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 lovers’ spat with George Best • I hit it off with Sinéad Cusack – but she fell for the footballer instead

Hypochondriacs are always right – in the end • After years of false alarms, my trip to A&E was a real emergency

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

The fall and rise of Michael Caine • As the great actor turns 90, Andrew Roberts salutes his long apprenticeship in forgotten B movies

The Irish Muse of Poetry • When Kenneth Cranham performs Rudyard Kipling, he thinks of the late Josephine Hart, the writer and poetic pioneer

Only connect • Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, the Black Farmer, has to teach his young employees to pick up the phone and talk directly to people

My bum rap • Sir Les Patterson was caught with a nubile research assistant with his trousers down – but got off scot-free

The naked truth • Rainbow Gatherings bring people from across the world to pray for peace. Joth Shakerley's new book salutes their 50th anniversary

Fighting for my rights • For 55 years, Peter Tatchell, 70, has been beaten up at protests. Just back from Qatar, he reveals how he prepares for his injuries

Out, damned spot! • Don't ignore warts, cysts and skin tags. They can be easily removed

Fallen angel • John McVicar – the armed robber who kept breaking out of jail – was a lovely neighbour, says Vivian Marnham

Oxford blues • The university's classics department is threatening to cut back on Homer and Virgil. Amelia Butler-Gallie is horrified

Don't give trainers the boot • The shoes are popular with oldies, from princesses to fashionistas. And Elinor Goodman loves her leopard-skin pair

The Harrow bomber • In 1984, Margaret Thatcher was due to visit the famous school. Two days before, a menacing parent’ cased the joint. By Robert Portal

The Oldie Literary Lunch in Dorset Tuesday 14th March 2023 At Kingston Courtyard, near Corfe Castle, BH20 5LR • In aid of the Roof Appeal for St Nicholas's Church, Worth Matravers

The lying game • From The Kings Speech to The Crown, historical dramas are full of lies. Playwright Francis Beckett prefers the truth

Anthem for a doomed youth • Matthew Leeming was a scholarly adventurer, brought down by an anarchic, self-destructive streak. By his friend Bijan Omrani

Best of British • Luxury goods needn't be overpriced tat. For real quality, buy the things we've been making for centuries. By Charlotte Metcalf

My servant problem – I've got too many of them

Return to the 1970s? Yes, please!

The patron saint of modern Ireland • The Irish now celebrate St Brigids Day, as well as St Patrick's Day.

I'm the Melvyn Bragg of Cleethorpes • Mother and Father are the bickering bookworms in our literary salon

An Ofsted inspector calls

Quite Interesting Things about… horses

New Year's resolution don't be fussy or bossy

Sir Robert Ogden (1936-2022)

The cost of living painlessly • Would you...