April 2020 update

Vincent’s Club e-News
April 2020

 

News from the Club and its members

 

 

Vincent’s Club President, Hannah Danbury, her new committee, and the Board of VATC trust you and yours are safe and well.

Hannah herself caught the virus shortly after the last e-News but is now back at work as a Medic. To her and all Vincent’s members who are helping combat COVID-19, we want to say thank you, and take care!

 

 

 

 News from Members

Medicine, Lacrosse and COVID-19

Zoe Thursz
2017, Green Templeton, Lacrosse
Vincent’s Adrian Mee Team Award Scholar

As final year medical students, the last few months of our degree, after we sit finals in January, are meant to be the best months of university. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to go away on the first half of my elective to Ethiopia during February and squeeze in a few days of lacrosse once I returned. However, just a few days later, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Instead of planning another 5 weeks’ placement abroad, playing a lacrosse test series against Wales, Scotland and Japan, and spending sunny days on Port Meadow, I found myself preparing to start work as a doctor much sooner than anticipated.

I have been working on a ‘voluntary’ basis in the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford for 4 weeks, quickly learning the ropes of how to be a junior doctor on an acute medical ward, whilst each day seeing more and more patients admitted with COVID-19. Members of staff have been redeployed from around the hospital to ensure all patients receive the best possible care. An important part of my role on the team has been helping to update the relatives of patients, as with visiting not currently allowed it is crucial to keep loved ones informed.

Outside of the hospital I have been adjusting to a sudden off season, with all remaining training, fixtures and tours cancelled, whilst learning how to train effectively using the limited equipment available at home.

In the last week I have had my graduation ‘in absentia’ and been granted a licence to practise. Now I am continuing to volunteer in the JR and will imminently begin work as a junior doctor. Starting a career in healthcare during such an unusual period for the country has been a steep learning curve. However, it has been amazing to see the camaraderie and teamwork of my NHS colleagues, and the support of the general public. It feels a privilege to be part of the response as we continue to work to help those affected by the virus.

 

 

 

 News from Members

Who’s in charge around here?

Andy Hobart
VATC Alumni Director
Exeter, Club President 1982-83, Rugby Union

Vincent’s Club members are leading the country’s response to COVID-19.  This is either reassuring, or faintly alarming … I’ll let you be the judge of that!

Dominic Raab is currently in charge.  He is the temporary replacement for Boris Johnson, who, much like his recent experience with coronavirus went through a very sticky moment when, as the main speaker at the Vincent’s Dinner in 2000, before winning over a rowdy audience, he had to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat!  Dominic (elected to Vincent’s 1995, LMH) was a boxer, captained the Karate team, and is likely to need to go several more rounds before he hands back the reins to the PM.

The leader of the army of Whitehall Mandarins and civil servants (of which I am one) that is charged with providing Ministers and the government with advice that is impartial, objective, and honest, is Sir Mark Sedwill.  Mark (elected to Vincent’s 1988, SEH) clearly enjoyed his sport at Oxford listing rugby union, athletics and hockey amongst his interests.  This is a man who has been the British Ambassador to Afghanistan and the National Security Adviser, so he is used to handling tricky situations.

5 weeks ago in mid-March I was at the annual Vincent’s Presidents’ Dinner in the Clubhouse to welcome Hannah Danbury as our new President.  Since then I don’t think I have in my career experienced anything like the pace of the last month, as one major challenge after another has come at us!  In the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, where I sit, we are in the middle of some very public issues; e.g. the shielding programme to support 1.5m people who have to stay at home, supplying PPE to care homes, business rates cuts, decisions around social distancing, and more.

If I’m totally frank it has been very tiring, hugely demanding, stressful, and traumatic, as we are all very conscious of the consequences of the decisions we have to take. However, it also feels worthwhile, incredibly important to try to do well, and like Zoe I feel privileged to be able to try to help.

Oh, and to answer the question I posed at the start – I think it is extremely reassuring to know that a couple of Vinnies men are in charge!

 

Sir Mark Sedwill pictured with then VATC Chairman, Melville Guest, when he was guest of an honour at a Club Speaker’s Evening in February 2018.

 

 

 

 Club History
Prince Alexander Obolensky

By Simon Lee, Professor of Law, Open University, & Emeritus Professor of Jurisprudence, Queen’s University, Belfast, and author of Vincent’s 1863-2013

As it was the 80th anniversary on 29th March of the death of Vincent’s rugby winger, Alexander Obolensky, many readers of Blues News will have seen some familiar stories repeated in the media. We are almost all aware of his tries against the All Blacks for Oxford and England, his champagne rugby and lifestyle, his sharp exchange with the Prince of Wales (also a Vincent’s member) in the line-up at Twickenham, and his tragic death in a RAF training accident in 1940. When given the honour of writing the official history of Vincent’s first 150 years, however, I was asked to seek out less well-known aspects of the lives of our heroes. Here are my two favourites.

