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

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...