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
There is nothing like my dames • Britain's great theatrical dames, including Judi Dench, are putting on a show at the Palladium for my 75th birthday
Please, Lord, give me a sign! • Why do oldies indicate - and young idiots in Range Rovers fail to?
OLDEN LIFE
MODERN LIFE
Duchess of kent at 90 • After decades of royal service, notably at Wimbledon, the Duchess became a singing teacher and set up a music charity.
Carry on working • Jim Dale, 87, was in his first Carry On film 60 years ago. After acting for 70 years, he's still performing, he tells York Membery
Reasons to be cheerful... • My glass is full...
… or gloomy • … and mine's completely empty
The original Iron Lady • Strongwoman Joan Rhodes tore up telephone books and could lift two men at a time. By her friend and biographer, Triona Holden
Wales, land of my fathers • Griff Rhys fones, brought up in Essex, is still completely Welsh - though lots of Welshmen refuse to believe him
Let your fingernails do the talking • A visit to a talon salon brightened my nails - and my spirits
The world's best suit • In North by Northwest, Cary Grant grapples with a plane, kisses a beauty, fights baddies - and always looks perfect. By Todd McEwen
Widow's weeds • When Basia Briggs's husband died, it wasn't long before predatory men started moving in on her
The art of speaking • Martin Jarvis is the voice of Just William, Bertie Wooster and Twix chocolate. But he lost out on the Toilet Duck gig to Chris Tarrant
We will remember them • Charlotte Metcalf is looking forward to Celebration Day in May - a new way of honouring loved ones who are no longer with us
Boston Tea Party runs out of tea • Prince Harry's book and a teabag shortage ruin Anglo-American links
You're only as old as… your metabolism? • The new "super-soup" that keeps you young on the inside. All it takes is just one bowl a week
I hate library phone boxes • As hundreds of real libraries close down, these tatty old crates enrage librarian Katrina Robinson
The Idie Walking Tour with Harry Mount Wren's City of London • Thursday 11th May 2023
The great Wrenaissance • When Christopher Wren died 300 years ago, his sublime style had gone out of fashion. He wasn't forgotten for long, says Harry Mount
Joy of fairy godmothers • Why are godparents out of fashion? They are a delightful - and mischievous - bonus for children.
The Battle over the British Empire • In colonial debates, why do people ignore other empires?
Who wants to be a millionaire? I do
When a man is tired of Wiltshire…
The human right to smoke • As Richard Ingrams said, you have to die of something.
The Savile Row of Cleethorpes has lost its charm • My shopping trip from Hell - in Mother's jogging trousers
Ukrainians under siege - in our schools
Quite Interesting Things about… books
Glut...