14 February 2025
The 2025 ceremony, signalled by the traditional firework at 5.30pm, started with accordionist Tom Woolman. At 6pm the town crier, Martin Scott, spoke of love. Three poems were read. Reg Ling, creator and custodian of the lamp for 32 years, handed his lighting duties to Eddie Young, who lit the lamp. The mayor, Andy Jones, presented Reg with a civic award. It was cold and it rained. A record crowd left happy and full of love.
Poems read aloud
Without
Without both, the worlds are cold
unforgiving and hard.
Without both, we cannot touch
we do not flourish.
Without one, a dark enfolds the earth,
without the other, we are alone.
Without either, we wither
diminish and fade.
With the two, light and love,
we have life, we have warmth.
Written and read by Dom McDonald
Lamplight
I sense you, feel you, by my side.
Hold me, wrap me in your arms.
To feel your beating heart, in time
with mine, I surrender to your charms.
Your eyes, under lamplight, shine.
Valentine’s magic encircles us.
Shine, lamplight on my eyes.
Am I yours? Charmed and cherished?
Our hearts, as one, beat in time
as I’m held, secure in your arms.
You feel me, sense me, by your side.
Written and read by Jane Hughes
The Valentine Street Lamp
The sign is on a slant: I like that.
Love is never a level track.
Lamp post could do with a lick of paint;
Not one of us stays at our permanent best.
Bulb’s grown a bit dim;
That can happen too.
Look deeper:
Lasting Love is a wild briar,
Wrapped round a column of steel.
Written and read by Ethan King