Roses are red, violets are blue, what does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

VALENTINE’S Day — you either love it or hate it. Reporter DAWN MARSDEN hit the Spindles Town Square shopping centre to find out just how romantic Oldhamers really are.


GRANT and Sheila Somerville from High Crompton have been married for 36 years and believe romance shouldn’t be restricted to Valentine’s Day.

Grant (64) said: “We celebrate our love every day, not just on February 14. Valentine’s Day almost feels like card companies are telling you to show your love for someone and that’s not how it should be. We used to make a bigger deal of it when we were courting but now we just do something special together at home.”

Sheila (58) added: “Grant is very romantic and writes me poems. We go and watch Oldham Rugby together in all weathers which can be quite romantic and we do a lot of things together. We stand by each other through thick and thin.”

Eric Shaw (44) from Chadderton and his partner Deborah Anderson (49) from Royton have been together for 13 years and got engaged last year.

Eric said: “I admit I’m not very romantic but we do get each other cards on Valentine’s Day and I sometimes buy her chocolates. Some people like Valentine’s Day and others don’t — everyone is different.”

Deborah added: “Eric proposed during a romantic meal on New Year’s Eve so that was very romantic. We always write nice things in our Valentine’s cards which marks the day without going over the top.”

Danielle Togg (17), from Derker, has been with her boy friend Ryan for three years and is looking forward to Valentine’s Day.

She said: “We usually go out for a meal but Ryan is not very romantic, he is a man after all. I can’t think of anything romantic he has ever done.

“I love Valentine’s Day and don’t think it is a waste of money at all.”

Pal Lauren Bolton (16), from Shaw, is single but thinks February 14 is the perfect day to demonstrate your love.

She said: “In the past I have enjoyed going to the cinema or out for a meal on Valentine’s Day but nobody has ever done anything to really blow me away.

“I like Valentine’s Day though and would love to get a teddy bear and flowers from someone special.”

Martyn Sarsfield (20), of Waterhead is single but hoping to impress someone on February 14.

He said: “I have bought presents for girls in the past and been out for meals and that kind of thing.

“I normally buy jewellery and perfume if I have a girl friend. I like to think I’m quite romantic. I can never make my mind up about Valentine’s Day. On the one hand I think it is a money making exercise but on the other I quite like it.”

Kevin Clarke (27), from Royton, has been with girlfriend Kimberley for seven years and the pair will marry in July.

He said: “We used to celebrate Valentine’s Day and for our first one together I planned a surprise picnic by the river in Chester with candles and champagne.

“Now we just get each other cards but don’t bother with presents or a meal out. It is a bit commercialised.

“As we’ve got older, we’ve realised there’s better things to spend our money on and we’re saving for our wedding as well.”