A selection of unique and exciting Valentine’s Eve and Norfolk related ‘love’ events for all ages will be happening in Norwich this month! Some will be celebrating the heritage of love, looking at Valentine’s from a non commercial perspective and others will be celebrating unique local traditions and folklore dating back to the Victorian era.

This series of events has come about from the delightful rediscovery of the story of Valentine’s Eve at Bridewell Museum. VisitNorwich with representatives from Norfolk Museums Service, the Millennium Library, The Norfolk Records Office, Writers’ Centre Norwich, The Yarnsmith of Norwich and the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library have been working together to present some fascinating events which will stir emotions and encourage local people to remember the past and celebrate with their families again in the future.

The headline event is a museum late at Bridewell Museum (the first since reopening in July 2012) on Valentine’s Eve, 13th February between 5pm and 8pm. Not only will this be a great opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore the museum after dark, the evening also promises much fun celebrating Valentine’s Eve. Visitors will be able to hear about the elusive Jack Valentine and all his tricks from a Victorian costumed storyteller, see a selection of love tokens from the Norwich Castle collections, talk to curators and museum staff about personal family traditions of Jack Valentine and join in the light-hearted Love Quiz. Plus, every visitor will receive a drink on arrival and for the children, in true Jack Valentine style, small gifts will be left at a door by a shadowy figure!

Valentine’s Eve will commence with a wonderful day at the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library. There will be an exhibition (1 – 24 February) presenting photographs, letters and other documents from their archive relating to wartime romantic relationships between Norfolk residents and the American Air Force personnel. Between 10.30am – 12.30pm there will be a free talk with complimentary refreshments about Anglo American romance in Norfolk in WW2 including sound recordings and film. The library has also put a call out for wartime sweethearts and GI brides to pop along to share their romantic memories of the American GIs in Norfolk (1pm – 3pm). The library also wants anyone coming along to bring related items as they wish to create a ‘Wartime sweethearts and GI brides’ booklet.

Nick Bond, Head of Tourism at VisitNorwich said:
“Norwich has planned some superb celebrations for Valentine’s 2013 aimed at putting a different spin on the usual festivities at this time of year. Not only that, they will be appealing for all ages and will provide an opportunity to learn more about the people of Norfolk and their history. What’s especially interesting for me is the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library collecting memories of the past for future generations to discover and enjoy.”

Hannah Henderson, Curator of Community History at Bridewell Museum said;
“This whole theme of Valentine’s Eve and Jack Valentine has been so enjoyable to work on, everyone involved has already learnt so much about both of these unique Norfolk traditions and it is great to bring these unusual stories into the present day to share with a wide audience – we want to bring back Jack! We know for a fact through various channels that there are many people in Norfolk who still follow them. We have been really delighted by the response from local people already who have been in touch following articles they have seen in the press, we really want to hear people’s own stories about Jack. I hope some of them make it to the museum on the 13th February for our special museum late – especially some ‘singles’, it would be wonderful for a couple to meet on this evening, in the museum!

But what would very much make it for me is for someone romantic enough to come along on the evening and make a proposal! That would be the icing on the cake – have I now set a challenge?”

Rachel Trevor, Volunteer Programme Development Co-ordinator, Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service said;
“The last museum late which Norwich Museums held was at Christmas at Norwich Castle. This was an extremely popular evening, the first one of its kind in Norwich and we saw over 1000 people come through the door. Whilst the Bridewell event will not be quite so large in scale we are hoping visitors will come along who perhaps haven’t yet found time to come in since we re-opened last July.
The museum tells so many fabulous tales about the history of Norwich and its colourful characters including the Edwardian Captain Canary from Norwich City Football Club. It is a small, boutique museum which is full of life and interesting things to learn, see and feel. Feedback has been so good about how the museum now looks and how it is presented. We urge the people of Norwich and Norfolk to come along and experience an evening with a bit of a difference.”

Valentine’s related events:

Wartime sweethearts and GI brides: Anglo American romance in Norfolk during WW2
2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich
1st – 24th January (Free)

History of Marriage in Norfolk (on Facebook)
Presented by the Norfolk Record Office
1st – 28th February (Free)

Wartime sweethearts and GI brides: a talk about Anglo American romance in Norfolk during WW2
2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich
13th February, 10.30am – 12.30pm (Free)

Valentine’s Eve – Wartime sweethearts and GI brides: your chance to reminisce
2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich
13th February, 1pm – 3pm (Free)

Valentine’s Eve at Bridewell Museum, an afterhours celebration for all ages!
Bridewell Museum, Bridewell Alley, Norwich
13th February, 5pm – 8pm (normal admission applies)

Valentine’s Trail and make your own card at Bridewell Museum
Bridewell Museum, Bridewell Alley, Norwich
16th, 19th – 23rd February (half term), 10am – 4pm (free activity with admission ticket)

Valentine’s Traditions at Bridewell Museum
Bridewell Museum, Bridewell Alley, Norwich
16th, 21st, 23rd February (half term), Thursday 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Saturday 2pm – 4pm (free activity with admission ticket)

Jack Valentine and other tales of Jack the wise fool from the Yarnsmith of Norwich
Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich
22nd February, 2pm FREE (half term)

For further information on Norwich and its surrounding area visit www.visitnorwich.co.uk

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