First, David Frost’s magisterial history of varsity rugby records that Obolensky, a noted schoolboy sprinter, ‘used to have coffee most mornings at Elmer Cotton’s sports shop in The Turl, demanding ever lighter and thinner boots. The Cotton family did their best to meet these demands, but Obolensky’s boots were often so delicately made that they would split in the course of a match.’ Elmer Cotton’s has now left the Turl, sadly, but I love this example of bespoke customer service and of the delicate balance between lightness of touch and endurance or resilience.

Second, as my interests extend beyond sporting history and my day job in law to other influences on life such as diverse faiths and beliefs, I knew that Obolensky had written an essay in a book on religion by Oxford students, edited by Keith Briant & George Joseph, in 1936, called
Be Still and Know: Oxford in Search of God.
1935-6 was also Obolensky’s hey-day as a rugby genius. After a long search, I acquired a copy of this book. There is one especially memorable line which will appeal to traditionalists in any sphere of life. Obolensky had become accustomed to being asked why he was an Orthodox Christian, particularly given his unorthodox beliefs and lifestyle.
His answer was that, ‘what has been good for ten centuries of Obolenskys is still good enough for me’.

Simon has also drawn our attention to the sale of a most remarkable scrapbook of the only man to be awarded two Victoria Crosses in the First World War.

Captain Noel Chavasse served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He and his twin brother were both members of Vincent’s. Simon featured them in his Vincent’s Vignettes in the summer edition of Blues News 2017 (below). The article may be read on P.2 of the News archive on the Club website: http://vincents.org/news/page/2/

The sale of the scrapbook may be read about in this feature in the Mail Online:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8203999/Poignant-childhood-scrapbook-discovered-119-years.html

 

 

 

 

Club News

The staff, who are on furlough, send their best wishes to all resident and alumni members.

Tom, the Steward, reports that in order to survive quarantine he is cleaning for England: “Most days I find myself cleaning, nothing ever seems to stay clean and tidy when you and your partner spend every waking hour trapped inside the same four walls!”

He is also walking a lot, “sometimes stopping outside a pub I like and imagining myself having a nice cold beer with my friends,” and points out that “the Queen forgot to say in her speech, ‘We will go to the Club again!'”

Like many of us he is gardening “in what was once our jungle of a garden, but I am now looking forward to harvesting the fruits of my labour when, hopefully, my crops are ready to pick!”

Tom has also signed up for Volunteer work with Oxford Mutual Aid which mainly involves dropping food parcels off to those who are self-isolating.

Not to be outdone by Gonzo or Andy he has created a Quaran-Tini cocktail and is also making freshly baked bread! “I do hope you are all keeping well and look forward to welcoming you all back at the Club!

—–

Gonzo reckoned you would all like to be reminded how to make a pint of Pinky:
100ml gin, 25ml grenadine, ice to taste, top up with orange juice.

But he has been drinking his favourite cocktail, the Mojito:
50ml rum, 25ml lime juice, 20ml sugar syrup, 8 mint leaves, top up with soda and ice.

—–

And Andy hopes you had a good Easter and perhaps had one of his favourite dishes from the Vincent’s dinner menu:
Marinated Lamb rump with mint and red wine jus. Gratin Potatoes, baton carrots and pea puree!

If you are missing the best selling lunchtime dish of Peri Peri Chicken, this is how to make it:

The secret of keeping the chicken moist is to double cook it, first by poaching in stock, then by baking at a high temperature.
For 4: Poach two small chicken, halved and butterflied, in lightly salted chicken stock until tender. Put the chicken into already simmering stock, and simmer do not boil. Cool in the stock, then refrigerate for a maximum of two days.

Make a marinade by putting 150 ml olive oil and 75ml white wine vinegar in a pan and bring to a simmer. Add 3 roughly chopped garlic cloves, 1 seeded and roughly chopped red bell pepper, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 1 rounded tablespoon dried oregano, 3 chopped and seeded bird’s eye chillies, 2 chopped and seeded red chillies. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Cool, then puree in a blender until smooth.

Marinate the cooled chicken halves in half the marinade for at least 3 hours in a fridge, up to 12 hours is fine. When ready, cook the chicken in a hot oven (190C) for about 40 minutes, then turn the heat down to avoid burning, but always ensure the chicken is hot all the way through before serving.
Serve with the heated extra sauce on top!

