Meet the Love experts

Sarah Rodi speaks to the relationship gurus to learn some lessons in love this Valentine’s Day, plus we bring you our top date destinations in Berkshire

It’s the biggest day of the year for romance – 14 February; Valentine’s Day. And with this in mind, it has got us thinking about the modern dating scene and what it’s like in Berkshire. How and where do people meet these days? Back when I met my husband, we didn’t even have mobile phones. We met on the steps of a nightclub and hit it off. We arranged to meet the next week for our first date, and I was an hour late with no way of letting him know. Thankfully, he waited and the rest is history. And, once we’ve found love, how do we hold on to it? In these busy times, how do we achieve personal relationship happiness?

I spoke to two local love experts, one who assists people in finding love, and one who helps couples hold onto it. They have some great tips.

Then, turn the page to discover our round-up of romantic ideas of things to do on Valentine’s Day this year. Don’t let the day go by without telling them how you feel.

The matchmaker

Hayley Bystram is the Founder and MD of Bowes-Lyon Partnership, an exclusive matchmaking agency that caters for eligible individuals, mainly in the London and Home Counties areas. She lives with her husband and their two children. “I started the agency as an antithesis to online dating. In this modern world we have never been more connected but yet people don’t seem to be connecting on a personal level. With lifestyles that seem increasingly busier and more demanding the opportunities to meet new people seems to be few and far between,” she says.