As Valentine’s Day approaches each year, Varsity writers have always been keen to remind readers that Cambridge is, in fact, a city of love. In 2004, it was even claimed that “conclusive evidence” proved that the university was “sexier than ever.” While Vintage Varsity’s search through the archives has found no such confirmation, the last 70 years have shown that the trials and tribulations of finding love in Cambridge are nothing new.

Many articles published in the run-up to February 14th were keen to dole out romantic advice, presumably due to the unquestionable wisdom of Varsity writers on such matters. Six decades ago, it was helpfully pointed out to a female audience in an article called ‘The art of love’ that “men don’t like clever women … so you need to be very charming and immodest to be forgiven,” before suggesting they strive to appear “just that little bit more stupid than they are.” Noted. More practical guidance was offered in the noughties, yet still perhaps of varying degrees of quality. Readers in 2006 were directed to cook “steak marinated in vodka” for their lucky Valentine - an example of culinary brilliance accompanied by a near-naked photoshoot of the Blues water polo team in the Jesus College library. Advice for the ‘lads’ included pearls such as “DON’T compliment her too much” and “DON’T call her too soon” in 2004. If all else failed, one article from 1996 proposed an ideal destination for anyone finding themselves alone at this time of year - “South Wing, fifth floor, at the far end” in the University Library. Apparently, in “the tower of love,” students were after more than just the complete works of Milton, and a “cursory glance over a book” was a surefire way to express such intent.

Varsity also provided methods of anonymous flirting, acting as a print precursor to Crushbridge. ‘Lurve Lines’ allowed hopeful singles to donate a few pounds to RAG to have their romantic confessions printed for all to read. Contributions from the nineties range from the poetic “sod the Physics, let’s get physical” to the sardonic “your loss Pete, not mine.” There was also the “Date of the Week” section, a students’ chance to date “Cambridge’s most eligible singletons,” complete with short biographies, including the helpful “how to pull me” section. Before the age of seeing half of your cohort on Hinge, Varsity reported on the successes of the website ‘Romance.ucam.org’, which saw 10,000 registered users send coded Valentine’s messages to their admirees.

Varsity has never shied from reporting on the scandals that accompany Cantabs’ romantic endeavours. In 1954, the paper broke the news of Girton College’s decision to temporarily suspend four girls “for having men in their rooms at a late hour.” Fast forward to 2008, and one sensibly anonymous interviewee had more of a confession to make: “Once I had sex with a guy on the dance floor of Cindy’s. I think everyone else thought we were just rugger lads pretending, but we really were at it.” What a romantic city indeed.

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