—–

The Club committee and the Board of VATC thank you for your support at this time. The Club is managing but it goes without saying that without donations from you, the alumni, we would be in an even more precarious position. If you do not yet make a regular gift to Vincent’s there is no better time to start. Details may be found here: Vincents.org/fundraising/

Thank you!

 

 

On the positive side!

Vincent’s has over 5,000 alumni members world wide. Another member cannot be far from you! If you need help, are worried, or can offer help to another member, in any way at all, please let me know and I will do my best to put members in touch with each other.
bursar@vincents.org

Other ideas:

  • If you have not bought a copy already why not email me and order a copy of the Club History?
  • Why not use some spare time to access the website Vincents.org  and even fill in and scan the Update form back to me?
  • If you do have time on your hands why not register online and try to find other members that way? Email webmaster@vincents.org to ask for a password to access the Alumni register.
  • If you have any stories, anecdotes, or recollections which you’d like recorded for posterity, and possibly shared with other members in Blues News or these emails, please email them to me.
  • We would also be very keen to receive photographs of your Club memorabilia in order to create an online archive, and share with others.

Take care and thank you!
Simon

Link

Website

 

 

The excellent Club History: “Vincent’s: 1863-2013” may be ordered from the administrator.

 Please keep us informed of changes of address, business and email.

Have you looked at the website recently? Activate your details on the online register at http://vincents.org/

 Vincent’s Club seeks to maintain a lifelong association with its Members. Your data are held securely in the Club’s database under the provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998). Unless you have requested otherwise, the data will only be used by Vincent’s Club, VATC, and the University of Oxford for educational, fundraising and social activities. It will not be passed to a third party. We want to ensure that we keep the details we hold about you up to date and communicate with you fully in accordance with your wishes.

Please fill in and return the data and communications form available here: http://vincents.org/gifts/

 If at any time your details change, you wish to alter the way your data are held and used, or you wish to be removed from our communications, please contact us: bursar@vincents.org

For the full University data protection policy please see: https://compliance.admin.ox.ac.uk/

Charitable Status of Vincent’s.
Our Charity number is 1117802.
Our HMRC Registration Number is XT2799.W

To make a donation on line see: https://www.development.ox.ac.uk/sport/clubs/vincents

To unsubscribe from this list please email: bursar@vincents.org

e-News March 2020

Vincent’s Club e-News
March 2020

The Club and COVID-19

The new President of Vincent’s Club, Hannah Danbury, her committee and the Board of VATC hope that you and your families are well and send you their very best wishes in these extraordinary times.

Hannah herself is a Medic, as are so many Vincent’s members, resident and alumni, and to them, and all Members who one way or another are helping combat COVID-19, we want to say thank you, and take care!

In this brief email we introduce Hannah, give news of the Club’s response to C-19, and make a few suggestions for the future.

Dear Members of Vincent’s,

It is an honour to have been elected as the new President of Vincent’s Club. The Club has been a home for me amid the hectic life of a medic at Oxford ever since I was made a member back in early 2018.

Vincent’s ability to defy the boundaries of colleges and sports teams has meant it remains at the heart of sporting excellence at Oxford. The Club also creates a unique bonding of camaraderie and friendship, and it is my mission to protect and further develop these qualities throughout my year as President.

I have sat on the Club committee for the last two years, firstly without portfolio, and then as events secretary this last year. This, along with many years on the committee of the University netball club will, I believe, stand me in good stead to lead your Club.

It is my aim to continue work on widening the number of sports clubs from which we elect the membership, and increasing both the overall number of resident members, and the number of women elected, so the ratio of male and female members reaches parity.

However, I take over the role in some of the most uncertain times many of us can remember, and there will be many challenges as we attempt to navigate the Club through uncharted waters. I have every faith that we will be successful, especially with the support of our VATC directors and alumni members.

It is already apparent from the work done on the risk assessments and cash flow, that your monthly and annual donations will prove vital to Vincent’s survival. The increase in these gifts over the past few years has put the Club on a much sounder footing, and to all alumni who regularly give I have to say we are eternally grateful.

Thank you for all your assistance. I hope to get the chance to meet many of you during this year, and trust that we may get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Hannah Danbury.
Vincent’s Club President, 2020-21
Oxford University Netball Club,
Worcester College, Medicine

 News of the Club

The Club closed on the 17th March, partly as a result of our own risk assessments and partly on the advice of the University. Later that week the Government called for the closure of all pubs and clubs.

