YSJ Love Stories 2026: 1960s – 2006

by · February 9, 2026

A banner with a pink tinged photo of campus with the words 'YSJ Love Stories' overlaid on top. Each letter is a block capital with a photo inside of some of our alumni.

This year over 30 alumni shared their YSJ Love Stories with us. Including alumni who met on their first day at York St John, navigated long distance relationships and enjoyed dressing up together, we hope you enjoy reading through some of our beautiful love stories.

A memorable coach dance

Shared by Geoff and Sue Cooke who met in 1960.

We met at the College Dance at St John’s College. Sue came on the coach trip from Scarborough Training College. We married in 1963 and are still together.

A pirates life for me

Shared by Anthony and Claire, who met in 1973.

I hadn’t been long at the College. Just settled in to Lower Temple as a first year student (Geography) on the Middle School course (9-13). Completed my first teaching practice at Malton County Primary School.

I joined the St John’s College Gilbert & Sullivan Society and auditioned for the Pirate King…and was given the part…
Claire attended one of the performances and..she says…fell in love with my voice. She then decided I was the one for her and she set about making sure I knew it. Through many ups and downs I was, in the end, thoroughly hooked and landed!!

We got engaged in 1976, I took up a teaching post in Newark upon Trent while Claire took her B.Ed. (Hons) degree in History with Dr Addy. We were married at The Metropolitical Cathedral Church of St Peter & St William of York….York Minster!! We had been the baby sitters for one of the Canons of the Minster, Canon Paul Burbridge, who conducted the Marriage Ceremony with The Eucharist celebrated by the Bishop of Selby, Rt Revd Morris St John Maddocks. How lucky were Claire and I?

I did my B.Ed.(Hons) degree at The University of Nottingham whilst still teaching full time. However, the greatest pleasure for me was receiving a B.Ed. (Honoris causa) from The University of York St John in 2019. A great sadness that we couldn’t attend graduation due to my heart operation.

We celebrate our 49th Wedding Anniversary on August 20th this year. I do not know where I would be today if I had not been ‘captured’ by my lovely wife. She gave me such support and confidence in my life and career, moving through teaching to Headship (x2) and Diocesan Director of Education (Winchester & Portsmouth). I could never repay that and I hope she has never doubted her choice…though you will have to ask her!!

A photo of Anthony dressed as a pirate in 1973 for a college production. He is smiling proudly at the camera in a belted red frock coat with gold detailing and a black pirate's hat with a skull and cross bones.
A photo from Claire and Anthony's wedding day outside York Minster.

An ‘inauspicious’ start

Shared by Margaret and Alan Brown who met in 1980.

We were both taking a Careers Guidance and Counselling 12 week course as part of our B. ED degrees. We first met when we were put together in a counselling role play. I had to pretend to be a pregnant teenager and Alan’s role as counsellor was to help me. I found it very endearing that he was so uncomfortable that he struggled to even say the word ‘pregnant’. From that inauspicious start, we have been very happily married for 42 years.

A recent selfie of Margaret and Alan taken outside. Behind them is a wooded area, outdoor furniture and beautiful plants. Alan takes the photo with Margaret smiling over his shoulder. They are both wearing light blue and smiling happily. Margaret's nails are blue and sparkly.

It all started at the station…

Shared by Rose and Austin Bowers, who met in 1987.

As a fresher, back in September 1987, I arrived at York Station carrying a huge holdall, my D of E backpack and my teddy in hand. Rather over laden, I was making a beeline for the taxis to take me to Heworth Croft. In those days second years volunteered to meet freshers at the station in the college minibus. I was greeted by a ‘Where do you think you are going?’ So that’s when I met ‘Aussie’ – and the rest is history.

We both studied biology. He did Geography and I did Education. They were fun days. Now married for 33 years, holding each other together through the strifes of life and still good friends with people we met in the good old days at college!

A black and white photo of Rose and Austin sat together. Taken from above, Austin is sat on a checked armchair before a gas fire. Rose sits on the floor, leaning against the chair as she watches a small TV in the corner.
A recent selfie of Rose and Austin in front of a harbour area. It's night and the two are smiling at the camera together. Behind them, a mix of buildings are reflected in the water.
A photo of Rose and Austin in front of a sleek grey yacht flying a British flag. They are both wearing sunglasses.

Welcome to the 1990s

With Madonna, Meat Loaf and the Spice Girls as a soundtrack, our alumni continued to find love on nights out, watching the communal TV and even through shared sporting connections!

