Vincent's Club, popularly known as Vinnie's, is a private members' club in
Oxford. The club's membership consists predominantly, but not exclusively, of sporting
blues of the
University of Oxford.[1]
History
Vincent's Club was founded in 1863 by oarsman
Walter Bradford Woodgate[2] of
Brasenose College, Oxford, who became the first president of the club.[3] Dissatisfied with the permissive admission policies and lack of refreshments at the
Oxford Union,[3][4] Woodgate established his own club and stated that it "should consist of the picked hundred of the University, selected for all-round qualities; social, physical and intellectual qualities being duly considered."[5]
Vincent's Club quickly gained considerable prestige, which it enjoys to this day.[6]J.S.G. Pemberton regarded it as "the premier Social Club of the University",[7] while in 1894
The Isis could describe Vincent's as "a sacred Temple ... to those whom, by virtue of themselves, their athletic powers, and their social and general good-fellowship, a grateful University delighteth to honour", with membership considered to be "the diploma which the University of Undergraduates grants in due season to her most successful and deserving sons".[8]
From the club's foundation, influenced by Woodgate's own sporting interests, the membership has been dominated by sportspeople. However, there has never been a sporting qualification for membership and membership does not accompany a
Blue.[12] The club was originally limited to only 100 resident members, but as the university has expanded, so too has the club.[13]
Members must be enrolled at the University of Oxford at the time of their election, but remain members for life.[13] The club's constitution was amended to enable the admission of women as members on 9 March 2016.[14]
Clubhouse
The club was originally located in the old reading rooms which J. H. Vincent, a printer, had previously kept at 90
High Street.[15] Between 1894 and 1931, the club occupied premises at 6-7 High Street.[16]
Since 1931, the club has been located at 1A King Edward Street, in upstairs premises above
Shepherd & Woodward on the High Street in central Oxford. Completely refurbished in 2014,[17] the club's facilities include a bar, lounge area, dining room, conference room, kitchen and administrative offices.[18]
Club regalia
Vincent’s members are entitled to wear the club tie, which is dark blue with a white crown motif, or a silver crown lapel pin. The club tie, adopted in 1926,[4] is particularly renowned and was regarded by
J.C. Masterman as "a sort of passport all over the English-speaking world".[13]
^J. S. G. Pemberton, 'The social life', in J. Wells (ed.), Oxford and Oxford Life (1892), 91
^M. C. Curthoys, M. G. Brock (eds.). The History of the University of Oxford: Volume VII: Nineteenth-Century Oxford, Part 2. (2000). United Kingdom: Clarendon Press. 536.
^Bannister, Roger (2015). Twin Tracks: The Autobiography. The Robson Press.
ISBN9781849548366.
^Razzall, Tim (2014). Chance Encounters: Tales from a Varied Life. Biteback Publishing.
ISBN9781849548205.
Vincent's Club, popularly known as Vinnie's, is a private members' club in
Oxford. The club's membership consists predominantly, but not exclusively, of sporting
blues of the
University of Oxford.[1]
History
Vincent's Club was founded in 1863 by oarsman
Walter Bradford Woodgate[2] of
Brasenose College, Oxford, who became the first president of the club.[3] Dissatisfied with the permissive admission policies and lack of refreshments at the
Oxford Union,[3][4] Woodgate established his own club and stated that it "should consist of the picked hundred of the University, selected for all-round qualities; social, physical and intellectual qualities being duly considered."[5]
Vincent's Club quickly gained considerable prestige, which it enjoys to this day.[6]J.S.G. Pemberton regarded it as "the premier Social Club of the University",[7] while in 1894
The Isis could describe Vincent's as "a sacred Temple ... to those whom, by virtue of themselves, their athletic powers, and their social and general good-fellowship, a grateful University delighteth to honour", with membership considered to be "the diploma which the University of Undergraduates grants in due season to her most successful and deserving sons".[8]
From the club's foundation, influenced by Woodgate's own sporting interests, the membership has been dominated by sportspeople. However, there has never been a sporting qualification for membership and membership does not accompany a
Blue.[12] The club was originally limited to only 100 resident members, but as the university has expanded, so too has the club.[13]
Members must be enrolled at the University of Oxford at the time of their election, but remain members for life.[13] The club's constitution was amended to enable the admission of women as members on 9 March 2016.[14]
Clubhouse
The club was originally located in the old reading rooms which J. H. Vincent, a printer, had previously kept at 90
High Street.[15] Between 1894 and 1931, the club occupied premises at 6-7 High Street.[16]
Since 1931, the club has been located at 1A King Edward Street, in upstairs premises above
Shepherd & Woodward on the High Street in central Oxford. Completely refurbished in 2014,[17] the club's facilities include a bar, lounge area, dining room, conference room, kitchen and administrative offices.[18]
Club regalia
Vincent’s members are entitled to wear the club tie, which is dark blue with a white crown motif, or a silver crown lapel pin. The club tie, adopted in 1926,[4] is particularly renowned and was regarded by
J.C. Masterman as "a sort of passport all over the English-speaking world".[13]
^J. S. G. Pemberton, 'The social life', in J. Wells (ed.), Oxford and Oxford Life (1892), 91
^M. C. Curthoys, M. G. Brock (eds.). The History of the University of Oxford: Volume VII: Nineteenth-Century Oxford, Part 2. (2000). United Kingdom: Clarendon Press. 536.
^Bannister, Roger (2015). Twin Tracks: The Autobiography. The Robson Press.
ISBN9781849548366.
^Razzall, Tim (2014). Chance Encounters: Tales from a Varied Life. Biteback Publishing.
ISBN9781849548205.