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

Among this month's contributors

The Old Un's Notes

NOT MANY DEAD • Important stories you may have missed

When Lizzie met Maggie • Margaret Thatcher was devoted to her Queen but when she curtseyed, it all went wrong

I'm a Farage fan – get me out of here! • Why have I fallen for Nigel? It must be Dad's old Jag

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

It's a wonderful film • At 83, Karolyn Grimes tells Christopher Sandford about the joys of playing James Stewart's daughter in the Christmas classic

The 2023 Oldie of the Year Awards • Our Champion – the Queen of Broadcasting and the Dance Floor

Higher education reaches new lows • Kingsley Amis was right – more universities has meant worse dons

Not mad – just sad • We must draw a distinction between mental-health problems and the ups and downs of everyday life. By Rachel Kelly

Strike a light! • As smoking declines, so does the hobby of collecting matchbox labels. By Michael Foley, one of the last collectors

The strange death of the overcoat • Winter coats were killed off by global warming – and a hatred of cloakrooms

Family telly at Xmas • When Justine Hardy watches festive TV, she sees Uncle Robert Morley, Granny Gladys Cooper and Robert Hardy, her father

Rules of entertainment • Ever been invited to dinner – and felt you put more into the evening than the hosts? Lulu Taylor has the solution

The British Lili Marleen • Anne Shelton, born a century ago, was once bigger than Vera Lynn. John Temple salutes the girl with the golden voice

The dying of the light • When Matthew Norman's parents died recently, he was horrified at the NHS's agonising attempts to extend their lives

A churchwarden's lot • On Christmas Eve, St Martin's, Dunton, is packed. For the rest of the year, Nick Primmer has a hard time of it

George Washington's Christmas present • Christmas Day was big news for William the Conqueror – and Washington

How to get ahead in advertising? Repetition

Mary's new phobia – my voice

Best London Mayor? Dick Whittington • The pantomime star was a wool merchant, a banker and the man who financed Henry V at Agincour

The miracle from Hell – I can hear again • My new hearing aids mean everyday conversation comes through depressingly loud and clear

Easy to teach A Christmas Carol? Humbug!

Smug Little Women

Lord Lawson of Blaby (1932-2023)

The Spanish guide to the siesta • A new study shows short daytime sleeps are better than long ones

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

Arthur Miller

The Jeremy Lewis Prize for New Writing • his year's winner of the annual award in honour of our late deputy editor

Books

FILM • NAPOLEON (15)

THEATRE • THE WITCHES

RADIO

TELEVISION

MUSIC • WEXFORD FESTIVAL: WOMEN AND WAR

GOLDEN OLDIES • WILLIAMS THE CONQUEROR

EXHIBITIONS •...