The Oldie Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Oldie Podcast
The Oldie magazine’s podcast featuring discussion and debate around the lead features in the latest magazine, plus live recordings from our famous Literary Lunches. Presented by Harry Mount.
Michael Rosen is the multi award-winning and prolific children’s author and poet and the former Children’s Laureate. He’s also the presenter of BBC Radio Four’s Word of Mouth, a hugely successful You Tuber and Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmith’s College. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book Where are You Eddie? Exploring his feelings around his son’s tragic death from Meningitis, as well as about his own near death from Covid and his life and work.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
John Humphrys talks to Matthew Norman about the death of Rod Liddle, 66, his dear friend and old producer at the Today programme. John also salutes his old Today colleague, the late Ed Stourton, and analyses the art of the perfect interview.
Recorded at Yamaha Studios
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf pays tribute to her dear Cambridge friend, the BBC broadcaster Ed Stourton, who has died at 68.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Amanda Craig is a critic, award-winning journalist and author. She’s one of our only female state-of-the-nation novelists and has been compared with Balzac, Trollope and Dickens. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her latest novel High and Low.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Titus Mills is a headmaster - and an expert on Operation Market Garden, the doomed Allied landings in Holland in 1944, recalled in A Bridge Too Far (1977).
As we approach the 82nd anniversary, Titus took a group of Oldie readers to Arnhem. There, he told Harry Mount about the many veterans he got to know and their epic, heroic actions.
Editor Harry Mount chats to Supplements Editor Charlotte Metcalf about the new issue. They admire the article on David Hockney by his friend, biographer and fellow Yorkshireman, Christopher Sykes. And they're moved and abused by Anne Sebba's distress at all the condolence letters on her husband's premature death.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
It will be his last book, he says.
As England play the semi-final against Argentina, he recalls the 1996 Euro semi-final against Germany and the 1998 World Cup, and how he consoled David Beckham after losing.
He doesn’t really miss football because he was never really a fan. Rather, he admired the qualities of individual players from different teams. And he did all he could wish for in his career.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Tony Adams speaking about his new book, 1996 - Reflections on the Year that Changed My Life, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Rowan Williams speaking about his new book, Solidarity - The Work of Recognition, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
A N Wilson speaking about his new book, The Wise and their Works - The Great Exhibition of 1851, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 14th 2026.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Nicholas Shakespeare, who talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest novel Frame 37, was described by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best English novelists of our time. His novel The Dancer Upstairs was made into a feature film by John Malkovich in 2002. Alongside his fiction, his non-fiction includes acclaimed biographies of Bruce Chatwin, Ian Fleming and Six Minutes in May about Winston Churchill.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
As Keir Starmer stands down, John Humphrys, the Rottweiler of the Today programme, tells Matthew Norman about the Prime Ministers he's interviewed - from Jim Callaghan to Andy Burnham, Starmer's expected successor.
John reveals the time Margaret Thatcher outfoxed him and the day Tony Blair told him he was 'a pretty straight sort of guy'.
Recorded by Yamaha Studios.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Editor Harry Mount chats to Supplements Editor Charlotte Metcalf about the theatre.
Charlotte adores London's pre-eminence as the great theatre city of the world. And Harry, once an avid theatregoer, has given up - thanks to the expense, discomfort and the terrifyingly low hit rate of brilliant plays with brilliant actors.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Jim White, the Oldie's sportswriter and Telegraph football correspondent, has covered eight World Cups and has written about sport for 40 years. He tells Harry Mount about England's performance and his favourite sportswriters of all time.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
In a special recording for The Oldie, Maureen Lipman tells the sad tale of Elsa's Dad, based on a real story told to her by a fellow actress.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
They gossip about her wild night in Manhattan with old friend Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City – and wonder why authors aren't as glamorous as they used to be.
What makes for the best book covers? Fruity talks about the joy of working for Virago, who made the glorious green jackets, with the ideal paintings to match. And why do all covers now seem to have a man in a suit loitering on a street corner or running down a dark alley?