The Club committee is in touch with resident members and where possible is offering help and support. VATC and the staff have responded rapidly to try to secure the financial well-being of the Club in the face of all trading income ceasing for perhaps six months. The University does not expect to have many students back for Trinity term as teaching and exams will most likely be done online. It also looks like all sport will be called off, just as the Boat Race and Henley Royal Regatta have been already. Sadly, the annual Summer Cocktail party has also had to be cancelled. We have lost all external bookings for dinners and conferences.

Actions taken:

  • Set up a small group of VATC directors to monitor the situation regularly, especially risk assessments and the cash flow forecast
  • Furloughed our full-time staff
  • Are following up on other aspects of government assistance for small hospitality businesses
  • Cut all unnecessary expenditure
It goes without saying that without donations from you, the alumni, we would be in an even more precarious position. Thank you for your support. If you do not yet make a regular gift to Vincent’s there is no better time to start! Details may be found here: Vincents.org/fundraising/

Thank you!

On the positive side!

Vincent’s has over 5,000 alumni members world wide. Another member cannot be far from you! If you need help, are worried, or can offer help to another member, in any way at all, please let me know and I will do my best to put members in touch with each other.
bursar@vincents.org

Other ideas:

  • If you have not bought a copy already why not email me and order a copy of the Club History?
  • Why not use some spare time to access the website Vincents.org  and even fill in and scan the Update form back to me?
  • If you do have time on your hands why not register online and try to find other members that way? Email webmaster@vincents.org to ask for a password to access the Alumni register.
  • If you have any stories, anecdotes, or recollections which you’d like recorded for posterity, and possibly shared with other members in Blues News or these emails, please email them to me.
  • We would also be very keen to receive photographs of your Club memorabilia in order to create an online archive, and share with others. You know who to email!
Take care and thank you!
Simon
Link
Website

The excellent Club History: “Vincent’s: 1863-2013” may be ordered from the administrator.
Please keep us informed of changes of address, business and email.

Have you looked at the website recently? Activate your details on the online register at http://vincents.org/
Vincent’s Club seeks to maintain a lifelong association with its Members. Your data are held securely in the Club’s database under the provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998). Unless you have requested otherwise, the data will only be used by Vincent’s Club, VATC, and the University of Oxford for educational, fundraising and social activities. It will not be passed to a third party. We want to ensure that we keep the details we hold about you up to date and communicate with you fully in accordance with your wishes.

Please fill in and return the data and communications form available here: http://vincents.org/gifts/

If at any time your details change, you wish to alter the way your data are held and used, or you wish to be removed from our communications, please contact us: bursar@vincents.org

For the full University data protection policy please see: https://compliance.admin.ox.ac.uk/

 

Charitable Status of Vincent’s.
Our Charity number is 1117802.
Our HMRC Registration Number is XT2799.W

 

To make a donation on line see: https://www.development.ox.ac.uk/sport/clubs/vincents

To unsubscribe from this list please email: bursar@vincents.org

Vincent’s Club Membership Survey 2020

The Club has recently emailed to the resident and alumni membership of Vincent’s a simple online  survey, the purpose of which is to help the VATC directors understand your attitudes to the Club and its current priorities.

Over five hundred members have kindly responded, which is a tremendous number. Thank you!

If you have not already completed the survey please do. It only takes a couple of minutes and will greatly help the directors in continuing to try to improve Vincent’s for all members. Please follow this link.

June 2019

Vincent’s Club e-News, June 2019

Please see below for the Club’s news and events:

a) 13 June: Vincent’s Golf Day at Huntercombe (last call!)
b) 15 June: Vincent’s & Atalanta’s Cocktails and Ian Williams memorial match
c) 25 June: Oriental Club, London, welcome reception
d) 26 June: Vincent’s Speaker’s Evening and Wine-tasting
e) 5 July: Vincent’s Picnic at Henley Regatta
f) 4 September: Vincent’s Celebration of Sport Dinner in London
g) 13 November: Major Stanley’s Match and Vincent’s Alumni Gathering

Did you receive your email regarding the Annual Report? if not see:
http://vincents.org/about/the-annual-report/

NEWS
Vincent’s Club New President

Harry Fitzpatrick was elected Vincent’s Club President for 2019-20
at the end of Hilary Term. Harry has won three Golf Blues, is the current President of OUGC, and is now in his 3rd year of Chemistry at University College. He was made a member of Vincent’s in Trinity term of his first year, and was the Food and Bar Rep. on the committee last year.

