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

Anyone for Venice? • What a treat to see an altar in the Frari restored by Venice in Peril

The cowboys of London’s Wild West • I’m a dream client for rip-off builders

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

I weep for Wales • Twenty-five years after devolution, Roger Lewis mourns for the lost world of his youth

Magic dirtbuster • Martin Plimmer salutes the Swarfega inventor, Audley Bowdler Williamson, who died 20 years ago

Birdwatcher’s Bible • John McEwen on a new book of The Oldie’s Bird of the Month pictures by Carry Akroyd

How to be a Yes Man • Ever since he started agreeing with everyone, Matthew Fort has found life much easier

Germany calling • Forty years ago, Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement loved creating Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

Farewell, my lovely Islington • Cosmo Landesman grew up in a bohemian borough crammed with writers and singers. Now it’s a super-gentrified cultural desert

Standing ovation • At 90, John Standing tells York Membery about his 70 years on stage and screen

All the Sun King’s horses • Louis XIV would have adored the Paris Olympics at Versailles.

In the line of fire • James Fletcher was photographing the Trump rally when shots rang out

Grime is good • Ian Fleming said English women are filthy - if only we were

My model performance

Roll up for death-defying Blondin • The heart-stopping tightrope-walker was born 200 years ago

Philistines in glass houses

Time to pay for music lessons, Sir Keir

I need a mansplainer in my life • Mary Kenny likes it when kind men help her out

The Hannibal Lecter of Cleethorpes • Mother has become the most dangerous resident in the local hospital

My very rude awakening

Frank Bruno

Naked attraction of nude pictures

Manners makyth the finest men

Dame Ann Leslie (1941-2023)

Beware of magic health cures • The new weight-loss drug might not be a miracle, after all

READERS’ LETTERS

Hollywood’s funny girl

Posh, Becks - and sex

City of fights

My first book - 70 years ago

Hunchback spy

The Loadsamoney era

OLDIE NOVEL OF THE MONTH

Iris Murdoch’s Damascus moment • My dear friend would have loathed the private-school tax

Commonplace Corner

RANT

FILM • THE CONVERSATION (12A)

THEATRE • THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

RADIO

TELEVISION

MUSIC • PAUL WEE PLAYS ALKAN

GOLDEN OLDIES • THE LATE MADONNA

EXHIBITIONS • LEONORA CARRINGTON: REBEL VISIONARY

GARDENING • SECOND COMING

KITCHEN GARDEN • CAPE GOOSEBERRIES

COOKERY • FRENCH LESSONS

RESTAURANTS • PUB GRUB

DRINK • PEARLY WHITES

SPORT • LAST FAREWELL

MOTORING • THE ROVER RETURNS

The computer isn’t always right

Share performance anxiety

Stonechat

Ode on melancholy...