Valentine’s Day: Alumni best friends through time

To celebrate Valentine’s Day 2025, we asked our alumni community to share their stories of meeting lifelong friends while studying at Newcastle University. In this blog, we’ve gathered some of their heartwarming memories.

Whether it was an instant connection during Freshers' Week, bonding over shared passions, or late-night library sessions, these stories celebrate the lifelong friendships that make university life unforgettable. Newcastle University has always been a place where moving away from home turns into finding a second family, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

'Newcastle gave us more than an education'

Colin Weedon (BSc Chemistry, 1967), Val Weedon (BSc Faculty of Education, 1970), Margaret Hodgskinson (BA Sociology and Social Administration, 1970), and Ian Hodgskinson (BSc Metallurgy, 1969)

Colin: Val, Margaret, Ian and me met at Newcastle University, and our friendship has lasted ever since. Remarkably, it also led to two marriages: Val and I, and Ian and Margaret.

When Val arrived at Ethel Williams Hall, she quickly became friends with Margaret, who has been a constant in her life - even longer than she’s known me!

After graduation, our paths took us to opposite ends of the country - Margaret and Ian moved to Kilmarnock, while Val and I settled in Harpenden near St Albans. Though we didn’t see each other often, we stayed in touch through letters. Eventually, life brought us closer again when Margaret and Ian relocated to Leamington Spa.

Since then, we’ve shared countless adventures, from canoeing in the Lake District to attending Royal Shakespeare productions in Stratford-upon-Avon.

We’ve returned to Newcastle twice: once for our silver wedding anniversary and again in 2018 to celebrate 50 years of friendship. Revisiting old haunts like the Students’ Union and Leazes Park was a trip down memory lane. Newcastle has changed so much from the small university we knew, but the memories and friendships remain.

Val: In December 1967, during my first term at Newcastle University, Margaret and I heard about the Newcastle University Boat Club’s Christmas party. With no idea where Newburn was, we set off on an adventure through the snow to find it. That night introduced us to new faces, laughter, and the beginnings of lifelong friendships.

Over the years, Margaret, Ian, Colin, and I have shared countless adventures and created many more memories.

Margaret: Ian and I formed a friendship with Val and Colin during the highs and lows of student life, and it has remained strong ever since.

On our last visit to Newcastle, it was interesting to see that Wetherspoons now occupies the part of the Students' Union building where we used to spend our lunchtimes. The space was bustling with football fans preparing for a match. I’ve always loved that Newcastle University is part of the city and not tucked away on a remote campus.

Ian: In my final year, Colin and I were among the first residents of Castle Leazes - me in Eustace and he in Havelock. It was fascinating to return 50 years later and see it again, no longer a building site but on the brink of demolition.

It’s surprising how little the core of the university has changed, despite there now being far more students than the 2,000 we knew. Reflecting on those important years in our lives brings so much joy, and the four of us continue to return to the places that hold such special memories.

Val and Margaret as hippies on the 1967 rag float

'Everyone needs good friends to get you through tough times'

Kirsty McCurdy (Law, 2014)

I met my friend Jack at Newcastle Law School in 2010. Hearing his accent for the first time, I started conversing in French, “Oh My Word! You are French! Bonjour, ça va?!” - only for him to laugh at my atrocious French accent and to correct me to say he was actually from Belgium. It was an inauspicious start to what would become a strong and lasting friendship.

My journey at university was far from straightforward. Coming from a rural area in Northern Ireland, moving to a bustling city like Newcastle was a significant culture shock. Jack was a constant source of reassurance and often calmed me down over a coffee to help me adjust to city life and feel more at home.

Due to a family illness, I had to leave Newcastle for a while and restart a year later. During this difficult time, Jack was always there for me, offering unwavering support and kindness.

I began my repeat year in 2011, and Jack mentored me, helping me stay on top of my essays and deadlines. At the beginning of the year, I met one of my other close friends Sarah in my block at Castle Leazes. She invited me out with her friends, helping me feel more comfortable returning to university life.

Though I initially lost touch with some friends after leaving Newcastle, I reconnected with Sarah and will be attending her wedding in Portugal this year! I also have chatted to Jack online and hope to catch up in person in London soon.

A musical journey

Maria Winter (BA Contemporary and Popular Music, 2021; MA International Multimedia Journalism, 2023) and Sam Harris (BA Contemporary and Popular Music, 2021)

I met Sam on the first day of our undergraduate course in Contemporary and Popular Music. We bonded instantly over our shared love of rock music and ended up taking most of the same modules. Throughout our time at Newcastle, we collaborated on various musical projects, including launching a business as part of the Music Enterprise module with Jane Nolan. Turning a university project into a real venture was an incredible opportunity that shaped our careers.

We also shared plenty of fun and unforgettable moments, from trying out quirky societies just for the experience to joining random clubs we knew nothing about, which always resulted in hilarious stories. And, of course, there were countless late nights spent stressing over coursework deadlines at the library.

After graduating, Sam and I remained close friends and co-founded Marisam Events, a female-led live events company delivering unique, interactive music experiences across the North East. While our work allows us to collaborate creatively, we also make time to nurture our friendship by going to gigs, brainstorming ideas, and catching up over coffee.

Newcastle University has played a significant role in our journey. Over the years, we've returned for guest lectures, conferences, and to reconnect with lecturers. The University's welcoming community and commitment to fostering strong alumni connections create a lasting sense of belonging, making every visit both meaningful and rewarding.

Thank you everyone for sharing!

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