The Oldie

The idea for the Oldie was cooked up 25 years ago by its founding editor, Richard Ingrams, and his much-lamented successor, the late Alexander Chancellor. Their aim was to create a free-thinking, funny magazine, a light-hearted alternative to a press obsessed with youth and celebrity. The Oldie is ageless and timeless, free of retirement advice, crammed with rejuvenating wit, intelligence and delight. With over 100 pages in every issue, The Oldie is packed with funny cartoons and free-thinking and intelligent articles covering a wide range of topics – from gardening and books to travel, arts, entertainment, and so much more.

The Oldie

The Old Un's Notes

Among this month's contributors

NOT MANY DEAD • Important stories you may have missed

The Bob Monkhouse Guide to Orgies • The sex-mad comedian wrote blue gags for Max Miller – and told me a wonderfully filthy joke

Don't tell me I'm losing my mind • I won’t be taking a new test that predicts Alzheimer’s

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

The Man with the Golden Pen • Don Black, 85, has written lyrics for everyone from Shirley Bassey to Tom Jones. He reveals the secrets of writing hit songs

The Wright stuff • In 1955, schoolboy John Price was charmed by Billy Wright. The England captain, who married a Beverley Sister, would have been 100 this year

Jarché's hidden camera • Jimmy Jarché took some of the greatest pictures of the 20th century but remains strangely unknown.

My aunt, the first St Trinian's girl • William Freeman’s aunt was a naughty schoolgirl – who inspired Ronald Searle

It was 60 years ago today… • In his new book, Christopher Sandford is dazzled and horrified by the good, the bad and the ugly events of 1964

That's all ffolkes! • Michael ffolkes was disliked by other cartoonists but he was a real artist – and very funny.

Offal isn't awful. It's delicious!

Over-use it - and lose it • Too much exercise has left my friends in agony

Kind hearts don't need coronets • The Post Office scandal shows how worthless the honours system is

Jack the Ripper's last victim • I loved stalking the East End in search of the Victorian murderer. But he had a lethal surprise in store for me

The Elizabeth Line transport of delight

Music is not the food of love, says Mary

Parlez-vous Phrase-Book French? • Old foreign-language guides made for wonderful, accidental comedy says Mary Kenny

My classroom isn't a dentist's surgery, Keir

Who wants to be a Catholic?

Anthony Holden (1947-2023)

See your GP? An impossible dream • Visiting the same doctor regularly is good for you – if you can

READERS' LETTERS • The Oldie, 23–31 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PA letters@theoldie.co.uk To sign up for our e-newsletter, go to www.theoldie.co.uk

Ryan O'Neal

Mrs Thatcher's duel with Helmut Kohl

King of the Road

Roaming Romans

Yorkshire gold

Lou Reed's wild side

Luxury beliefs

OLDIE NOVEL OF THE MONTH S & M - & Jane Austen

Commonplace Corner

RANT

First Impressionists last • They’re now revered – 150 years after they were mocked on their debut

FILM • THE HOLDOVERS (15)

THEATRE • PLAZA SUITE

RADIO

TELEVISION

MUSIC • RHAPSODY IN BLUE

GOLDEN OLDIES • STILL CRAZY FOR PAUL

EXHIBITIONS • BRUEGEL TO RUBENS

GARDENING • IN SEARCH OF SNAKE'S HEADS

KITCHEN GARDEN • SWEET CICELY

COOKERY • ABSTAIN WITHOUT PAIN

RESTAURANTS • MR SPONGE’S SCOFFING TOUR

DRINK • A TASTE OF...