Friendship never ends

Shared by Annalisa, Gill and Lisa, who all met in 1991.

If ever there was a true love story….it’s the one written by The Gillygate Girls. From day one in Temple Hall, September 1991 three nervous north east girls stuck together like glue. Through our degrees, life in F block, sharing flats and house, Summer Balls, graduations, weddings, births, illness and more we are still glued….our 50th birthday celebrations in Gran Canaria brought out ALL the stories again from St Johns. Happy times, special ladies, a fabulous love story of true friendship.

A recent photo of Annalisa, Gill and Lisa together at a wine bar, or similar.
A photo of the trio in an off license buying drinks in formal dresses. They are all smiling happily at the camera.
An early selfie taken on a camera showing the trio of friends at a gig, with the performer behind them.
A photo from graduation showing two of the trio in their academic robes and hats with the third stood between them smiling.
A photo from a wedding day showing them sat together on a sofa, one in a wedding dress, flanked by her two friends.

From the basketball court

Shared by Lindsay and Daniel Frater who met in 1993

I was a fourth year at St John’s and had the role of treasurer in the basketball club. Dan was a first year and like most freshers wanted to avoid paying subs! He thought I was loud, bossy and brash. I thought he was immature and annoying. I stayed in York after graduating and house shared with another girl from the Basketball club who was in Dan’s year group. In 1995 I was persuaded to go out for drinks with my housemate and her younger friends. We called at her friend’s house to find out where we were meeting and there was Dan. He’d put on some much needed weight and no longer seemed so scrawny! We got chatting, had a few drinks together and that was it. April 1995 and we got engaged in the December.

We got married in August 1997 and we have two kids aged 26 and 23. We’ve lived in Northumberland for the past 29 years but St John’s and York still hold lots of happy memories for us both.

A photo of Lindsay and Daniel at a formal occasion at Christmas time. They are both posing in front of a Christmas tree, smiling at the camera. Lindsay is in a dark purple slip dress with her hair up. Daniel is wearing a dark suit or tux with a bow tie.
A photo of Lindsay and Daneil sat on a sofa together holding their newborn. They are both smiling happily at the camera.
A close up photo of Daniel and Lindsay's faces smiling at the camera.
A recent photo of Daniel and Lindsay sat together on some grass. They may be in sports gear, as they are both in shorts and trainers.
A black and white selfie of Lindsay and Daniel smiling at the camera. They're outside in winter, wrapped up on thick coats and hats. They are both smiling at the camera.

A vicar and a beetle walk into a bar…

Shared by Saskia and Steven Wood who met in 1994 in the Students’ Union.

I started at SJU in 1992, My husband started at SJU in 1993. He was in the year below, even though he is 4 years older. I met my husband, properly, in March 1994. We had danced around each other a bit for a few weeks previously, fancy dress pub crawl (He was a Vicar, I was a beetle 6 legs and all!). He always seemed to have pretty girls around him, so I figured at best we could be mates. We bumped into each other in the SU properly on 7th March 1994. He offered to loan me some books as our courses were similar. We met at the Hansom Cab the following day, and that was the start!
We got engaged later that year in October (yes really!), but it was another four years before we got married.

This year 2026, will be our 28th wedding anniversary. However, thanks to SJU we will be celebrating 32 years ‘courting’ in March.
Studying at SJU, best decision EVER!

A photo from Saskia and Steven's wedding day. They are kissing one another whilst holding a glass of fizz. Behind them are landscaped gardens, and in the distances, large, hills. Saskia is wearing an off the shoulder white bridal gown and holding a beautiful bouquet, which includes ivy and lilies. Her hair is down. Steven wears a dark suit with a yellow shirt and darker tie. He has a white buttonhole.

From I block to I love you

Shared by Neil and Ruth Harrison who met on Valentine’s Day 1995 at Silks Nightclub’s Valentine’s Day disco.

My wife and a mutual friend lived in I block York Campus. We had a brief chat one drunken night at an I block party., Then several weeks later bumped into each other at Silks Nightclub on Valentine’s night. Our first date; the next night on 15th ;shamefully my fault I invited my now wife to join me and several friends watching the football at the Punch Bowl Stonegate. She accepted the invite, We have been together ever since. Two children later, careers in London before moving back to the North East.

We’re heading back to York in February to celebrate our 50th birthdays with 10 friends, all of us meeting on our first night at St Johns during Freshers week.

