50-Year reunion of Leeds Polytechnic’s first nursing cohort

In September 2024, the first cohort of degree nurses from Leeds Polytechnic (now Leeds Beckett University) came together to celebrate their 50-year anniversary. Thirteen students completed the nursing programme between 1974­-1978, and eleven of them gathered for this momentous occasion, a reflection of the deep bonds they forged during their training years. The reunion was more than just a gathering; it was a celebration of their shared journey in nursing, the evolution of healthcare, and the friendships that have stood the test of time.

The group stayed at Hinsley Hall in Headingley, a peaceful retreat that allowed them to reminisce in comfort. Headingley itself was a poignant setting, full of familiar landmarks from their student days. Their reunion was thoughtfully organised, in collaboration with the Leeds Beckett Alumni Team.

A highlight of the event was the tour of the School of Health, led by Jacqueline Parkin, the current Head of Nursing and Healthcare at the university. This visit brought back many memories for the group as they were shown the state-of-the-art facilities available to today’s students. The Clinical Simulation Centre particularly fascinated them. The centre offers students a safe and realistic environment to practice their nursing skills using life-like dummies, preparing them for both hospital and community settings. For the 1974 cohort, this represented a significant leap forward in nurse training. In their time, learning was often hands-on, with much of their experience gained directly from clinical placements. Seeing how far the training infrastructure has come gave them a new appreciation for the advancements in nursing education. They left feeling that nursing at Leeds Beckett University was in safe hands under Jackie’s inspiring leadership.

In addition to the tour, some members of the group took the opportunity to revisit St James’s Hospital, where many had completed their clinical placements, and the Thackray Medical Museum, where they were delighted to see exhibits of remembered innovations (e.g. the Charnley hip replacement). Others preferred to explore the neighbourhoods where they had lived as students, revisiting old haunts in Headingley and Roundhay. For many, it was a joy to see that some of their old haunts were still standing—The Royal Park, Skyrack, and The Original Oak—each a place filled with memories of laughter, camaraderie, and relaxation after long days of study or shifts on the ward. Another cherished landmark was the Hyde Park Picture House, now beautifully renovated.

The group dined together at Salvos, a well-loved family-run Italian restaurant that has been a fixture in Leeds for decades. Over plates of Italian food, they spent a wonderful evening reminiscing, sharing stories from their time at Leeds Polytechnic. The nostalgia was palpable as they managed, between them, to recall the names of all their lecturers, a testament to the impact those educators had on their formative years. The alumni spoke with special admiration for their course director, Cynthia Stevenson, who sadly passed away in 2021.

Back in 1974, only seven institutions in the UK offered a degree in nursing, and those cohorts were small, making their experience a rare privilege. Today, nursing degrees are a standard part of pre-registration nurse education, underscoring how forward-thinking their programme was at the time.

Their training nurtured close relationships with their lecturers, who would even visit them during night shifts on placement and share a drink with them in the pub. These connections profoundly shaped their nursing practice and professional values.

Over the years, all of them have developed a deep love for their careers. Some of the group pursued further qualifications, with a few choosing midwifery and one a career in mental health. Others remained in clinical practice, while several moved into teaching and research. Two members of the cohort went on to become Professors of Nursing, one became Deputy General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwifery, one held a senior management role in the NHS, and two were awarded CBEs for their outstanding contributions to professional practice. Their collective achievements are evidence of the strong foundation laid during their time at Leeds Polytechnic.

The storytelling at the reunion brought back many memories—of fun times, challenging moments, and the deep friendships they have built with one another. The group agreed that their friendships had only grown stronger over the years. As they made plans to meet again in 2028, they recognised that time was creeping up on them. In the past, they had gathered every ten years, but now they felt they could no longer take the risk of waiting too long. Their reunion, filled with laughter and heartfelt memories, was a reminder of the strength of their shared history and the legacy they had built both as individuals and as a cohort.

As they parted ways, they left with the knowledge that the friendships they had formed during their years at Leeds Polytechnic would continue to be a source of support and joy in the years to come.

This blog has been contributed by Julienne Meyer CBE, who is part of the first class of nursing graduates from Leeds Beckett University.