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

JEREMY LEWIS PRIZE FOR NEW WRITING 2024 How to enter

What a dame! • My friend Maggie Smith was the complete actress

A trip to rural Dorset - and the 1970s • Who knew that power cuts are still going strong in the Tarrant Valley?

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

Lord Lucan: the grisly truth • Fifty years after Sandra Rivett’s murder, Algy Cluff remembers meeting the earl – and how detectives came knocking on his door

The people's poet • For 50 years, Pam Ayres has been Britain’s most loved poet. William Cook meets her and admires her new anthology

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth

Voice over • When actor Jack Hawkins had his larynx removed, he did not give up on his career – or his smoking.

Things can only get worse • Ysenda Maxtone Graham on the endless irritations of modern life.

The don and the pop star • Jeremy Catto (1939-2018) was a Fellow in Medieval History at Oriel College, Oxford, from 1969 to 2006. In 1966, he befriended a young Bryan Ferry.

The strange death of Tory England • A century ago, the Liberals were wiped out. Are the Tories doomed, too?

Yawning generation gap

Jimi Hendrix

Long arm of the law meets a very short skirt

Leggings legacy • Giles is right – they’re a crime against humanity

Hell is other tourists

Mary's right - I should have got out more

End of my purple reign • It’s time to ditch the hair dye, says Mary Kenny, and fade to grey

Weirdo on the landing • Now I’m Mother’s doctor in the house, I’ve got her under 24/7 surveillance

My latent latex fetish

A call to Christianity's lost sheep

Dame A S Byatt (1936-2023)

Elixir of youth • Olive oil might stave off Alzheimer’s – particularly among women

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

The favourite doesn't always win • The Duke of Buckingham, adored by James I, was stabbed to death

Ed McLachlan (1940-2024) • The Oldie salutes a cartooning great.

Commonplace Corner

Long goodbyes

Open thy Goethe

RIP Gannex Man

Paragon of actors

Gunpowder, treason and plot

Gauguin redeemed

Goodbye, Dr Chips

OLDIE NOVEL OF THE MONTH

FILM • THE APPRENTICE (12A)

THEATRE • LOOK BACK IN ANGER

RADIO

TELEVISION

MUSIC • MANCHESTER MUSIC PIRES AT 80

GOLDEN OLDIES • WORDS WITHOUT MUSIC

EXHIBITIONS • DRAWING THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

GARDENING • SPRING BULB MOMENT

KITCHEN GARDEN • PLUMS

COOKERY • BUNNIES GO TO BELGIUM

RESTAURANTS • NO TURKISH DELIGHTS

DRINK • BEST ENGLISH WINE EVER

SPORT • ONE MORE GOAL FOR PLEAT

MOTORING • MY IMMORTAL LAND ROVER

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