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

My royal appointments diary • For over 50 years, I've recorded my gripping meetings with the Queen

I think it's all over. It will be soon • After 50 years of dreaming, I know we won't win the World Cup

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

I was Peter Cook’s caddy • The great comedian would have been 85 on 17th November. When he played golf with Madeline Smith, he captured her heart

A vintage road trip to Brighton • When Genevieve was filmed 70 years ago, no one predicted it would be such a huge hit. By Andrew Roberts

Crumbs! Biscuit king turns 200 • Mark Palmer salutes his ancestors, who founded Huntley & Palmers

Poetry and emotion • When her mother died, Rachel Kelly found consolation in joyful poems - and learning them by heart

School days with an IRA terrorist • Virginia Ironside recalls Rose Dugdale – the deb who beat up her parents’ friends, stole Old Masters and built missile-launchers

The Great British Teeth Problem • It isn't enough to go to the dentist. You must visit a dental hygienist to keep inflamed gums – and heart disease – at bay

Smyrna, joy of Asia • The ancient city bustled with trade and naughty pleasures – until it was destroyed by arson a century ago. By Philip Mansel

Upwardly mobile • Don't mock the young for being glued to their phones. Caroline Flint, 81, depends on hers to stay in touch with the best things in life

Winter is coming • Ronald Blythe, 100, salutes the joys of Advent, dark afternoons and the change of the seasons

In the club • If you like sheep, bondage or pylons, there's an association for you. By Jonathan Sale

Not the retiring type • Andrew Cunningham has just retired after 30 heavenly years as a teacher – and he hates it

Notes on a scandal • His mate Dezza was caught doing the dirty deed and his wife, Gwen, is nudging the turps. By the very honourable Sir Les Patterson

The elephant man • When playboy Peter Beard was gored by a Kenyan elephant, he turned into a great photographer. By his friend Anthony Haden-Guest

When Dolly met Dickens • Robert Bathurst, star of a new Dolly Parton musical, salutes the singers great gifts for singing, writing and talking

2022 and all that - a history of British blunders • From George III to Liz Truss, we've made catastrophic mistakes

It's my funeral - and I want a cheapskate's send-off

My brilliant diet? Buy disgusting food

Breastfeeding beats chestfeeding • Nature shows how silly gender-neutral words are, says Mary Kenny

My office dress code, courtesy of Mother • She still shines my shoes and washes my face before I go to work

I adore my Latin lover

Quite Interesting Things about … the Olympics

Amazing grace

Lord Sainsbury KG (1927-2022)

The healing power of art • I love pictures, too, but do they really improve your health?-

READERS' LETTERS • The Oldie, 23-31 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PA...