A photo of Neil and Ruth at their graduation. They pose in front of a pale stone building in their black graduation gowns and hats. They are both smiling happily at the camera.

It’s all about communication

Shared by Cathryn and Josh McHugh who met on 6 February 1997 during an International Society pun crawl.

I’d been dragged a society meeting by friends who were concerned I was pining for my time on international exchange in Pennsylvania – and the new American students had just arrived. Time to socialize!

There was a cute American student in my group, and we got chatting… and chatting… and chatting… He walked me home after a post-pub-crawl party at the Grange (I was living on campus), and the rest is history. 29 years later we’re still together – having navigated 4 years of a long-distance relationship, 7 years in Boston, MA, and 18 years in Los Angeles, CA! We’re celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this year.

It’s hard for students today to imagine life before technology, but once he returned to New Hampshire after 4 months studying in England, our early courtship was conducted through letters and long-distance phone calls – using calling cards you had to pre-load. Sending emails meant going to the computer lab on campus – and it was at least 2 years before the earliest video calls happened. We joke that our early days were all about communication, and that carries over to this day. Ironically, my degree was in American Studies, I guess I took that studying a little too seriously!

So many good memories of York – the summer ball, Silks nightclub 80s nights, pub crawls, and nights in the Student Union – I’m so glad I went along to that International Society meeting and literally changed the course of my life!…

A photo of Cathryn and Josh smiling at the camera together. They are sat at a wooden dining table, both wearing blue. Josh is turned around in his chair with his arm around Cathryn for the photo.
A photo of Cathryn and Josh at a formal event. Cathryn is wearing a pale pink satin or silk slip style dress. Josh wears a dark suit or tux with a pink-purple bowtie. He is holding a pint glass as they smile together at the camera.
A recent selfie of Cathryn and Josh together. They are at a large music event with beautiful hills surrounding them. Josh is wearing a flat cap. They both look happy.

From Neighbours to more

Shared by Bec and Phil Carman who met in their Bishops Chase accommodation at our Ripon campus in 1998.

Phil and I met within the first few days of starting in Ripon, we met watching Neighbours around the communal TV in Bishops Chase! We had lots of mutual friends through the Christian Union so plenty of social time and activities together. In the Feb of our first year, 1999, we had our first kiss on the dance floor in the Wilkie and have been together every since. We have three children, will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year and have recently moved back to Ripon! Phil is the vicar of Holy Trinity church in Ripon where we went as students and our house is opposite The Cottages – my first year halls!

A photo of Bec and Phil playing twister as students. They are both wearing hoodies or sweatshirts. Phil is smiling at the camera directly whilst Bec is caught mid-move.
A photo of Bec and Phil from a more formal event. Phil is wearing a light coloured suit jacket with a light blue shirt and tie. Bec is wearing black. They are both seated as they smile at the camera together.
A slightly blurry recent selfie of Bec and pPil with their child. They are stood in front of the cottages they used to live in as students.
A recent selfie of Bec and Phil standing outside in front of Christmas lights. It's cold and they're wearing winter coats, hats and scarves. Despite the weather, they are both smiling happily.
A recent selfie of Bec and Phil posing in front of the entrance to our old Ripon campus in summer time.

A new millennium

As the 2000s dawned, things started to change at York St John, and more widely. But that didn’t stop our alumni from finding love! From shared routes to campus, to well-timed fire alarms, our alumni kept finding love during their studies.

Thank you fire alarm!

Shared by Claire and Chris Roper who met in 2003.

We had mutual friends in common. We had met a few times but it wasn’t until the fire alarm went off in the union and I was trying to avoid a guy who I had been on a disastrous date with, that we got talking! We then went to Ziggy’s, and the next night Toffs, where we had our first kiss!

A slightly faded photo of Claire and Chris sat together on a brown leather sofa. They're leaning together and towards the camera. They look as if they are mid-laughing conversation and look happy.
A photo of Claire and Chris with their child. Taken as a selfie, they are all smiling up at the camera.
A photo of the family, Claire, Chris and their son, with Father Christmas. Claire and Chris are sat with Father Christmas in his sleigh and their child is smiling in front of it, beside Father Christmas.

A badminton substitute

Shared by George and Xiaoqian who met in 2004, playing badminton for York St John.

