Frome Valentine Gas Lamp

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14th February 2025

The 2025 ceremony, signalled by the traditional firework at 5.30pm, started with the gathering crowd being serenading by an accordian player. At 6pm sharp the town crier, Martin Scott, exulted the crowd with words about love. Three poems were read. Reg Ling, the inventor, creator and custodian of the lamp for the last 32 years, handed over his lamp lighting duties to the new incumbent Eddie Young, who lit the lamp. The mayor, Andy Jones, presented Reg Ling with a civic award to commemorate his commitment and dedication. Mulled wine was imbibed. It was cold and rained but the record crowd left happy and full of love.

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Poems read aloud:

Without by Dom McDonald

Without both, the worlds are cold

unforgiving and hard.

Without both, we cannot touch

we do not flourish.

Without one, a dark enfolds the earth,

without the other, we are alone.

Without either, we wither

diminish and fade.

With the two, light and love,

we have life, we have warmth.

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Lamplight by Jane Hughes

I sense you, feel you, by my side.

Hold me, wrap me in your arms.

To feel your beating heart, in time

with mine, I surrender to your charms.

Your eyes, under lamplight, shine.

Valentine’s magic encircles us.

Shine, lamplight on my eyes.

Am I yours? Charmed and cherished?

Our hearts, as one, beat in time

as I’m held, secure in your arms.

You feel me, sense me, by your side.

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The Valentine Street Lamp by Ethan King

The sign is on slant: I like that.

Love is never a level track.

Lamp post could do with a lick of paint;

Not one of us stays at our permanent best.

Bulb’s grown a bit dim;

That can happen too.

Look deeper:

Lasting Love is a wild briar,

Wrapped round a column of steel.

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