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

I do like to be beside Frinton-on-Sea • Why go abroad on holiday, with such delights at home?

Don’t rage against the dying of the light • Why do oldies think they can be youthful for ever?

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

Here’s to you, Miss Robinson • At 80, Anne Robinson tells Harry Mount about facelifts, drinking and Robert Maxwell

No sex, please-we’re pals • Harry and Sally were wrong. Liz Hodgkinson has lots of male friends

Father Browne’s Titanic adventures • Robert O’Byrne on the priest who photographed the Titanic - and Irish country houses

Sea lords • Mark Carnall has rediscovered a classic Georgian book on the beauty of shells

Here comes the bride’s mother • A new mother-of-the-bride industry has added to wedding inflation, as Clare Clark discovered when her daughter got married

Absurd Waugh story • Pierre Waugh salutes his uncle Alexander (1963-2024), grandfather Auberon, great-grandfather Evelyn - and their war on seriousness

Beware of the devil dogs • Why can’t owners keep their snarling hounds under control?

Dream on, dreaming spires • The candidates to become Oxford’s Chancellor just aren’t up to it

I thought my work was all over - it isn’t now

James Hewitt and Princess Diana

Brian Epstein’s unhappy schooldays

I’m a cape crusader • As autumn nights draw in, wrap up warm

We’re lost without old-fashioned maps

Unhappy ending to my school story

Jan Leeming’s love for a French hero • The broadcaster has fallen for a dashing pilot.

I’m the Cleethorpes Beach Boy • My new look - long hair, beardy stubble and a Hawaiian shirt - didn’t go down well with Mother and Father

Put a little colour in your life

Vicar’s book of revelations

General Sir Richard Vickers (1928-2024)

Medical murder mystery • Lucy Letby case shows how tricky convictions are for hospital deaths

READERS’ LETTERS

Napoleon’s lesson for Ukraine • Can Zelenksy succeed where Bonaparte and Hitler failed?

Commonplace Corner

RANT

Right royal biography

Who dared won

Kid lit

Harold Pinter’s cricket tour of English history

Irish eyes aren’t smiling

Cardinal sins

Downing Street sex addict

FILM

THEATRE

RADIO

TELEVISION

MUSIC

GOLDEN OLDIES

EXHIBITIONS

GARDENING

KITCHEN GARDEN

COOKERY

RESTAURANTS

DRINK

SPORT

MOTORING

Beware of take internet news

Taxed by the Grim Reaper

Marsh harrier

Born to be Wilde • Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin 170 years ago. His first 20 years in Ireland sparked his daring, licence and genius.

A walk round Constable Country • As a National Gallery show opens, William Cook visits the artist’s favourite haunts

Surreal Sussex • Edward James turned a Lutyens villa into a crazy gem, electrified by the works...