Lance Price (PPE, 1977)

Author; political commentator; broadcaster

If I ever needed reminding that Hertford was no ordinary college, that moment came just a few days before the start of Finals. I was on my hands and knees crossing the bridge to get to the library. We’d been told not to walk upright because Michael Cimino was in the street filming a movie – John Hurt and Kris Kristofferson were hanging around outside looking bored.

The film, Heaven’s Gate, was a financial disaster but I assume Hertford did nicely out of the location fee. And happily, despite my fears, my degree didn’t suffer.

The bridge was helpful later in life. ‘Which college were you at?’, ‘Hertford.’ Blank look. ‘You know, the one with the bridge.’

I’ve always hated those conversations. For many years I was rather embarrassed to tell people I’d been to Oxford at all. It was a nagging guilt that the name alone opened doors that other equally talented graduates found much harder to get through.

But fortunately Hertford has never really been home to the kind of person who sees an Oxbridge education as an entitlement rather than a privilege.

I’ve rarely been back to college since graduating. I’m not a good old-Hertfordian. But thanks to two far more worthy alumni who I happen to have worked alongside, I did speak after dinner in Hall a couple of years ago. Jacqui Smith – a big supporter of the Tanner Scheme – invited me, and the guest of honour was the Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood. 35 years ago I knew him as plain-old chain-smoking, party-loving Jeremy. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to remind him of that.

So while there are many people more deserving of a photograph, I am honoured to be included. If nothing else, I think of it as a reward for not spoiling Mr Cimino’s shot.