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Mass renewal of vows planned for Valentine's Day

Getty Images Coventry's old cathedral ruins seen next to the new 20th Century building. There is a clear, blue sky and people are walking around the cathedral precincts. There are decorative globes and a water feature is visible.Getty Images
The event will be held in the iconic setting of Coventry Cathedral

Couples are being invited to reaffirm their commitment to one another on Valentine's Day in a mass renewal of vows at Coventry Cathedral.

Now that Christmas is over and people look forward to spring, We Still Do is being launched by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio (BBC CWR).

Married couples can apply to be part of the event, from Monday morning on the BBC CWR website.

The deadline for applications is 26 January and couples will be informed on 28 January if they have been successful.

Sophie Cook, BBC CWR executive editor, said: "While everything starts to go back to normal in the new year, we all need something to look forward to in 2025.

"At BBC CWR, we are so excited to offer the opportunity to give hundreds of couples the chance to renew their vows in a mass service on Valentines day, in the most iconic setting of Coventry Cathedral.

"We can't wait to hear from and meet the most amazing couples in our area who would like to say 'We Still Do'."

Getty Images The nave of the cathedral, or the central part of the building, with a view of the tapestry, Christ in Glory, by Graham Sutherland, which depicts the risen Christ in an aura of light in heaven.Getty Images
Weddings at the cathedral are held in smaller chapels as well as the nave

The event is open to all couples, including those who have only been married for a short time, those who are celebrating a big anniversary, people out there who have faced hurdles and want to reaffirm their commitment to each other, and some who may just want to shout their love "from the rooftops".

'Wonderful setting'

Coventry's 20th Century cathedral stands alongside the ruins of the original Cathedral of St Michael, which was built between the late 14th and 15th centuries.

The old cathedral was destroyed during the World War Two blitz, in 1940.

For couples planning weddings, the cathedral has several spots for ceremonies including its smaller chapels as well as the nave - and its website says the ruins make a "wonderful setting" for photographs.

Couples who are taking part will need to be available on Valentine's Day.

Each pair will be responsible for their own clothing, transport and flowers on the big day.

Same sex couple are not able to get married in the cathedral, but they can be among the couples who renew their vows.

Getty Images A bird flies over the bombed-out ruins of the Cathedral Church of St Michael in Coventry. The structure was destroyed in an air raid during World War Two. Walls, arches and decorative stone features still remain.Getty Images
The old cathedral was bombed during World War Two

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