PC gone mad klaxon!...
 

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PC gone mad klaxon! Golden syrup logo content

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They've got rid of the rotting lion carcase and swarm of bees from the tins. An obscure biblical reference apparently. The link is to an Independent article, but I apologise - there's a link on it to a Gbeebies video. I'd imagine that there's some weapons grade ranting on there, I can't bring myself to look.

If the new one keeps the general aesthetic of the old, fair enough. I do like golden syrup tins - I can't bring myself to chuck them away so they get used for pens and nails and stuff in the garage. Tins, mind - I don't use the thin, runny stuff in the squeezey bottle. I'm not a total deviant.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 1:57 pm
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The existing logo is remaining on the tins.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:00 pm
silvine, kelvin, Drac and 3 people reacted
 Pyro
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I thought they were leaving the tins as-is and only changing the squeezy bottle,?

In fact, it says as much in the article you've linked: "The rebrand will take place across the full product range, excluding the classic tin, which will retain the original illustration."


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:00 pm
kelvin, Drac, Drac and 1 people reacted
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Well I am over 50 years old and I admit I have never noticed there is a dead lion, that looks like it's covered in blue-bottles, on the Tate & Lyle tins!

Tate & Lyle do have a bit of a tricky history mind.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:02 pm
dc1988, supernova, funkmasterp and 5 people reacted
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It is about time it got binned though. I mean "The rotting carcass of a lion" isn't the first thing that comes to mind when inventing your brand logo, especially for a sugar syrup... and Victorians were were provably weird anyway, we should aim for less Victorian and more Georgian, they may have all had pox, but at least they knew how to have a good time.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:03 pm
thols2, scuttler, kelvin and 3 people reacted
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I'm too busy either needing or getting my massive sugar rush to notice anything about the tin.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:04 pm
funkmasterp, fasthaggis, funkmasterp and 1 people reacted
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The existing logo is remaining on the tins.

As you were, the perils of skim reading. Maybe I won't write to my MP just yet. He's a blue blood Tory so he's probably tied up in a gimp suit smothered in the stuff.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:04 pm
peterno51, funkmasterp, Pyro and 7 people reacted
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I'd never noticed the dead lion and swarm of bees! Thought this was funny:

James Whiteley, brand director for Lyle’s Golden Syrup, said: “We’re excited to unveil a fresh redesign for the Lyle’s Golden Syrup brand.

“While we’ll continue to honour our original branding with the heritage tin, consumers need to see brands moving with the times and meeting their current needs.

I not sure I have particular needs from any brand, it's generally the product, service, etc that interests me more.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:31 pm
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Tate & Lyle do have a bit of a tricky history mind.

For sure, although people would do well to read up on the actual history. The company definitely benefited from the economic legacy of the sugar plantations though. For me, the Tate Gallery is dong a great job of showcasing the art of all sorts of people from myriad backgrounds; for example the recent 'World in Common' exhibition at the Tate Modern featured work by African artists, so this is in some sense a form of 'reparation', as it places such artists to the fore, where in the past they have been often marginalised and overlooked.

As for the new logo; I much prefer it. Like many, I never understood nor even looked closely at the old one anyway.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:31 pm
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I remember the bible story from when I was a kid. It's the kind of macabre thing kids like, that at some point Sampson killed a lion and then later I think found bees had made a nest/hive whatever in its chest.

And then later again used this as a riddle at his wedding "out of the strong came something sweet", which no one could solve (why would they? It's not exactly obvious?) But then they threatened the new wife and got the answer, so he lost the riddle bet and had to get  all 30 of the guests a new suit each, which he did by going off and killing 30 guys. Philistines.

I think it's nice to be reminded of these charming biblical tales from time to time, as a motif for how we all should live. I need to get more smiting into my life. (Or indeed get a life.)


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:34 pm
blokeuptheroad, funkmasterp, fasthaggis and 7 people reacted
 Drac
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They’ve got rid of the rotting lion carcase and swarm of bees from the tins.

No they haven’t.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:36 pm
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I'm still furious that apple didn't stick with their original logo


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:37 pm
funkmasterp, kelvin, funkmasterp and 1 people reacted
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I’m still furious that apple didn’t stick with their original logo

Bloody hell! Twice in 1 day!

I never knew the "Apple" was Issac Newton's apple!


