Is romance dead?

Photo: Laura Wild

Friends Melissa Dodman and Christina Chan both 15 have completely different views about 14 February.

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Is St Valentine’s Day a chance to let that special someone know how you feel, post a card on impulse to someone ‘cute’ from work or perhaps just a chance to re-connect over a candlelit dinner – or is it just Sunday 14 February, another day, another year which just passes by?

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild spoke to people in Rochdale to find out if they will be celebrating Valentine’s Day tomorrow or if it is just another occasion that has been commercialised.

The majority of people who Ms Wild spoke to don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day at all and won’t be sending any cards.

Susan Kenworthy, said: “I do think that Valentine’s Day has become very commercialised but I do think it is an opportunity to show your partner how much you care or tell a stranger how much you fancy them.

“I am 61 and I don’t bother with it at all, I think it is for the younger ones.”

Friends Melissa Dodman and Christina Chan, both 15, have completely different views about 14 February. Miss Dodman, said: “I think it is really special. But I won’t be sending any cards.”

Miss Chan added: “I think it is just for the people in the card shops to make money and it is such a big deal for one day.”

The girls will be celebrating tomorrow, without any young men, by going out with 11 of their friends.

Jack Patrick explained he thinks it depends on what age group people are in: “I think it is particularly for the young ones, when you have been married for a long time you don’t really bother with sending cards.

“We have just had Christmas and before you know it it will be Easter, this is just a way for the card shops to make more money.

“I think the whole tradition will die off eventually.”

Jean Taylor echoed Mr Patrick’s thoughts, she has been married for 21 years and said: “We just let the day pass us buy, it is silly and just a way for shops to make money.”

However, there are still some people in Rochdale who will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, Paul and Liz Swarbrick have been married for six years and they have always got each other something for Valentine’s Day, Mr Swarbrick said: “It is the thought that counts and it doesn’t matter how many years it has been we can still make it special.

“Although I am running out of ideas, I have got Liz teddies and roses in the past but I have used up all the other ideas. This year I asked Liz to make a list of a few things she had her eye on and I have picked something off there – it is still a surprise because she doesn’t know which one she is getting”

What do you think? Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this weekend?