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Kathy Lette burst onto our scenes as the exuberant and hilariously outspoken Australian novelist with Puberty Blues when she was just 17. With 20 more novels to her name since then, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her move to Britain, her marriages, sex and relationships, raising an autistic son and her latest novel The Sisterhood Rules which is underpinned by her determination to boost older women’s confidence and encourage and promote female solidarity.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Pru Leith speaking about her new book, Being Old... and Learning to Love It!, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Irelands Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.
*This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.*
Robert Hardman speaking about his book, Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. Her Inside Story, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.
*This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.*
A N Wilson speaking about his book, The Wise and Their Works: The Great Exhibition of 1851, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.
*This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays.*
Andrew Gailey speaking about his book, The Lost Imperialist: Lord Dufferin, Memory and Mythmaking in an Age of Celebrity, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at Northern Ireland's historic Clandeboye Estate near Belfast, on June 20th 2026.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Oldie Editor Harry Mount and Supplements Editor Charlotte Metcalf enjoy the latest issue of the magazine. They discuss Tony Adams' last drink and Liz Hodgkinson's vow of celibacy.
Christopher Sykes, author of Hockney: The Biography, tells Harry Mount what the late, great painter was really like and why his pictures were quite so captivating.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Andrew Graham-Dixon speaking about his new book, Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Dad's Army: The Glorious True Story of the Home Guard in WW2, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
James Reed speaking about his new book, Karma Capitalism: Why Being a Good Business is Good Business, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 16th 2026.
World Cup fever is building for everyone – except John Humphrys. The last game the legendary broadcaster watched was the World Cup Final in 1966 – ever since, he has loathed professional sport. Meanwhile, Matthew Norman, former Evening Standard sports columnist, has written two books about sport – and will be glued to the telly for the next month.
This week's podcast is kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford, Actual Investors, who take a long-term approach to investing in exceptional companies.
Recorded by Yamaha Music.
In a special sketch written for The Oldie, Maureen plays an aggrieved ex-wife asking her ex-husband, Brian, for help with her daughter, Maisie, who has gone catastrophically off the rails...
Oldie editor, Harry Mount, and supplements editor, Charlotte 'Fruity' Metcalf, discuss the latest issue of the magazine – and discuss the ingredients of the perfect article.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to the multiple-award winning writer Margaret Drabble about her books, her upbringing, her early life in theatre and her new book, The Great Good Places and discovers why she will never write another novel nor be publishing her long memoir during her lifetime.
John Humphrys loathes the pretence - and expense - of smart restaurants. Matthew Norman, former food critic, has spent some of his happiest moments in restaurants - but has never matched the pleasure of a Chinese meal in Willesden when he was six.
Recorded at Yamaha Studios
Christopher Hampton is one of Britain’s most outstanding and prolific playwrights and screenwriters. Currently his Dangerous Liaisons is playing at the National Theatre, while his Atonement has its world premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre on 29th May and his The Truth opens at The Apollo Theatre in June.
He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his life in film and cinema and the characters he’s met along the way range from his legendary agent Peggy Ramsay and schoolfriend David Hare to David Lean, Stephen Frears, Sean Connery, Emma Thompson, Martin Scorsese and many many more.
Colin Bell speaking about his new book, Bloody Dangerous: Fifty missions over Germany: The last first-hand account from WW2, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 12th 2026.
Robert Hardman speaking about his new book, Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 12th 2026.
Hugo Vickers speaking about his new book, Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 12th 2026.
He teased his fellow biographer Robert Hardman for being only three years old when Hugo first met the Queen in 1968. Robert may have met Donald Trump in the Oval Office but Hugo met the Queen in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle, to give her a copy of his book.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to Christine Dawood, whose book 96 Hours is published on 12th May.