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:40 pm
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Drac's iPad

Steve Jobs got the idea when he fell out of an apple tree and landed on his head


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:42 pm
funkmasterp, fasthaggis, kelvin and 5 people reacted
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I'm still furious that apple didn’t stick with their original logo

It's Apple gone mad I tell you

 


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:43 pm
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I was expecting something like the Aunt Jemima thing. A rotting carcass of a lion just doesn't seem like a cause that's going to generate much outrage.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:43 pm
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The power of branding is that Tate and Lyle's golden syrup is twice the price of the identical own brand product.

A friends wife once castigated him for getting "the wrong golden syrup" in the supermarket.

He's recently told me that he's getting divorced.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:47 pm
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No they haven’t.

I know, that's already been pointed out a few times and my mistake acknowledged 🙂


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 2:58 pm
 Drac
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Drac’s iPad

Forum still works.

I know, that’s already been pointed out a few times and my mistake acknowledged

Sorry! I opened the thread then popped out. 😀


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 3:03 pm
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Also, consider that fact that the Bible story is about bees making honey inside that carcass.

Bees. Honey. A naturally occurring product.

Golden syrup is made from sugar - think how T&L made their sugar.

And reflect on their corporate whitewashing of issues using a bible story!


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 3:03 pm
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corporate whitewashing of issues using a bible story!

...how white is it given the full story involves the killing of 30 innocent philistines (part of Palestine)?


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 3:34 pm
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I never took it to be a dead lion.

Always thought it was a lion sleeping after downing a tin of golden syrup.......


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 4:14 pm
towpathman, funkmasterp, funkmasterp and 1 people reacted
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I remember an R.E. teacher at school telling us the story of the dead lion on the tin.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 4:32 pm
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I thought the BBC article on this said that the lion was the world's oldest trademark. I was always told that was the Bass (beer) red triangle.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 4:34 pm
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It ain't Christian story though is it. Samson/book of judges is in the Hebrew texts, it's a Jewish story.

Haven't eaten any since I left the family home.

It's a big con anyhow, honey is made by bees and golden syrup isn't.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 4:38 pm
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Samson/book of judges is in the Hebrew texts, it’s a Jewish story

Judges is a book of the old testament of the christian bible (which frequently comes up in cryptic crossword clues). It contains all the samson story related above.

And blimey it's racy stuff - all 'giving' the new wife to multiple wedding guest, prostitutes and ripping lions apart with bare hands, riddles and killings... https://www.bibleref.com/Judges/14/Judges-14-20.html

I mean the entire OT is Jewish stories, not just this, but it's still v much the christian bible even if the behaviour is not what one would associate with the stereotypical CoE vicar.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 4:51 pm
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Nearly but not quite, not all the Hebrews were Jews and one heathen king wrote a bit of the OT


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 5:00 pm
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A friends wife once castigated him for getting “the wrong golden syrup” in the supermarket.

I'm with her. The own brands don't taste the same. I'm a big fan of Aldi knock off brands generally for generic products but there are a small number of brands where the knock offs just don't taste the same. Golden syrup is one of them imo. I know that shouldn't be the case, it's just sugar syrup right, but it is!

See also HP sauce, Marmite and a few more.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 5:16 pm
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I'll let this bloke...

It ain’t Christian story though is it. Samson/book of judges is in the Hebrew texts, it’s a Jewish story.

argue with this bloke...

Nearly but not quite, not all the Hebrews were Jews and one heathen king wrote a bit of the OT

🙂


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 5:33 pm
funkmasterp, fasthaggis, nickc and 3 people reacted
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I've said it on other threads but I now benchmark against Daily Mail. The more their readers hate a thing, the better it is for everyone else.

So I pinched my nose and checked the comments section on their article about this. Sure enough, they are furious! "Another product to add to the boycott list" etc.

I like it when Daily Mail people get furious.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 5:59 pm
supernova, funkmasterp, roger_mellie and 7 people reacted
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I thought the BBC article on this said that the lion was the world’s oldest trademark. I was always told that was the Bass (beer) red triangle.

