Every day, hundreds of people drive up the narrow road which leads to Parklands Hospital in Overport, but few know the romantic story that lies behind the school gates.

In Yorkshire, a hundred and fifty years ago this month, a twenty-one year old draper's assistant, William Hartley, happened to pick up a book entitled "The New Colony of Port Natal" written by a Mr Methley. He was so fascinated by it that he read it aloud to his fiancé, Isabella Hughes. Although she had never set foot outside her home town, Leeds, she became fired by William's enthusiasm. The couple were married on 14 November 1849, and set sail for Port Natal a fortnight later.