Louise Grosvenor joined Leeds Beckett at the end of 2017 as Hospitality and Events Supervisor in the CARES Team, but her family’s connection with the University goes back almost 50 years – her parents, Graham and Helen Casey, met at the City of Leeds Teacher Training College in 1970, marrying in 1973.

Graham recalls: “Whilst we didn’t meet until Helen started her Physical Education Junior Teacher Training course in September 1970, at the end of my first year at college, myself and three of my school friends took a holiday to Majorca. While enjoying the Mediterranean sun, I noticed a young woman, very athletic with long brown hair, but I never plucked up the courage to speak to her. Imagine my surprise when I returned to college that autumn and lo and behold, there she was.”

“I didn’t remember him” admits Helen. “I’d gone abroad with some friends before we all went away to college and university, so I was just enjoying the time I spent with them.”

“When I returned to college that September, and Helen was there, I couldn’t believe my luck, it still took me a while to speak to her mind, but I finally asked her out to the Union Bar and the rest as they say is history.”

Graham and Helen both have fond memories of their time at City of Leeds and Carnegie College, and not just because they met here. Helen explains: “We both played a lot of sport at College, I enjoyed Netball, Athletics, Basketball and Cricket - Graham enjoyed the Basketball and Cricket too.

“We both lived on campus which was handy with the amount of sport we played. Graham spent his spent his final two years in Carnegie Hall and I lived in Leighton first and then later in Bronte.” 

Graham proposed in Helen’s second year and they were married just after she graduated. Remaining in the city, they both took jobs as Middle School teachers, Graham in Osmondthorpe and Helen in Harehills.

Over the years they kept up their shared passion for Basketball, setting up local teams alongside their teaching commitments and, as well as Louise, they also have a son, Philip.

Now 68 and 66 respectively, Graham and Helen spend their retirement relaxing, watching Yorkshire play cricket and keeping in touch with friends from their time at our university.