this was the 6th year of the amazing pavement party organised by venus, and this year (with saturday falling ON the 14th) there were similar gatherings in 14 other countries round the world inspired by the london events. venus is hoping that by 2015 (the next time valentine's falls on saturday) the event will be global.

as well as being a fantastic and different party, the afternoon also includes a consciousness-raising exercise which involves getting londoners, tourists, passers-by and party-people to form a huge circle, holding hands around the statue of anteros (god of selfless love).

each year has seen bigger and bigger circles forming, and this year nearly a thousand people joined hands and encircled the whole of the south pavement sometimes several deep, sending out love to the planet, and chanting the words "may all the beings in all the worlds be happy and at peace". this was happening at exactly the same time in various locations around the world.

the magic was obvious and for the rest of the day, people shared food, art, music, hugs, and love, with strangers and an array of musicians, including some turkish opera singers, and some amazing a cappellas.

although there has never been a formal arrangement with the authorities, the event passed without hassle, and the area was left in a beautiful state (with the addition of many chalk pictures and words) by about 9pm, after another final huge circle of people joined spontaneously to sing 'all you need is love'.