Prime Minister-to-be Alec Douglas-Home flew to meet Adolf Hitler in the company of Neville Chamberlain (“Peace in our time”) wearing a shirt borrowed from Brian Johnston – aka ‘Johnners’, later a legendary cricket commentator.

Both men – the British ones, I mean – were members of the Oxford sporting club Vincent’s and, as such, part of a significant elite within the university, then as now.

For the information about Home’s borrowed shirt in Munich I thank Simon Lee, author of a handsome history of the club published two years ago to mark its 150th anniversary.

Many intriguing links between people have been unearthed by Lee, including that between members Cecil Rhodes (see right) and the prime minister Lord Rosebery who went on to lead the trustees of the Rhodes Scholarships, which brought many Vincent’s men from abroad.

Rosebery famously combined sport with politics. During his brief premiership he had two Derby winners, Ladas in 1894 and Sir Visto in 1895. A third victory came in 1905, when he was long out of office.

Simon Lee recalls Rosebery’s memorable remark to a Downing Street official: “Politics and racing are inconsistent, which is a good reason to give up politics.”

Much to fascinate can be found in the book, including details on its bachelor founder Walter Bradman Woodgate, of Brasenose College.

He set up the club for like-minded chaps above the High Street premises of a printer called Vincent. Hence the name. After various moves, Vincent’s settled in King Edward Street, above Shepherd and Woodward’s shop.

Secure now with a long lease, members lavished nearly half a million pounds on a splendid renovation, the results of which I saw for the first time last week.

Not least of the improvements is a new lift, of importance to older, less able members. These include Sir Roger Bannister, who celebrated his first sub-four minute mile at the Iffley Road running track in 1954 on these very premises.

Along with wife Moyra, he was present last week when Oxford University vice-chancellor, Prof Andrew Hamilton, handed cheques, for sums up to £2,500, to Varsity sportspersons deserving of them.

The Vincent’s Awards, now in their second year, make use of funds generously supplied by members – and once a member, always a member – during and after the renovation appeal.

They support scholar athletes of both sexes to excel in their chosen field without the need to labour in a fast-food joint or bar.

As club bursar, my old friend Stephen Eeley had a significant involvement in the fundraising, which is how I came to be invited – a man not known for an interest in sport – to the ceremony.

What a thoroughly enjoyable occasion it proved to be, not least for my meeting with many delightful people.

These included current club president, Ayowande McCunn, and two of his predecessors, Ben Mansfield and Marcus-Alexander Neil with whom I enjoyed a fine dinner in the club dining room.

I gained a special pleasure from conversation with patent lawyer Heather Lawrence, a founder of the Oxford University women’s rugby team (who will perform this year at Twickenham on the same day as the men’s Varsity match).

Heather endowed a scholarship in memory of her late husband Mark whose membership of Vincent’s was a source of pride in his life.

It went to Younes Saidani, of Hertford College, one of two recipients unable to be present last Wednesday. The other was Elena Backhouse, of Lady Margaret Hall.

The other lucky students can all be seen in the picture above. Since the caption box is not large enough to permit the naming of them, I shall list them now.

From left to right: Morgan Baynham-Williams of Oriel College; Tamara Davenne (Merton); Ben Skretting (Mansfield); Connor Roth (Somerville); Jed Marshall (Lady Margaret Hall); Matthew McFahn (Jesus); and Louis Rawlings (Christ Church).

Others in the picture are, from left, Sir Roger Bannister; Melville Guest, club president in 1966; Prof Hamilton and (far right) current president Ayowande McCunn.