14 Feb 2013

Did you get a Valentine’s card? Video

How has Valentine’s day evolved over the years? Channel 4 News Researcher Ian Searcey delves into the ITN archives to find two news reports from 14 February 1959 and 1986.

Christmas is over, the window displays have all changed and now it is time to get yourself back into the shops and spend whatever you have left on chocolates, trinkets and cards declaring your undying love for your partner (or potential partner).

St Valentine’s day tends to divide opinion. While some people are swept up in the romance of it all and others grumble that it is nothing but a contrived and cynical money spinner, for news bulletins over the years it has meant a welcome opportunity for some light relief.

On 14 February 1959, having already finished one news item about the Ministry of Education report on public libraries, Elizabeth Kendrick was sent out of ITN House to quiz the great British public – or those in London at least – about their experiences of St Valentine’s day.

A man in a duffle coat says he did not get any cards, but he had sent one and believes it was “well received” as he had “received notification”. An enthusiastic interviewee who has never had a Valentine card describes her vision of waking up on 14 February to find one “with a big red heart”. A young woman who received eight or nine cards says they were “more funny than frilly this year” while a young man in a heavy coat and impressive crash helmet bemoans the whole exercise as outmoded and ”…a bit more puerile”.

Fast forward 24 years and we find an ITN crew with two budding entrepreneurs who, having spotted a Valentine shaped business opportunity, had managed to persuade devoted husbands to purchase bespoke “For Sale” signs daubed with personal messages of love to be planted in the front gardens of their unsuspecting spouses.

Keith Hutchence speaks to a worried Nick Bell, as he waits nervously for his Valentine surprise to arrive before he has to leave for work. His sign delayed, he is concerned that his increasingly desperate excuse for leaving the breakfast table in order stand in front of his house are making his wife suspicious.

There is, of course, no need to worry. A few calls on that snazzy half-brick sized 1986 car telephone later and the delivery van arrives, the sign is erected, Mrs Bell is pleasantly surprised and Nick can make his train.

Now, did you get a card?