Residents in a village called ‘Lover’ are appealing for people to spread love on Valentine’s – and send cards to missed family and friends.
The Wiltshire community – dubbed the most romantic in the world because of its name – has launched a “send a little love” campaign.
People are being urged to send cards to much-missed friends, family and lonely neighbours.
Volunteers will be working from home to stamp cards with Lover’s own postmark.
The campaign is being supported by the Royal Mail.
Nick Gibbs, chairman of the Lover Community Trust said: “This year it is so important to help people stay connected and our much-loved service is perfectly placed to do just that.
“We want to help start a new tradition on Valentine’s Day of sending a little love to your special someone, relatives and friends.”
Up until 2005, the post office in Lover received 2,000 Valentine’s cards a year from people wanting to include the unique Lover postmark.
After it closed, residents of the village formed the Lover Community Trust and in the last five years have stamped more than 8,000 cards and letters with ‘Sent from Lover’ – and raised more than £30,000 for the village.
However, due to the pandemic and in a bid to stop people flocking to the village in person, the service has moved online.
The campaign’s website is already taking orders for cards which will be sent on their way with a Lover stamp.
The Lover Community Trust has also provided the option to make an online donation to two NHS charities as another way to say “thank you”.
Chris Gwilliam, local postman for Lover, Wiltshire: “Valentine’s Day is a busy time for us posties and we love to deliver cards and gifts from loved ones in time for February 14th.
“It is a particularly special time in the village of Lover and I look forward to playing my part in helping people to send a little bit of love this year.”
Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail said: “This Valentine’s Day, as people everywhere show their affection for one another, Royal Mail is playing the amazingly important role we always do by delivering cards, letters and gifts across the UK.
“This year it’s even more important with many couples spending Valentine’s Day apart. Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to let that special person in your life know how much you love them.
“But this year, it’s also an opportunity to show your love and appreciation to family and friends. We are proud and pleased to play a part in this loving celebration that shares so much joy and happiness in these challenging times.
“There is something so special about receiving personal messages through the post and what a wonderful service Lover village is offering at just the right moment.”