The book tells Christine’s harrowing story of losing her husband, Shahzada, and 19-year-old son, Suleman, when the Titan submersible imploded on an exploratory diving mission down to the Titanic in June 2023. It intersperses her account of that agonising wait with vignettes from her happy, loving family life.
Christina tells Charlotte about her grief, her book and her plans to create a healing centre for others who have suffered a devastating loss.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to John Tusa, the distinguished journalist and arts administrator about his new podcast, The Best is Yet to Come, interviewing oldies in their nineties about their lives. He also talks about own his life, from leaving Czechoslovakia on the brink of war to his life in London now.
John Humphrys, the former Today programme presenter, and Oldie columnist Matthew Norman mourn John's brother, Graham Humphrys, who has just died at 87.
Matthew recalls the death of his parents in their late 80s - and how vital it was that they should die at home.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to the historian and biographer, Anne Sebba, about her latest book, The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz.
Anne tells Charlotte that she became fascinated with how the women survived and then how she tracked down and interviewed the two remaining survivors, including 100-year-old cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, who came to and was honoured as Oldie Maestra of the Year at this year’s Oldie Awards in February.
Sebastian Faulks speaking about his new book, Fires Which Burned Brightly, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.
Sara Wheeler speaking about her new book, Jan Morris: A Life, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.
Anna Mathias speaking about her new book, The Greyhound Diary, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.
Mary Beard chats to Harry Mount about her new book, Talking Classics - the Shock of the Old.
She reveals how she first fell in love with the ancient world when she was five – and a British Museum room steward opened a display case, holding a 4,000-year-old bread roll from Thebes, Egypt, for her.
She discusses Mussolini's reconstructions of ancient Roman buildings – and translates the delightfully rude graffiti in the Bar of Salvius in Pompeii.
John Humphrys is back!
Radio Oldie is delighted to host a new podcast, The Odd Couple, sponsored by Baillie Gifford, starring the great broadcaster and Matthew Norman, Oldie columnist, formerly the Guardian diarist and Telegraph columnist.
For over 30 years, from 1987 until 2019, John Humphrys was the chief presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme. Now he and Matthew, great friends - often with severe differences of opinion - lock horns for the Oldie.
In the first episode, John recalls how the back-breaking poverty of his childhood in Splott, Cardiff, galvanised him to embark on his extraordinary career. And he movingly remembers being the first journalist on the horrifying scene in Aberfan 60 years ago, when a colliery spoil tip engulfed a school, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
John says of his new presenting companion, ‘Matthew is one of the most gifted hacks I’ve ever met: clever, funny, staggeringly articulate and with a total conviction that he’s right about everything. Always. But is he?’
Matthew says of the new venture, ‘At this point of the calendar, it behoves us to remember that we all have a cross to bear. Working with John Humphrys is mine.’
Recording provided by Yamaha Music
Charlotte Metcalf visits the artist Rose Wylie, born in 1934, at her Kent studio to chat to her about her life and her first major one-woman museum show, The Picture Comes First, at the Royal Academy. It’s the biggest exhibition of her work to date and it is also the first time that a British woman painter has ever occupied all the main galleries at the Royal Academy.
Simon Jenkins, former Times editor and author of A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump, talks to Harry Mount.
Next month’s state visit to America by the King should be delayed while the Iran war continues, says Simon. He talks about the 250th anniversary of American independence and how confident he is that the mighty US constitution will ultimately keep Trump at bay.
Antony Beevor speaking about his new book, Rasputin: And the Downfall of the Romanovs, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.
Simon Jenkins speaking about his new book, A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.
Candida Meyrick speaking about her new book, Be More Bird: Lessons from a Hawk, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.
Candida Meyrick speaking about her new book, Be More Bird: Life Lessons from a Hawk, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.
The actor Derek Jacobi talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his long career and his various roles ranging from Hamlet to acting in Gladiator, Dr Who and Last Tango in Halifax.
