This Valentines Day we’re sharing stories from our alumni who were lucky enough to find their partner while at Homerton. Read on for some heart-warming tales of finding connection, partnership, and romance. It goes to show that while studying for a 1st, you might just find the One...
Jane and Peter Hancock: A Chance Encounter
While studying in the 1970s, Jane and her future husband volunteered at the Homerton and Selwyn Visting Groups respectively. It was at a party hosted for this initiative that they crossed paths:
“To be honest I don’t remember anything about the party but I did meet my future husband! He had brought the elderly gentleman that he was visiting. 47 years later we are still happily married, we have four children and eight grandchildren and have had a wonderful time together thanks to the Homerton/ Selwyn Visiting Group!”
Jennie and George Trafford: A Freshers Forever
Jennie and George were lucky enough to meet in their Freshers Week in 1994, going on to graduate alongside each other in 1998. Their partnership has lasted ever since:
“[We] will celebrate 25 years of happy marriage this year, 32 years after meeting…Thanks to Homerton we each found a soul mate and best friend.”
Bramwell Bearcroft and Jennifer Donaldson: From Courtside to Courting
One of just a dozen men at Homerton in 1978, Bramwell met Jennifer on a squash court in their very first week. After successful sporting tenures as Varsity Netball Captain and founding Homerton Cricket Team, Jennifer and Bramwell celebrate 43 years of marriage:
“We fell in love at Homerton and are very grateful for the great start and opportunities it gave us and for bringing us together!”
Susan and Arthur Lyons: Blind Date to Budding Romance
Susan and Arthur were set up on a ‘blind date’ by a fellow Homertonian at a concert:
“It was not ‘love at first sight’ for me but Arthur treasured the programme which we still have, so I reckon he must have immediately fancied me!”
Despite the College curfew, they saw each other frequently and attended Trinity Hall May Ball together.
“Thank you Homerton for the ‘Carmina Burana’ concert which led to our chance meeting and subsequent very happy lives together.”
Carl Aspinwall and Pennie Orpin: A Trip to the Coast
Despite being at Homerton together, Carl and Pennie had not crossed paths until a trip on the Homerton Students Union minibus to Hunstanton. They bumped into each on several occasions until they:
“managed to secure some Trinity May Ball tickets which was pretty incredible at such late notice but definitely meant to be! We have been together, extremely happily, ever since.”
Jane and Steve Coverdale: Disco Dates
In October of 1973 Jane and Steve bumped into each other, quite literally, at one disco after another. Alongside finding lifetime friends, they found lasting partnership, marrying the day after Steve’s last Varsity cricket match.
“Although our wedding anniversary is in July, we always celebrate 8th October every year as our true anniversary. That is the day that means so much to us!”
Weijun and Chien Lim: Long Distance Love
Weijun and Chien first met in West House as freshers and ended up back there in fourth year- this time as more than friends. Despite 11 years of long-distance due to scholarships and Covid, the couple finally reunited in Singapore in 2024.
“Lasting connections really can begin in Homerton; our first Home away from Home.”
Mark and Hannah Perry: Teaching Fate
Mark and Hannah met in 1999 at an event at Homerton, both connected by studying for their PGCEs at the College.
“We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in July 2025 and came back to Cambridge with our two wonderful children to show them where we met.”
Ria and Colin Berry: A Homerton Proposal
Ria and Colin were childhood sweethearts, having met in school before Ria came to Homerton to study English Literature with Education. Knowing how much her time at the College meant to Ria, Colin decided to propose to her at Homerton, just outside the iconic Great Hall.
“Homerton College holds so many special memories for me. I got engaged there 12 years after I graduated and have shown my two boys where their mum used to study. I may have omitted information about the fun nights out I had though...!”
Have an alumni story you would like to share? Please do get in touch with our Alumni & Development Team: development@homerton.cam.ac.uk
