Belonging in the House of Mrs Brocksom

In post-war Britain, many aspiring lawyers and accountants from countries mainly from the Commonwealth came to learn at the Leeds College of Commerce. Armed with Diplomas, Certificates, and sound knowledge, most returned to their respective countries and communities to put into practice the skills they had acquired. 

In 1950s Yorkshire, these men and women suffered appalling racial abuse and slurs, but amid the invective were signs of a kinder, more inclusive society. A story run by the Yorkshire Evening Post tells of a local widow, Mrs Jessie Brocksom, who lived in a large house on Blenheim Square. She invited overseas students as lodgers, primarily young men from Nigeria, India and Pakistan. Mrs Brocksom admitted she was apprehensive, having heard “a lot of talk,” but after a little while, concluded that they were all “grand lads”. Mrs Brocksom was especially impressed at how courteous they were compared to other tenants. Mrs Brocksom and her guests, as many as ten sharing accommodation, found common ground and a growing sense of belonging. The encounter between cultures was able to shift perceptions.