His career stretches back to Cambridge University and then Birmingham Rep where he was spotted by Laurence Olivier and chosen to play Laertes opposite Peter O’Toole’s Hamlet in the National Theatre’s inaugural production at The Old Vic.
Putting his success entirely down to luck, Jacobi celebrates his good fortune and is currently on tour in conversation with his partner of 47 years and now husband, Richard Clifford.
Tickets for Derek's upcoming tour: https://www.cliveconwayproductions.com/shows/sir-derek-jacobi-in-conversation-with-richard-clifford
The eminent and multiple-prize-winning historian, Antony Beevor, best known for his popular works on the Second World War, the Spanish Civil War and Russia, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his new book on Rasputin: And the Downfall of the Romanovs, published this week. They also talk about his life and the problems that historians are increasingly facing in an age of disinformation and electronic rather than written communication.
Comedian, actor and author Nigel Planer, stuck with being known as the lugubrious hippy Neil in the 1980’s sitcom The Young Ones, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his memoir Young Once. He tells her how he’s finally escaped being Neil and how, alongside his career as a well-known comedian, he’s forged a successful career as an actor, musician, playwright, poet, audiobook narrator and more.
Part One of a series of specially-commissioned Maureen Lipman monologues for the Oldie, about Dinah - a waitress in the north of England.
Nigel Planer speaking about his new book, Young Once: A Life Less Heavy, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 17th 2026.
Tom Hodgkinson speaking about his new book, How to Live Like a Stoic: a Handbook for Happiness, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 17th 2026.
Pru Leith speaking about her new book, Being Old and Learning to Love It!, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 17th 2026.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to Dr. Miriam Stoppard about her new book Sex, Drugs and Walking Sticks, a must-read bible for oldies, full of anecdotes and her personal tips on how to age well. She talks frankly about her views on sex and alcohol, about her life and motherhood and reminisces about her 20-year marriage to the late Tom Stoppard.
Lady Antonia Fraser, 93 – Oldie of the YearLady Antonia Fraser wrote The House That Spoke: The History of a Home last year – 71 years after her first book, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.Introduced by Gyles Brandreth.
Maggi Hambling, 80 – Oldie Finest ArtistNow aged 80, Maggi is still going at full blast. She is in her studio - or by the North Sea with her sketchbook - by 6am every morning.
Introduced by Gyles Brandreth.
Michael Heath, 90 – Oldie King of the ToonsAt 90, Michael Heath remains our finest observational cartoonist. Since he first placed a cartoon in Melody Maker in 1955 – more than 70 years ago – he has drawn people with the clothes, hair and mannerisms of the moment.
Introduced by Gyles Brandreth.
Stephen Frears, 84 – Silver-Screen Evergreen OldieOver a period of six decades and with remarkably little fuss, Stephen Frears has established himself as our pre-eminent film director.
Introduced by Gyles Brandreth.
Anita Lasker-Walfisch, 100 – Oldie MaestraAnita Lasker Wallfisch, 100, a German-British cellist, was a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. After the war, she co-founded ensembles including the English Chamber Orchestra and has been honoured for her contributions to music and Holocaust remembrance.
Introduced by Gyles Brandreth
Susan Hampshire, 88 – Oldie Comeback KidSusan Hampshire starred in The Forsyte Saga as Fleur in the late 1960s. Then, last year, she returned as Lady Carteret in the prequel, The Forsytes.Introduced by Gyles Brandreth.
Stephen Frears is one of Britain’s most prolific and successful film and television directors. His 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette made his name and launched the careers of Daniel Day-Lewis and Tim Bevan of Working Title.
Stephen talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his phenomenal career, from directing Dangerous Liaisons, written by Christopher Hampton in 1988 and starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer, to working with Martin Scorsese on Grifters and with Stephen Knight on Dirty Pretty Things (2002).