Vincent’s Club Members will wish to congratulate the new Emperor of Japan, Emperor Naruhito. An Honorary Member of the Club since 1984, he acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito.
The Hon. Bob Hawke speaking at the Vincent’s 150th Anniversary
Dinner in Sydney. Credit: Maxyphoto
The Club would like to pay tribute to one of its most famous Members,
The Hon. Bob Hawke, Prime Minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991,
who sadly passed away on May 16th.

A Rhodes Scholar at University College from 1954 to 1956, Bob Hawke was the Guest of Honour at the Club Dinner in 1992. On the back of his presence, and with Sir Colin Cowdrey in the Chair, the attendance that year topped 400 and in between delivering a typically funny and rambunctious speech Hawke also led and conducted a spontaneous rendition of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ by the whole room.

He was a regular all-rounder for the Blues and Authentics, but achieved lasting famefrom this period by entering the Guinness Book of Records for downing a Yard of Ale in 11 seconds. The fact that this took place at Vincent’s is well attested – themeretricious bid for this honour by the advertising boards outside the Turf Tavern is discredited by claiming 1963 as the year of the feat!

Amongst many prominent Australians paying tribute to Hawke in recent days was fellow Vincent’s Member Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister from 2013 to 2015.
Reg Clark

EVENTS

LAST CALL

Late entries welcome for this year’s

 Vincent’s Golf Day at Huntercombe on Thursday 13th June

 

Please contact: Chris Atkinson at chrisatkinson565@btinternet.com

Vincent’s and Atalanta’s Summer Cocktails

Saturday 15 June. Opens 5:00 PM at Oxford University Rugby Club

Ever popular and not to be missed! Book at: https://fixr.co/event/544437254
Ian Williams Memorial Match
at Iffley Road before Summer Cocktails

Following the Inaugural Ian ‘BGI’ Williams Memorial Match last year, which saw them succumb to a 30-man-strong Dark Blue side, Swansea alumni return to Iffley Road this year to settle the score…

Ian Williams was a professional rugby player who sadly passed away in February 2018 whilst training with Doncaster Knights.  After graduating from Swansea, Ian continued postgraduate studies at Oxford University winning three Blues and becoming a member of Vincent’s Club. He is pictured above scoring in the Varsity Match.
 

His two alma mater do battle once again as a precursor to the Vincent’s & Atalanta’s Summer Cocktails on Saturday 15th June 2019. It promises to be a game full of pride and passion, so clear your diaries and head down to Iffley Road for what guarantees to be a cracking day. 

 

For more information please see the event details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2219604554729439/ 

For more information on Ian’s story please see www.theianwilliamsfoundation.org 

Vincent’s & Atalanta’s Clubs have kindly been invited by theOriental Club (above) to enjoy a drinks and canapes reception
on Tuesday 25th June from 6.30pm to 8pm. Dress is smart casual (no jeans or sports clothes). Alumni Member Stephen Plunkett will speak. The event will take place in the Hill Station Bar & Grill in the Club’s Courtyard.  The Oriental Club would like to encourage all recent leavers and alumni members to consider to apply for membership.  Please email v150admin@vincents.org to book your place. More details about becoming a member  of the Oriental Club will be on the website soon
Speaker’s Dinner
26th June 2019 at the Club, from 6.30pm

Alumni member Philip Weaver (1978, Pembroke, Athletics) has generously offered to present wines and port from his wife Sophia’s family vineyard, Quinta del Rosa: https://www.quintadelarosa.com/content/tourism (Above) There will be a Portuguese themed three course meal and 6 wines/ports to taste. Cost: £35 alumni members, £27.50 resident members. Please email Tom Smith directly to book: steward@vincents.org.uk 

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA PICNIC
Vincent’s be holding its usual picnic lunch in the Cricket Club Carpark on the
Friday (5th July) of the Henley Royal Regatta 2019.

 

The cost of the informal lunch for you and your guests will be £22.50 per person.
The picnic will include plenty of sandwiches, cheese, savoury and sweet nibbles,
Pimms, wine and soft drinks.

Please contact v150admin@vincents.org for more information and to book

VINCENT’S CELEBRATION of SPORT DINNER 2019
SAVE THE DATE

All Vincent’s members, their spouses, partners, and guests, are cordially invited to the 2019 Vincent’s Club Dinner which will be held in the magnificent Merchant Taylor’s Hall,
30 Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8JB, 
on Wednesday 4th September 2019.

