Vincent's Club facts for kids
The front door of Vincent's Club
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| Formation | 1863 |
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| Location |
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Membership
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Oxford Blues (predominantly) |
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President
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Daniel Bundred |
Vincent's Club, often called Vinnie's, is a special club in Oxford, England. It's a private place where members can meet and relax. Most members are top athletes from the University of Oxford. These athletes are known as Oxford Blues.
Contents
Club History
Vincent's Club started in 1863. It was founded by a rower named Walter Bradford Woodgate. He was from Brasenose College, Oxford and became the club's first leader. Walter wanted a club for the best students at the university. He looked for people who were good at sports, smart, and friendly.
The club quickly became very well-known and respected. People saw it as the most important social club at the university. Being a member was like getting a special award from the students themselves. It showed you were successful and deserving.
Many famous people have been part of Vinnie's. Roger Bannister, who was the club's president in 1950, celebrated there. He had just run the world's first four-minute mile in 1954. Even The Beatles visited the club in 1964!
Who Can Join?
From the very beginning, most members of Vincent's Club have been sportspeople. This is because the founder, Walter Woodgate, loved sports. But you don't have to be an athlete to join. Getting a "Blue" (a top sports award) doesn't automatically make you a member.
The club used to have only 100 members. But as the university grew, so did the club. To become a member, you must be a student at Oxford University when you are chosen. Once you're in, you stay a member for life. In 2016, the club changed its rules so that women could also become members.
The Clubhouse
The club first started in old reading rooms. These rooms were once owned by a printer named J. H. Vincent. That's where the club got its name! For many years, it moved to different spots on High Street.
Since 1931, the club has been at 1A King Edward Street. It's located upstairs above a shop called Shepherd & Woodward. This is right in the center of Oxford. The clubhouse was completely updated in 2014. It now has a bar, a comfy lounge area, a dining room, and a meeting room.
Club Style
Members of Vincent's Club can wear a special club tie. It's dark blue with a white crown design. They can also wear a small silver crown pin on their jacket. The club tie was first used in 1926. It's very famous and is seen as a way to be recognized around the world.
Famous Members
Many important people have been members of Vincent's Club. Here are some of them:
Royalty
- King Edward VII of the United Kingdom
- King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
- King Harald V of Norway, a world champion sailor
- King Olav V of Norway, who won an Olympic Gold medal in 1928
- Emperor Naruhito of Japan (Honorary Member)
Leaders and Public Servants
- Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia
- Alec Douglas-Home, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia
- John Gorton, former Prime Minister of Australia
- Harold Macmillan, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Honorary Member)
- Cecil Rhodes, former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony
- Earl of Roseberry, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Bill Bradley, a famous NBA player and US Senator
- Lord Desborough, a Member of Parliament and leader of sports groups
- Lord Curzon, who was in charge of India and a UK Foreign Secretary
- Lord Porritt, an Olympic medalist and Governor-General of New Zealand
- William Stevenson, an Olympic Gold medalist and US ambassador
Military Heroes
- Noel Chavasse, an Olympic athlete and twice winner of the Victoria Cross, a top military award
- Pete Dawkins, a US Army general and business leader
- James Glancy, a Royal Marines officer and winner of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
- Jock Lewes, who helped start the Special Air Service (SAS)
- Sir Tommy Macpherson, who won three Military Crosses
- Arnold Strode-Jackson, an Olympic Gold medalist and British Army general
- Richard Wakeford VC, winner of the Victoria Cross
- Geoffrey Woolley VC, winner of the Victoria Cross
Writers and Artists
- Lord Jeffrey Archer, a famous novelist
- John Buchan, an author and Governor General of Canada
- John Galsworthy, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature
- Kris Kristofferson, a Grammy Award-winning singer and Golden Globe-winning actor
Media Personalities
- James Allen, a journalist who covers Formula 1 racing
- Walter Isaacson, an author and former head of CNN and Time magazine
- Norris McWhirter, who helped create Guinness World Records
- Ross McWhirter, who also helped create Guinness World Records
- Dan Snow, a well-known historian and TV presenter
Sports Stars
- Sir Roger Bannister, the first person to run a sub-4-minute mile
- Bernard Bosanquet, an international cricketer who invented the "googly" bowling style
- Charles Burnell, Olympic Gold medalist in 1908
- Richard Burnell, Olympic Gold medalist in 1948
- Christopher Chataway, a famous athlete and politician
- Colin Cowdrey, a top England cricket international
- Hugh "Jumbo" Edwards, who won two Olympic Golds in 1932
- Mark Evans, Olympic Gold medalist in 1984
- Mike Evans, Olympic Gold medalist in 1984
- R. E. Foster, who captained England in both cricket and football
- C. B. Fry, an England cricket and football international, and a world record holder in the long jump
- David Hemery, Olympic Gold medalist in 1968
- Malcolm Howard, Olympic Gold medalist in 2008
- Douglas Jardine, former England cricket captain
- Abdul Kardar, the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team
- David Kirk, captain of the All Blacks and winner of the 1987 Rugby World Cup
- Constantine Louloudis, Olympic Gold medalist in 2016
- Jack Lovelock, Olympic Gold medalist in 1936
- Tiger Pataudi, former India cricket captain
- Matthew Pinsent, who won four Olympic Gold medals in rowing (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)
- Pete Reed, who won three Olympic Golds in rowing (2008, 2012, 2016)
- Joe Roff, an Australian rugby international and World Cup winner
- Bevil Rudd, Olympic Gold medalist in 1920
- Richard Sharp, former England rugby captain
- M. J. K. Smith, former England cricket captain and rugby international
- Davis Tarwater, Olympic Gold medalist in 2012
- Victor Ubogu, an England rugby international
See also
- Hawks' Club, a similar club for sportsmen at the University of Cambridge
- University Pitt Club, another private club for students at the University of Cambridge
- The Gridiron Club, a dining club for students at the University of Oxford