He also talks about his admiration for Hugh Grant who played Jeremy Thorpe in his 2018 mini-series A Very English Scandal and his enduring friendship Hanif Kureshi, who wrote the screenplay for My Beautiful Laundrette.
Jeremy King, the greatest restaurateur of the age, tells Harry Mount how he set up the Caprice, the Ivy and the Wolseley. He explains how he trains his waiters, how he spots when a diner is about to hit him and why he wrote his new book, Without Reservation - Lessons from a Life in Restaurants.
Mary Berry speaking about her new book, Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.
Jeremy King speaking about his new book, Without Reservation: Lessons from a Life in Restaurants, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.
John Davie speaking about his new book, Greek to Us: the Fascinating Ancient Greek that Shapes our World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 20th 2026.
Charlotte Metcalf talks to Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk - the best-selling story of how she dealt with the grief over her father's death by bringing up a goshawk in Cambridge. The book has just been made into a film, starring Claire Foy (pictured) as Helen - it comes out this Friday, January 23rd.
As he turns 90, Hunter Davies tells Harry Mount about being the Beatles' only official biographer – the priceless, hand-written lyrics he picked up off the floor of Abbey Road Studios, John Lennon's disapproving Aunt Mimi and the swimming trunks Paul McCartney left at his Portugal house.
Beyond being one of the Pythons in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Michael Palin has had a varied career as an actor, writer and television presenter and is now known for his popular books and travel documentaries. He was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture and geography. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his love of travel and art, how he began in comedy, stammering, as he did in a A Fish Called Wanda, his ‘harmonious’ temperament and much more.
Lady Glenconner tells Harry Mount about life as Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting: how Fergie told her how much the Queen liked her book; and the royal waves, from the Queen's crisp wave to the Queen Mother's - like 'stirring a pudding'.
Matthew Bourne is widely hailed as Britain’s most popular and successful choreographer with a record number of prestigious awards. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about Red Shoes, currently playing at Sadlers Wells, and much more. His 1995 Swan Lake, replacing female swans with male dancers, is the world’s longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway. He was knighted in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the art of ballet.
Gyles Brandreth speaking about his new book, Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on December 9th 2025.
Lady Anne Glenconner speaking about her new book, Mischief & Manners, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on December 9th 2025.
Adam Sisman speaking about his new book, The Indefatigable Asa Briggs, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on December 9th 2025.
Pam Ayres is a much-loved poet, comedian, songwriter and broadcaster, particularly famous for her poem ‘I Wish I’d Looked After my Teeth’. She was awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to literature and entertainment. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her life, including performing for the Queen, and performs her most recent poem ‘I’ll Have to Send it Back’.
Henry Marsh is a neurosurgeon who became well-known when his best-selling book, Do No Harm was published in 2014. Since then, he’s written two more books, Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery, followed by And Finally in 2022. He’s had three BBC documentaries made about him and remains a frequent visitor to Ukraine, where he has been a volunteer surgeon and is now a popular lecturer.
Andrew Lownie speaking about his new book, Entitled: Prince Andrew, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 25th 2025.
Ferdinand Mount speaking about his new book, Soft: A Brief History of Sentimentality, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 25th 2025.
Roger Moorhouse speaking about his new book, Wolfpack: The Gripping New World War Two History Taking Us Inside Hitler's U-Boat War, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 25th 2025.
Nicholas Hytner is one of our leading theatre, opera and film directors, knighted in 2010 for services to drama. He is artistic director at The Bridge Theatre, which he co-founded with Nick Starr after stepping down in 2015 as Director of the National Theatre. He’s also the founder of Lightroom, the innovative immersive venue for art, most notable for its Hockney exhibition. Nicholas talks to Charlotte Metcalf about The Choral, his latest film collaboration with Alan Bennett (starring Ralph Fiennes and with Elgar played by Simon Russell Beale) and much more, including his views on arts funding and the dearth of arts education in schools.