The Dinner Chairman is Dr David Hemery, CBE, (St. Catherine’s, 1969, Olympic and Commonwealth Gold medallist and Superstars winner) who will introduce The Right Honourable Lord Coe, CH, KBE. (Seb Coe is himself a multiple Gold medal winner and is currently President of the IAAF)

The Club is holding a dinner in September as this year is the 150th Anniversary of OURFC who will be holding a celebration the night before the Rugby Varsity match in December. In addition, Vincent’s is taking the opportunity to allow the focus to be on other sports, including athletics. The ideal table size is ten, and members booking a whole table will receive a discount.

Whilst the primary aim of this Celebration of Sport dinner is to have an evening of good fellowship with both members and guests, the Club also wishes to build on the remarkable success of the New York dinner in March, and encourage members to support their Club, in particular by contributing towards endowing the Bannister Awards to assist outstanding Oxford sportsmen and women. The Club is proud that the Vincent’s Awards are the largest block of funding open to scholar-athletes competing in officially registered sports at Oxford University.

Following the death of former Vincent’s President Sir Roger Bannister, and with the encouragement of his family, the club is seeking to raise capital for the Sports Development Fund to endow at least one new major Bannister Award.

Booking details are available on our events page.

The Oriental Club Reception

The Oriental Club has kindly invited ALL alumni, but especially recent alumni from Vincent’s and Atalanta’s for drinks and canapés at the Oriental Club on Tuesday 25th June from 6.30pm to 8pm. Dress is smart casual (no jeans or sports clothes). Alumni member Stephen Plunkett (1975, The Queen’s College, Rowing) will speak.

The Oriental Club is keen to develop a relationship with both clubs and this will be the first of a number of events which we hope will cement a long-standing relationship between our clubs.

There is no charge for this event, but all those wishing to attend need to register by returning this form to Simon Offen at V150admin@vincents.org. Please also contact him for any further information. You may not gain entry to the event if you are not on the guest list.

The kind invitation is available here.

A Vincent’s Club and Oxford University Celebration of Sport

Vincent’s is joining with the University to hold a dinner in New York in order to raise funds for the Club, Vincent’s Awards, and University needs such as the redevelopment of Iffley Road and coaching positions.
 

During his last visit to the Club Sir Roger helped by appealing for support for the Awards Programme which he himself did much to promote.


 

 

Sir Roger’s widow, Lady Moyra, and the family, are supportive of the Club’s aspiration to create two “Sir Roger Bannister Awards.” Vincent’s aim is to raise an endowment of £0.5m, which will produce two annual awards of £10k, thus of sufficient value to attract excellent sportsmen and women to apply to Oxford.

 

SAVE THE DATE:
 
Thursday 7th March 2019

The New York Athletic Club, NYC.

 

Further information will be sent out in October, when booking will open.

Vincent’s Club News May 2018

News and events for Trinity Term and the Summer

Also:
Notice of the 2018 Annual Dinner & Rugby Varsity Match

Save the date for a USA Dinner in New York, March 2019

——————————-

If you have not already filled in an Update form to comply with new GDPR regulations please do so now by downloading one here

Sir Roger Bannister CH CBE (23 March 1929 – 3 March 2018)

Club news recently has been dominated by the death of Sir Roger Bannister, President in 1950. Sir Roger was a great supporter of the Vincent’s Awards in particular. There will be a proper tribute to Sir Roger in the forthcoming Blues News, along with an appreciation of Clive van Ryneveld, one of the greatest all-round sportsmen produced by South Africa.

Speaker’s Dinner
Clever Magic from an Oxford Magician

“a sparkling blend of wit and illusion…”

 

Johnny Oxford (John Hayns) has a degree from St John’s College, Oxford, and is proud to be an Associate of The Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, and a Member of the Council of The Magic Circle.

 

He lives in Oxford, is the husband of the Christ Church Chaplain, and is delighted to entertain members of Vincent’s over dinner on the
Thursday of 5th Week, 24th May.

 

Cash bar from 6.30, supper at 7.30, performance and Q&A from 8.30, finish by 10pm. £35 for alumni members, £25 for residents, to include some wine with the meal. Please book directly with Tom, the Steward. Payment is needed in advance. steward@vincents.org

 Vincent’s & Atalanta’s Cocktails

The annual garden party is on Saturday 9th June, from 6-9pm in the University Parks, Oxford.

What better way is there to spend a June evening than drinking Pimm’s and Pinkies, nibbling canapés, and listening to Jazz in the blazing sunshine of an Oxford summer?!

The dress code is smart. Blues blazers encouraged. Photographs for resident members of Vincent’s and Atalanta’s will take place at 5.30pm. Members of Vincent’s and Atalanta’s should show membership cards on the door.

