After a post-Covid absence of quite a few months, I am delighted to report that the lilies are back! That is, the huge vases of fragrant white lilies that have been scenting the air in Salts Mill's 1853 Gallery for many years. There are always so many bunches of them that the whole gallery is perfumed. It's such an evocative scent that I only have to catch a whiff of them anywhere and I am immediately transported in my mind to this wonderful old mill, one of my happy places. I've occasionally bought them to display at home, but the strong perfume is a bit overpowering in a small sitting room. Here, in the vast space of the gallery, the scent is pleasant and lends a wonderful ambience. The atmosphere and the lovely artworks, books and art materials lull you - almost drug you - into perhaps spending longer in there than you might have planned. I think the lilies are a poignant tribute to the late Jonathan Silver, the entrepreneur who rescued the mill from dereliction in the 1980s, but who sadly died in 1997. Salts Mill is now managed by his family.
I can see the appeal.
ReplyDeleteI love the fragrance.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I came out of there with a pile I books when I visited.
ReplyDeleteFor quite a few years I have followed your photo blog (this one and the previous one). I just wanted to say how wonderful your photos are (having worked in a photographic medium myself). Now I am retired and not so physically able I look forward to your posts so much. Thanks so much Regards Jane
ReplyDeleteJane, that's really kind of you. I'm always pleased to hear that what I enjoy doing also gives pleasure to others.
DeleteIt's nice that lilies have returned because their fragrance is what I always look forward to during Easter season. How nice to have them before then.
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