What do people in Newark think of Valentine’s Day?

In its weekly voxpop, the Advertiser found out people’s opinions about Valentine’s Day — is it romantic or commercial?

Valentine’s Day is annually celebrated on February 14 on the Feast of Saint Valentine, and is celebrated with millions of cards, flowers and chocolates exchanged each year between lovers, friends or family.

Opinions of the feast day varied across Newark town centre, with some still enjoying the gesture of flowers or a card - however, the general opinion of the people we spoke to is that it has become a commercialised day.

Lucy Cains said she thinks that Valentine's Day is rubbish and that people should love their partners all year long, not just on one day.

“You should always appreciate who you have with you, but if it helps restaurants and card people then fair enough but I think it is too commercial,” she said.

Bryan Pagg said: “I have just been in Morrison’s and all the flowers were double and triple in price.

“It is all about making more money, we don’t make a deal but we are to pay for it, but I always get a card and flowers for my partner.

“Sometimes we go to the restaurant to celebrate the day, it is the wife that loves it more than me.”

Emma Arkley said it is “a money maker”:

“Should we only be romantic once a year? Shouldn’t we be romantic every day of the year?”

Valentine's Day is thought to have originated from a Roman festival called Lupercalia in the middle of February, which officially marks the start of their springtime through a lot of different rituals.

Later on, the Catholic Church transformed the pagan festival into a Christian celebration honouring the martyr named Valentine.

Through folk traditions, it has become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love across the world.

With time, St Valentine's name started to be used by people to express their feelings to those they loved.

Margot Handy admitted that despite not celebrating the date anymore, she used to back in her younger days, as well as Margaret Collishaw who has been married for 60 years.

“It is a day about love essentially but it has become quite commercialised,” Susi Wright said, “I don’t believe that people should feel pressured into giving their partner, if you want to do it and show someone you love them why not.”

Alison Smith said: “I think it is ok to celebrate when you are young but then it loses its fizz.

“My husband still buys me flowers but I don’t get him anything, I think it is more for the young ones.”

Simon Trzopek agreed that despite starting for the right reasons, the day that marks the celebration of love has become too commercial.

What do you think of Valentine’s Day? Let us know in the comments below…