Resident member: £25. Alumni member: £30. Guests: £32. (Plus booking fees)
FB event: https: //www.facebook.com/events/319318908596756/
Fixr ticket link: https://fixr.co/event/211769127
Any questions should be directed to either bursar@vincents.org orPresident@vincents.org

Security reserves the right to remove individuals from the event in the case of poor behaviour. Tickets will not be refunded.

All Alumni Club Members –  with golf handicaps from +4 to 24 – are warmly invited to:

The 2018 Vincent’s Golf Day, to be held at Huntercombe G.C. onThursday 14th June.

Details / Application via Chris Atkinson atchrisatkinson565@btinternet.com
OUCC & OUWCC
The following cricket fixtures may be of interest to Members. In particular we would love to see Vincent’s members at Lord’s for the one day match, and at the Parks for the four day match.Friday, 18th May:  OUCC v CUCC. 20/20 matches: Women, a.m. and Men, p.m.Wednesday, 23rd May: OUWCC v CUWCC. Cambridge.Friday, 22nd June: The One Day Varsity Matches at Lord’s.Vincent’s Club will be taking a box as usual. Contact bursar@vincents.org to reserve a place, and click here to download a booking form.

Monday to Thursday, 2nd – 5th July: OUCC v CUCC. The Four Day University Match.
There will be a marquee in the Parks for the Varsity match, organised by a local Club, and members are welcome to take tables of ten on any of the four days. The marquee will be open 10.30 to 18.30. The cost per ticket is £40.00, thus £400 per table. Contact bursar@vincents.org

The offer includes:
·       A welcome Glass of Pimms.
·       Cold Buffet: Fresh Salmon, Coronation Chicken, Vegetarian Flans.
Hot New Potatoes, selection of breads with butter.
Four Salads: Green, Potato, Tomato, and Coleslaw.
·       Desserts: Fresh Fruit Salad, Chocolate Roulade, Lemon Tart.
Coffee and Tea

·       Afternoon Tea with homemade Fruit Cake

·       There will be a cash bar with two red and two white wines, three real ales and soft drinks.

 Photo by Matt Henderson

Henley Royal Regatta Picnic

Friday 6th July: Vincent’s Club Henley Royal Regatta Picnic Lunch. 
Cricket Club Carpark, Henley. In the lunch break.
Contact bursar@vincents.org for information

Vincent’s Club: 1990’s Reunion Dinner

A reunion dinner for members of the Club, 1989-2000
on
Thursday September 27th 2018
at
Vincent’s Club, 1A King Edward Street, Oxford, OX1 4HS
Club opens at 6pm
Dress: Jacket and tie.

We aim to hold a get-together for a decade group annually, so that you have the chance of a gathering every seven years or so. This year it is the turn of members from the 1990’s to be invited and we have extended the years invited from 1989 to 2000 in the hope of catching everyone who would like to attend.

 

There will be a cash bar on arrival, and the four course menu, costing £55, includes half a bottle of wine with the meal, and a glass of port with coffee. Other drinks and extra wine will be available at the bar.

 

Please spread the word amongst your contemporaries, and let me know of anyone we have missed off the invitation list.

Photo of last year’s dinner for the 1980’s.

Future Events

This year’s Annual Dinner will take place on 
Wednesday, 5th December at the Inner Temple, London.

Vincent’s President, Sophie Taylor, invites you to join her from 7pm for drinks and a splendid three course meal with wines, coffee and port.
Dinner Chairman: Vic Marks
Speaker: Isabelle Westbury

———————————————-

The Varsity Rugby Matches will take place at
Twickenham, on Thursday, 6th December.

Why not start to organise your reunion group now?
There will be a special offer on hospitality boxes this year. 
Contact bursar@vincents.org to register an interest.

—————————————–

A special USA Members dinner will take place at
the New York Racquet and Tennis Club on Thursday, 7th March, 2019. 

More details to follow.

Vincent’s at the Varsity Match

Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must move faster than the lion or it will not survive. Every morning a lion wakes up and it knows it must move faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn’t matter if you are the lion or the gazelle, when the sun comes up, you better be moving.” Roger Bannister

Sport at Oxford is a unique experience. Combining academic rigour with exceptional performances in the sporting arena requires a special kind of dedication. In recognition of Oxford’s finest scholar-athletes, Vincent’s Club Awards provide financial assistance to the most talented sportsmen and sportswomen at the dreaming spires. In a series of Bluebird exclusives, we catch up with these lions and gazelles to learn a little more about what makes them tick.

