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

Who wants to be a billionaire? • If you want to make a fortune, listen to James Dyson's tips

Fear and loathing in Fleet Street • The Mystic Megs of the Telegraph love predicting Armageddon

OLDEN LIFE

MODERN LIFE

I write the songs • Tim Rice's hits grew out of his love of LPs and Lloyd Webber's love of musical theatre

How to be interesting • Don't talk about schools or parking. Do talk about sex.

The art of love • A new book by Nick Trend tells the story of art's greatest love affairs through the artists' most heartbreaking pictures

Precious Ruby • At 100, Thelma Ruby has acted on stage and screen for 80 years. Maureen Lipman first saw her as Prince Charming in 1953

George's magic flower power • Neil Titley, the Beatle's gardener, ran over his gnome but still got a lovely goodbye present from him

Farewell, my lovely address book • Old telephone numbers and addresses conjure up a lost world of children's friends and much-missed parents for Penny Hancock

London's oldest restaurant • Over 200 years ago, Wiltons and Rules first opened for business. But which came first? Charlotte Metcalf has the answer

St Trinian's at war • Ronald Searle's naughty schoolgirls grew out of his imprisonment in Changi Camp with Neil Mackwood's uncle

Today's Dissolution of the Monasteries • Silly C of E sold its vicarages – and destroyed the clerical caste

The fatty generation • Jill Parkin, 66, despairs of young Fattypuffs and admires old Thinifers

Handy guide to armless tops • The gilet is perfect for time-poor gazillionaires. You can bike, store a tie and avoid phone thieves

When the sixties really swang • Comedy writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais do remember the swinging decade – and meeting its most thrilling performers

Start spreading the news – I'm the new Sinatra

End of the line for the glorious tram

The Englishman's last right: a blazing bonfire

Kent councillor's case for refugees • Ben Bano's parents fled the Nazis – now he's fighting for today's asylum seekers.

Eureka! My Archimedes moment • When the water ran out of the hotel bath, I made a genius discovery

Rebirth of the Renaissance • The dark truth behind the myths of the artistic golden age

School on TV? It's all scrumpy and rumpy-pumpy

The Bible's dazzling pearls

Sir Martin Jacomb (1929-2024)

How to keep oldies in the driving seat • Risk of dying in a road accident doubles after the age of 70

Auberon Waugh

The elephant in the interview room

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

Dr Crippen in the dock

Very Grand Guignol

Old New York

Spring's role

War of the Words

Charles II's difficulties with girls

Commonplace...