Chester’s ‘City of Love’ helps tongue-tied lovers with Instagram campaign

Chester’s ‘City of Love’ helps tongue-tied lovers with Instagram campaign

Nothing says I love you like a carefully constructed Instagram. But once you’ve got the perfect picture, what is needed is inspiration for a knock-out caption. Chester ‘City of Love’ is on hand to help.

From February 1, leading up to Valentine’s Day on Friday 14 February, the CH1ChesterBID will post Instagram footage of citizens around Chester reading poetry that can also be found at www.experiencechester.co.uk/love-in-chester. For instance, a Roman Centurion from the Dewa Roman Experience will read a love poem by the Roman writer, Ovid; the City’s Registry Office, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 (‘Let us not to the marriage of true minds admit impediment’) and jewellers, Lowe & Sons – celebrating its 250th anniversary this year – ‘Romance’ by Robert Louis Stevenson (‘I will make you brooches and toys for your delight’).

Other readings featured will include, Chester’s Labour MP, Chris Matheson reading ‘My Love is like a Red, Red Rose’; the Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Louise Gittins, reading ‘Love and Friendship’ by Emily Bronte and a member of staff from The Botanist reading Robert Burns’ ‘Drink to me only with thine eyes’. There will also be appropriate readings from the doorman at the prestigious Chester Grosvenor Hotel, Specsavers and Chester’s Grosvenor Museum.

Carl Critchlow, CH1ChesterBID Manager, said: “Finding the right words can be a nightmare. Chester’s credentials for the title of ‘City of Love’ are based on a wealth of romantic history, stories and buildings. These Instagrams are designed to help desperate lovers by us doing some of the hard work.

“For a bit of fun, we have tried to ‘marry up’ where possible as many of the poems to relevant people in the City. But they aren’t all serious ones Ian from Ian’s Five-a-Day stall in Chester Market will read ‘Love is like a Cabbage’ and ‘Veggie Valentine’ and toy shop, Weasel and the Bug will be reading ‘The Owl and Pussy Cat’ (Oh! Let us be married, too long we have tarried’).

The filmed poems and full written versions are at www.experiencechester.co.uk as well as details of the free romantic Valentine’s city trail. which is offering a glittering prize for the best selfie. The site also has details of the romantic sights and walks in Chester plus some great Valentine Day retailer offers.”

Romantic spots in Chester include its medieval ‘Wishing Steps’ on the City Walls, overlooking the majestic River Dee; tales of a daring elopement from the City’s Pepper Gate and the ancient ‘Bill Hobby’s Well’ that promises to hurry along a tardy lover’s proposal.

Chester’s Grosvenor Museum has one of the oldest depictions of a married couples in Britain (on a Roman gravestone) and in its collection it has medieval wedding rings, Tudor love tokens and Victorian wedding dresses. During Valentine’s week, a small display of love-focused artefacts will be available in its entrance hall.

But it’s not just in the museum stores where love can be found in Chester, there are lots of places for those in love to stroll hand-in-hand – from its famous Rows and cobbled streets to its unique stone amphitheatre, Gothic Cathedral and beautiful river (complete with bandstand). This friendly city also has cozy cafés, stylish tea rooms and hotels and a huge range of great places to eat and drink from roof-top terraces to medieval undercrofts. There is also Chester Market’s street food hub, featuring an award-winning Italian pizzeria, Thai, street food, taco bar, artisan, Italian delights, deli, bistro, Caribbean and a craft beer taproom and bottle shop.

Find out about all the Love in Chester happenings here.

Published 3rd February