Readers’ letters

It was with real delight that I opened my much-loved magazine for May and saw the breathtaking photos of my favourite flowers, lilies of the valley. Since I was a child, I have loved the delicate lilies of the valley that grew in a shady corner of our small garden. They were a magical thing to me, with their white bells and gorgeous perfume.

My husband-to-be and I chose May to have our wedding, so that lilies of the valley could be incorporated into my bouquet. We were married in 1980. My Mum had been a member of a flower club and had a go at making my bouquet, and a circle of my favourite flowers for my hair. For weeks, we kept our eyes on the patch of flowers, willing them to bloom at the right time. They reached perfection on our wedding eve. Forty years later, lilies of the valley remain my favourite flowers and are very special to me. I take such pleasure in seeing them peeping through green, then the little bells emerging, shining out pure white. Seeing the uplifting photos gave me a sense of hope. Yes, we are going through strange times and having to adapt to a different way of living, but along with the lilies of the valley, so many of our small and delicate flowers shine out even on the dullest of days. The sight of these little jewels bring a sense that nature, and life, is unstoppable. We keep our brave spirits in a difficult time, and the beauty of the circle of nature, and the seasons, never let us down.

Gaye Tye,