Bass has had the first trademark - ie its 'Trademark No1' but there logo is older than trademark legislation and also over that time they've used that image in lots of different ways - hasn't always been red instance - but its been applied to all shapes and styles of packaging over that time - there hasn't been one design of bottle and label- but I think the claim is the stinky lion cadaver is featured on longest continuous packaging design. If Lyle have been selling that packaging for 150 years the Trademark act is only a trifling 149 years old.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 6:11 pm
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Another one who never knew (or cared) that it was a dead lion.

We’re excited to unveil a fresh redesign for the Lyle’s Golden Syrup brand...

Good job someone is.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 6:20 pm
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TBH  every days a school day, never realised it was a dead lion and bees, let alone some biblical stuff.

I suppose that’s the trouble with having people desperate for a PC ‘gorn’ mad to vent over, they don’t actually read the articles and I wonder just how much of it they actually buy.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 6:31 pm
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I absolutely love the original design. It’s a genuine classic, but much as I love the typography and the metallic ink printing, can’t say I’ve ever noticed the lion was an ex-lion

I love the new one too. That’s been really nicely done! And if it winds the gammons up, even better 😃


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 6:44 pm
blokeuptheroad, nt80085, convert and 3 people reacted
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Dunno the new one looks a bit team GB.

I never noticed the lion. I'm sure I remember being told the story then forgetting.
We have no golden syrup in the house.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:05 pm
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but I now benchmark against Daily Mail.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:11 pm
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I wonder if anyone on this thread hasn't clocked the Toblerone bear either...

Tobelrone_bearLogo-267x300


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:15 pm
funkmasterp, fasthaggis, funkmasterp and 1 people reacted
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Personally I couldn't really care if T&L change their logo, probably due an update after all that time....

The tinned version cirtainly under sells the squeeze bottle in my shop, although I do have customers that will only buy the tin and vice versa and will complain If I don't have the correct one in stock. I generally only ever stock which ever gives a higher margin when it's time for a restock.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:21 pm
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I do have customers that will only buy the tin and vice versa and will complain If I don’t have the correct one in stock.

I can sympathise with them. With the squeezy one you just deposit the golden nectar on your porridge but spooning it from a tin gives you an excuse to overload the spoon and have to lick it clean.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:27 pm
convert and convert reacted
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Ah, but if your cooking with it, then it's pain to 'squeeze' out a table spoon of the stuff 🤔😉 either way I can't win as I only have enough shelf space for one or the other....


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 7:32 pm
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As you were, the perils of skim reading.

Yep, it can be an issue. A few days ago I posted a PSA to say we were about to be nuked from orbit by the Russians.

I probably should have read the article better.

Still, a trifling mistake really. 😁


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 9:34 pm
blokeuptheroad, kelvin, kelvin and 1 people reacted
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Ha! That does make me feel a bit better!


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 9:40 pm
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^^ Yeah, just as well I don't work for NATO, the UN... or basically have any responsibility in the world other than tying my own shoe laces!


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 9:44 pm
kelvin and kelvin reacted
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Ah, but if your cooking with it, then it’s pain to ‘squeeze’ out a table spoon of the stuff 🤔😉 either way I can’t win as I only have enough shelf space for one or the other….

Dip the spoon in, scrape off what looks like approx a tablespoon into the cooking, lick finger and spoon clean.


 
Posted : 21/02/2024 11:24 pm
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I like the treacle they do as well. Though apart from eating it by the spoonful, I cant think of anything other than one other use - treacle tart.

I tried to make some treacle tablet once, but I couldn't get it to set. Gave up on that.


 
Posted : 22/02/2024 12:02 am
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it’s just sugar syrup right

well it is inverted sugar syrup. Produced by adding acid and invertase and heating. This turns the sucrose into glucose and fructose. Makes a sweeter product than just regular sucrose or sugar syrup from dissolving sucrose dissolved in water.

https://cookingisscienceandart.weebly.com/blog/what-is-sugar

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_sugar_syrup

it’s OK in cooking but is otherwise disgusting whether from tin or squeezy bottle.


 
Posted : 22/02/2024 7:03 am
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That must be why the Coca Cola company puts it in most of their drinks. As do most soda manufacturers because people get hooked on the stuff.


 
Posted : 22/02/2024 8:37 am
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When I was young a peanut butter and syrup sandwich was a staple of our weekends.
2 slices white bread, buttered (thickly)
Spread syrup on one slice. Spread peanut butter on the other (Both a skill with that butter sliding around underneath).
Slap the 2 together, cut in half widthways (optional). Scoff.
It's more just an ingredient for flapjacks these days.


