Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust Launches a New Website Celebrating Stories of Love this Valentine’s Day

A new website launching this Valentine’s Day is collecting stories behind moments of romance connected with Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge. ‘The Union’ is a new online project which celebrates love in all its forms, inviting the public to experience the human heritage of the iconic landmark in a completely new way.

Across the world, bridges are used as symbols of love and connection. Clifton Suspension Bridge is no exception, with many couples choosing it as a special place to mark key moments in their relationships, such as those who have chosen the famous spot to pop the question or declare their love. The project invites anyone with a personal connection to the bridge - from first dates to proposals and anniversaries - to add their story to the new online collection at theunion.cliftonbridge.org.uk.

'The Union’ is a collaboration between the team at Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre and creative strategist and designer Emily Sorrell, and has been supported by Art Fund’s Reimagine grant, which aims to help museums, galleries and cultural organisations better engage with their communities following the pandemic lockdowns.

“We wanted to work harder to amplify the voices of the people who have connected with, used and enjoyed the bridge, and who have their own stories to tell about it”, says Laura Hilton, Visitor Experience Manager. “This artistic collaboration is our first opportunity to consciously collect, share and preserve these stories.”

Designer Emily Sorrell adds “Love is an important yet underrepresented part of the landmark’s history and through this project, we can begin to preserve these stories of positivity to celebrate connection, complexity, resilience and romance in an overwhelmingly happy post-pandemic project for 2022/23.”

For Chris Booy, Chair of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, the project is a fitting addition to the Trust’s repertoire: “As custodians of the bridge we are committed to not only preserving its structure but also its legacy. We are grateful to have the support of the Art Fund in collecting people’s personal stories to share with present and future generations.”