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

High times with Bill Nighy • I was intoxicated by the actor's delicious story about drugs and Samuel Beckett

Weep crocodile tears for the school fees hike • Who will bail out the poor millionaires, forced to pay VAT?

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

Generous Grant • In his last film, 60 years ago, Cary Grant charmed his co-star, a young John Standing

A gentle man in New York • Harry Cluff salutes Robert Benchley, the funniest, kindest writer at the Algonquin Round Table, 80 years after his death

Careers of a clown • After 38 years in the City, Charles Prideaux gave it all up to join the circus

Preposterous presents • Piers Pottinger yearns for the days of useless gifts and the mysterious Corby Trouser Press

Hell is other people's houses • There's no place like home, says Candida Crewe

My brotherly love • Quentin Letts was inspired by his brother's premature death to write a novel about Simeon, who died after seeing the baby Jesus

Murder in the Wild West • When John Cornwell investigated the slaughter of three Devon siblings 50 years ago, Ted Hughes tried to stop him

And is the most tremendous tale of all true? • The Easter story is convincing because the details are so humdrum

Bond's Amazon adventure • As 007 ends up in new hands, Kate Grimond, Ian Fleming's niece, salutes the spy who lives for ever

Joy of stars in my eyes

Feelgood romcoms make me feel bad

All aboard for the train's 200th birthday • The railways are one of Britain's greatest gifts to the world. So why aren't we celebrating their bicentenary properly? By

Miracle-worker filled a hole in my life • And now Mother needs a medical miracle, too

You can lead a boy to culture but you can't make him think

Geeks shall inherit the earth • Gorgeous girls lose their attraction but Plain Janes are forever gripping

The Wizard Hookers of Oz

Winston Churchill

Rude wit of Archbishop's wife

You can't say that! • Joseph Connolly on the shocking quips of his youth, now gone for ever

The Resurrection of Jesus – and Lazarus

General Sir Michael Jackson, GCB, CBE, DSO, DL (1944-2024)

A handy tip for arthritic fingers • Might heated mittens heal my deformed digits?

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 British Way of Death • A new book reveals how we handled the Grim Reaper in the Middle Ages

Commonplace Corner

RANT

Valley boys

I once met Richard Burton

Bird brains

Playing away

Mary, Queen of Scots, built my hut

Magna Carter

Rock gods' table talk

Modern Kilvert's diary

FILM

THEATRE

RADIO

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MUSIC

GOLDEN OLDIES

EXHIBITIONS

GARDENING

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