 
Posted : 22/02/2024 9:20 am
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“ Well I am over 50 years old and I admit I have never noticed there is a dead lion, that looks like it’s covered in blue-bottles, on the Tate & Lyle tins!”

I’m over 60yo, and I’m pretty sure I knew what the logo was about around 50 years ago, but I used to read everything - pretty sure I mostly learned to read by the time I was four or five. Bugger-all use for maths, though; I can count up to ten if I take my socks off…
Saw an article about this the other day, and I must say I do like the new logo - there’s a touch of a stylised Green Man about it, which makes me happy.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 1:39 am
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I think Lyles is actually partially inverted.
Similar sugars are in a surprising amount of very nice beers as well.

I've always loved the stuff.
When i was a kid and my dad worked for Philip Morris (boo!) we discovered it was in cigarettes as well. Watered down and sprayed as a fine mist ... can't remember if it was for taste or something else. But Dad brought home some massive containers, and they lasted so long that the syrup would turn back to wet sugar. It made up for the fact his previous job had been for Trebor.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 3:27 am
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The company definitely benefited from the economic legacy of the sugar plantations though.

That's putting it mildly. The entire sugar industry was a major driver for slavery.  We became hooked on it, demand soared in Europe and we kidnapped millions into slavery just to fund this luxurious and completely unnecessary habit. It wouldn't have been possible to make sugar so cheap and ubiquitous (or even at all) if it weren't for African forced labour.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 9:08 am
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Tate and Lyle appear to have been continuing with the slave labour and forced sale of land up until 2013.

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/tate-lyle-reneges-on-promise-to-pay-compensation-for-land-taken-from-cambodian-farmers-by-sugar-supplier/


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 9:10 am
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That must be why the Coca Cola company puts it in most of their drinks.

Weeelll, in some of their drinks, most of the US market is stil HFCS if I remember correctly and some countries it uses cane sugar, which some claim makes it taste different, there's a massive market in the US for imported Mexican made Coca-Cola( insert your own drug related joke here)


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 9:13 am
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“ PC gone mad klaxon! Golden syrup logo content”

Having read PC as personal computer I was sure this was some kind of extreme virus that ended up with you stuck staring at picture of a hidden syrup tin. Possibly with an associated loud noise


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 9:16 am
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some claim makes it taste different

It tastes very different.  US Coke is immediately identifiable.  You can get a 'traditional style' Pepsi with sugar in it rather than HFCS which tastes like UK Pepsi, and Mexican Coke tastes just like UK Coke.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 9:18 am
nickc and nickc reacted
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there’s a massive market in the US for imported Mexican made Coca-Cola  (insert your own drug related joke here)


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 10:57 am
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I love the new one too. That’s been really nicely done! And if it winds the gammons up, even better 😃

I hadn't considered this. But yes!

That’s putting it mildly. The entire sugar industry was a major driver for slavery.  We became hooked on it, demand soared in Europe and we kidnapped millions into slavery just to fund this luxurious and completely unnecessary habit. It wouldn’t have been possible to make sugar so cheap and ubiquitous (or even at all) if it weren’t for African forced labour.

Oh of course. I wasn't for a second trying to diminish the evils that benefited such companies. But T+L were formed after slavery was officially abolished in the UK, so common claims they made their fortune 'from slavery' need to be challenged and the correct context applied. As a company, they will be forever tainted though, as are so many, and as are institutions such as the British Royal Family, the Bank of England, etc.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 11:20 am
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On the back of looking at this thread (has to be that, or creepy coincidence) I have now had something pop up in my social media about making your own golden syrup. Didn't realised you could- well, not quite right- I'd never given it a moments thought. Turns out Americans into quaint British baking often make their own as it's hard to get hold of over there. I feel the need to experiment.

But do I use a sharpy to graffiti a rotting Lion or some chipper very much alive upstart on the side of the jam jar?

And if buying....tins for the win! Is there a man cave in Britain without an old T&L golden syrup tin full of random screws and bolts? Those squeezy bottles are the work of the devil, especially if you are tight and want to get every last bit out. You can lick the tin out but licking the squeezy bottle comes with a high risk factor.


 
Posted : 23/02/2024 11:34 am

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