The Annual Varsity Match is a staple of Oxbridge sport, having been first played in 1872. This was just a few months after the first ever international rugby match between England and Wales. Vincent’s Club is proud to be in a position to support the best athletes with their sporting ambitions at Varsity and internationally. In preparation for the big event on Thursday, we meet the two Rugby Vincent’s Award Holders, Conor Kearns and Will Wilson.

William Wilson

WILLIAM WILSON – VINCENT’S AWARD WINNER 2017-18

Our first scholar is the physically commanding Back Row for OURFC. One of two Vincent’s scholars to compete on the rugby pitch, Will previously was an academy player with Wasps. On top of this, he is a talented Sevens player, and has represented England both at an U20 level and in a senior capacity.

My aim is to win caps on the World Series for England during my last year at Oxford.

Playing for the Blues while at Oxford is Will’s immediate focus, however, with the Varsity match just a few days away.

Will combines his physical presence in the pack with a silky boot, being the reserve kicker for the 2016 Varsity Match. Not all forwards can boast such dexterity!

Will has demonstrated time and time again that he belongs with the best rugby players in Oxford. However, it has not been easy. Will has overcome a very serious injury, dedicating time in the gym to ensure that he can put on that jersey in front of the Twickenham crowd he adores so much.

Before I put my jersey on I always take a moment to look at the badge, and remind myself why I want to give all I can and the responsibility I hold.

This epitomises the commitment and pride that the Vincent’s Club Awards aim to recognise. Indeed, this financial support is hugely beneficial in keeping Will performing to the best of his ability.

The award is phenomenal for me, as it allows me the financial security to focus on rugby throughout the vacation periods

We look forward to seeing Will give his all on Thursday.

Conor Kearns

CONOR KEARNS – VINCENT’S AWARD WINNER 2017-18

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power, the greater it will be” Thomas Jefferson

These words hold great meaning for our second rugby scholar, the power behind OURFC this year, Conor Kearns.

Being at the centre of the action has never been a problem for Conor. A utility back, he is capable of playing any of Centre, Fly-Half or Fullback. This year’s OURFC Captain has the weight of Oxford’s hopes on his shoulders as he wears the number 10 shirt, hoping to lead the dark blues to victory.

Not that this bothers him. Conor is a remarkably approachable guy whose thirst for rugby knowledge and marginal gains mean that he really sets the standard for the team around him.

Indeed, on his Christmas list he’s got one item.

The Lions ‘behind the scenes’ DVD looks incredible!

Let’s hope the Blues can go one better than the Lions and beat their rivals.

Despite having toured with the USA U23 team, playing for Munster A and representing the USA U20 team at the Junior World Championships in 2013, Conor wears his Crown with great pride.

When asked what his greatest achievement is, he replies without hesitation.

Becoming captain of OURFC“.

Now this shows the degree to which Conor takes the role as OURFC captain seriously. The winter months have been brutal for the squad, but the team is in its final stages of preparation, ready for the big day on Thursday.

The Vincent’s scholars are expected to demonstrate sporting excellence, strength of character as well as active participation in expanding the reach of sport and using ones expertise for social causes. Interestingly, Conor has worked as an assistant coach to a team of players recently released from a detention centre. Giving these people a chance to play competitively, and imparting his knowledge to them, really helped Conor to use his wisdom.

The award is essential to maintaining Conor’s level of commitment both on and off the field.

The award is a massive help to my day to day life and ultimately facilitates in part my ability to study here at Oxford. I am truly grateful to Avery Broadbent and the Broadbent family for their generosity.

One thing is certain, these two will be right at the forefront of Thursday’s action. The Women’s game kicks off at 11:30, followed by the Men at 3:00 pm. It is without doubt one of the most impressive Varsity Match experiences and I’m sure that all athletes from both teams will be extremely grateful for an extra voice. Be sure that you look out for our scholars, Conor and Will.

The Vincent’s Awards

Due to generosity of alumni members and friends, Vincent’s Club is proud to support excellence in Oxford Sport.

Vincent’s Club distributes a total of around £30,000 per year to various outstanding scholar athletes.

The criteria extend beyond the arena of sporting endeavour. The successful applicants have demonstrated strength of character and leadership potential, as well as an interest in broadening participation and a commitment to helping those less fortunate.

A number of the award-holders have already represented their country at an international level, others have the potential to achieve great things in their respective sports.

It is our hope that these funds will continue to attract great athletes to Oxford to maintain and forward the high calibre of Oxford Sport.

To find out more please check out the award page, or if there are any further queries, then feel free to contact awards@vincents.org.