We met when Xiaoqian played as a substitute for my usual mixed partner in a York and District league match at Market Weighton. After a slow start and spending time apart when Xiaoqian returned to Beijing for the summer, we finally got together. 9 months later, after a tearful talk long into the night about her return to China I made a very unromantic proposal. We lived in York for 14 years and added a son to our family, then moved to Beijing for work but hope to return someday. In 2025 we celebrated our 20 year anniversary. Thank you York St John’s!

A photo of George and Xiaoqian smiling up at the camera together. Beside them are heart and pink foods, and roses. They look very happy together.

From fancy dress to wedding dress

Shared by Daniel and Kate Kerr who met in 2005 during their first year at York St John.

We met during Freshers’ Week in September 2005, thrown together on the top floors of Blocks I and H — a chaotic but brilliant mix of northerners and southerners learning to live, laugh, and survive together. What followed was the classic Freshers routine: instant friendships, questionable decisions, and nights spent hopping between Monday Nexus, Tuesday Gallery, and Wednesday Toffs with our friends and the growing gang we picked up along the way.

It wasn’t until the second term, in January 2006, when we all returned from Christmas and York slowly came back to life, that something shifted. Before lectures had even restarted, the socialising resumed — same friends, same nights out — and on our very first night back, Toffs worked its magic. That’s where we shared our first kiss, sealing a moment that would quietly change everything.

Both of us were involved in sports teams, which meant Wednesday nights at Toffs became a ritual — usually in fancy dress and rarely sensible. We loved any excuse to get dressed up properly too, from the Students’ Union Ball to Sports Dinner at York Racecourse. No matter how glamorous the night, it almost always ended the same way: tired feet, big smiles, and a late-night pizza from King’s.

After university, Yorkshire became home. What started in student halls grew into a life together — and in 2015, we made it official and got married. Now, nearly two decades on, we’re proud parents to two daughters, both of whom have visited York to see where it all began and to understand why that city will always hold such a special place in our family’s story.

In January 2026, we’ll celebrate 20 years together — proof that sometimes the best love stories really did start at York St John.

A photo of Daniel and Kate during a student party. They are both wearing camo items, and Daneil has green-brown streaks across his cheeks. They are hugging one another, smiling at the camera in a dark room.
Daniel and Kate both smile at the camera holding bottles of wine and beer. They are at a party and look happy as they laugh posing together.
A photo of Daniel and Kate at their wedding, smiling at the caemra together as friends and family dance and party behind them.
A recent photo of the couple. Their are two drinks on the table in front of them, something mojito like. They are both smiling at the camera.

‘Before long we were inseparable’

Shared by Sarah and Jozef Sen who met in 2005.

We met on the same placement organised through our course (BA hons Counselling). I was the year ahead of Joe. We met on the coach heading to the placement organised by our course and got chatting in the Student Union afterwards. Like most love stories before long we were inseparable and have been together for 20 years. Married for 12 years with two beautiful children. One of our favourite things to do is visit York – it holds so many special memories for us; it’s where we met, where we got engaged and subsequently married. Without YSJ we would never have met!

A recent selfie of Sarah and Jozef smiling at the camera. They are dressed nicely, Sarah in leopard print, Jozef in a blue-black coat with a dark top beneath. They both look happy.

All thanks to Emma

Shared by Debbie and James Hartley who met in 2006.

We first met outside St Mary’s House the Grange and also in the laundry room! James lived in a flat downstairs and I lived upstairs in flat 206. We would walk to lectures around the same time and always seemed to see each other! I was studying Occupational Therapy and James, Sports Studies.
After a cinema trip with mutual friends and some great nights in Toffs and Gallery… the rest is history!
Thank you Emma for passing on my number to James!

We have been together 20years! Got engaged outside St Mary’s house, in 2016, married in 2018 and have two beautiful daughters. We will forever love York and York St John. Such a special place 💗

A photo of Debbie and James from their graduation. They are stood in the twilight outside York Minster, raising their hats at the camera. They are both dressed formally with black academic robes. They both look proud and happy.
A photo of Debbie and James smiling up at the camera. They ae smiling up at the camera.
A photo of Debbie and James on their wedding day. They're outside in a woodland area, with sun peaking through the leaves behind them. James is in a grey-blue suit with a pink tie. His arms are around Debbie as they smile at the camera together.
A photo of Debbie and James cutting their wedding cake together. The cake is three layers with pink decorations and flowers. Debbie is in an off-shoulder lace dress with a veil. James is wearing a grey checked waistcoat with a pink tie.

Thank you to everyone who shared their love stories with us this year. If you’ve got a story to share with us that isn’t a love story, why not complete an alumni snapshot?

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