hahaha! I'm only just realising it looks like I'm troughing golden syrup all day!! In reality, that's about 15 years worth of tin collecting so a perfectly reasonable amount of flapjacks and parkin!
ah that makes more sense! I need to commit to a long term storage plan and start making flapjack now!
Brilliant Nanette! I work as a Designer for packaging brands, this stuff is literally my day job. I've been in those client meetings where they are freaking out about changing a much loved heritage design. Its a tough gig! But fascinating to see and be part of those conversations. These pieces of packaging mean so much: they are not just little pieces of history, they are cultural icons, symbols of generations of family moments and memories. That's one of the reasons I love packaging design so much. I think you have researched this better than most clients I have been in rooms with! My equivalent to your tins, is a row of Marmite limited edition jars, carefully washed out and lined up in my kitchen.🤣 Although I shall be buying some tins of syrup when I'm in London next week!!
Your day job sounds absolutely fascinating Raj, I hadn't thought about packaging as being bound up in family moments - that is so accurate! As I was reading about the story I was thinking were probably some packaging designers bracing themselves for the new logo reveal 😆 I do like the new logo, it's got a nice friendliness. It's a grower and I'm sure it will soon be loved. It's really smart to keep the heritage tins too and only change part of the range. I love the thought of your row of Marmite jars, the shape of those jars is so distinctive it's another classic!
LOVE this Nanette! I immediately want to draw lots of lions! I love the blend of research, stories and drawing that you blend into this Substack! X
It made me want to draw lots of lions too! 🦁💛 Thank you so much for your lovely comments Ella xx
Thanks for a roar of a read! My godmum taught me how to dribble Golden Syrup thinly over Ambrosia Creamed Rice so it looked like joined up writing but it was mostly unreadable. Must try doing that again so I can get to the bottom of the tin and put pencils in it. Inspiring!
Dribbling Golden Syrup so it looks like writing sounds like an amazing skill! I can't believe I've never thought to put Golden Syrup on rice pudding!!
Oh I love your thirst for obscure facts Nanette- I’m going to have a good look at those cat paws next time! Excellent 🤩
It's so weird isn't it?! Next time I'm in London I'm definitely going to check out those paws too!
Brilliant as always Nanette! I always learn so much reading your Newsletters 🦁 thank you 💛
Thank you so much Teresa! It's always so lovely to hear from you! 💛
I live in Saltaire, and have drawn our beloved lions many times. I knew their story but didn’t know about the Landsleer link to Lyle’s. Love it.
The Saltaire lions look beautiful, I bet they are brilliant to draw from life! I didn't know about them until I dug into Landseer and it really surprised me that such characterful, animated lions were rejected in favour of the very static Trafalgar Square ones. Though I guess public sculpture is always a bit controversial, and the intention was definitely some flippin' british pride thing 🙄 instead of creating interesting art!
I had no idea the lion was dead. 😂 I saved some tins from my year in the UK and they hold art supplies as well.
As an American my only connection to treacle was the treacle well rhyme from Alice in Wonderland. One taste and I instantly knew why living on treacle would make one ill. Is wonderful in certain recipes though.
It's so nice to hear that you have saved a tin for art supplies as well Sarah! I hadn't realised you don't have treacle in the US, I *think* it's the same as molasses but I'm not sure because we don't have molasses to compare 😆
Black Treacle is very similar to molasses. We have nothing like Goldrn Syrup. The closest is corn syrup and it doesn’t hold a candle.
What a marvellous meditation on lions!
Thank you so much Jane! I wasn't expecting the interesting trail of lions when I started looking into it! 🦁 ✏️ 💛
Those tins are so familiar that I’ve never looked at the logo properly! A very interesting story!x
The logo is so weird isn't it?! I'm so glad I didn't find out what it was until I was an adult! x
Great story! It had British culture, art, food, work, war, and plenty of absurdity! And you’re right - those cans are nifty and should go unchanged.
Thanks Amy, they are beautiful tins! It was fun to dig into the story and it got more absurd the more I looked into it! xx
I liked your background on the Lion logo and I feel for Landseer working out of his medium. I love the cat paws! I live in the US near St Augustine in FL and there is the famous Bridge of Lions. It’s a bridge in the middle of town with lions on the end. When it was unveiled the Lions were also criticized for not being ‘liony’ enough and the sculptor went back to his hotel and killed himself. (This just may be the story they tell the school kids to teach them a lesson in criticism). People have great expectations with Lions apparently.
By the way, what’s Treacle?
Oh my goodness! That's quite the story about the Bridge of Lions, I really hope it's an exaggeration!
I *think* the closest US equivalent to treacle is molasses. It's thick and bittersweet and used in gingerbread. The word 'treacle' is also a cockney term of endearment, 'treacle tart' = 'sweetheart' 💛 💛 💛
I believe it’s an exaggeration. Actually let’s just say completely false. The lions were copied from the San Marco Lions in Venice, no drama at the unveiling. Mea culpa.
Phew! Glad to hear there wasn't any drama! It's a good cautionary tale / urban legend though!
It does seem a bit extreme, perhaps I should research. . .
Loved this post! I hope the rebranding is good. Please show us!
Hi Juliana! I can't believe I didn't share an image of the rebrand! 🤦🏻♀️ It's a friendly lion head, you can see it at the top of their website here: https://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/
I've just seen it, and I have to say I like better the traditional one (dead lion and all).
We actually use a similar thing in Colombia. It doesn't come in tins, rather we disolve the brick of non refined cane sugar in water, and simmer it until we have the desired thickness. We serve it hot on top of fresh cheese. I love it!
That sounds amazing! I would never have thought of putting it with cheese but it sounds like a delicious combination!
All these years and I never realised the lion on the tin was dead!!! I need to go take a proper look at my own pen pot! This was a fantastic read.
It's so weird to find out the lion isn't just sleeping! The tins are the perfect pen pots aren't they?!
They really are and just so beautiful. I'm glad they aren't changing the tins and really enjoyed learning all the history that comes with a humble tin!
I love stories like this, thank you for sharing. Couldn't be more British if it tried! And an excellent re-use of tins, every house in the UK has one lurking. I'm sure the shed at the end of the garden had a slightly rusty tin full of long screws in it when we moved in.
A shed seems exactly the sort of place one of the tins would turn up! So handy in so many ways! 😆 🦁 💛
Fascinating! I had no idea about any of this