Michael Morpurgo has written over 150 books, many for children, including War Horse. He has served as the Children’s Laureate and was knighted in 2018 for services to literature and charity. His latest books is Funny Thing Getting Older.
Merlin Holland pays tribute to his grandfather Oscar Wilde and discusses his new book, After Oscar: The Legacy of a Scandal.
Merlin tells Harry Mount how the shock waves from Wilde's trial echoed through the 20th century, right into his own lifetime. How he wishes he could ask Wilde why he took the fatal step of suing the Marquess of Queensberry.
Merlin Holland speaking about his new book, After Oscar: The Legacy of a Scandal, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 4th 2025.
Sarah Vine speaking about her new book, How Not to be a Political Wife, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 4th 2025.
Ysenda Maxtone-Graham speaking about her new book, Screams: Shrieks of Horror and Yelps of Pleasure from Modern Life, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on November 4th 2025.
Edward Fox tells Harry Mount about playing Sir Brian Horrocks in A Bridge Too Far and his starring role as Edward VIII in Edward & Mrs Simpson. He details his extraordinary acting bloodline and explains how he approached the melon-shooting scene in The Day of the Jackal.
Daniel Finkelstein is an award-winning political commentator and journalist. He’s a Times columnist, and author of his 2023 memoir, Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad. Previously he was a politician and political advisor to John Major and William Hague. He was appointed to the House of Lords as a life peer in 2013.
He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his book and his parents – his mother was sent to Bergen-Belsen, his father to a Siberian gulag – and shares his views on politics, Israel, multi-culturalism, the state of Britain and much, much more with openness and candour.
Jeremy Hunt, former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, tells Harry Mount about his new book, Can We Be Great Again?: Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain.
He sympathises with Rachel Reeves about the prospect of dealing with a mammoth deficit – and recalls meeting Donald Trump at Chequers.
Gus Christie took Glyndebourne Opera over from his father George in 2000. He tells us about Glyndebourne’s beginnings when his grandfather John Christie fell in love with and married the soprano Audrey Mildmay and decided to build her an opera house. Gus also reflects on his own decision to step into his father’s shoes, describes his vision and tells us about the upcoming Autumn Festival.
Jonathan Dimbleby speaking about his new book, Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won the War, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on October 7th 2025.
Jeremy Hunt speaking about his new book, Can We Be Great Again?: Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on October 7th 2025.
Frances Wilson speaking about her new book, Electric Spark: The Enigma of Muriel Spark, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on October 7th 2025.
Gyles Brandreth tells Harry Mount about his new book about Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne and Gyles’s friend, Christopher Robin Milne. Winnie the Pooh first appeared in print 100 years ago.
A N Wilson in conversation with Harry Mount at this month's Dartmouth Literary Festival, sponsored by The Oldie.
A N Wilson chatted about two of his books, Goethe: His Faustian Life andVictoria: A Life. In a dazzling talk, he discusses Queen Victoria's hidden child with John Brown and how Goethe discovered evolution before Darwin.
Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific and fast writer, known mainly for his best-selling series The Number One Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana and featuring his popular heroine Mama Precious Ramotswe.
The books have been translated into 46 languages and sold millions worldwide. These and his numerous other books, including the Scotland Street series, have earned him a global reputation, a CBE and in 2024 a knighthood for services to Literature, Academia and Charity.
Journalist and broadcaster Rachel Johnson tells Harry Mount about her competitive upbringing, her imposter syndrome and the collapse of The Lady magazine.
Amanda Barrie speaking about her new book, I'm Still Here: My 90 Years, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025
Paula Byrne speaking about her new book, Six Weeks by the Sea: The Summer Jane Austen Fell in Love , at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025.”
Eleanor Doughty speaking about her new book, Heirs and Graces: A History of the Modern British Aristocracy, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on September 9th 2025.
At 93, Antonia Fraser, one of our leading historians, has written her 40th book – The House that Spoke: The History of a Home.
She tells Harry Mount about 70 years of writing, going all the way back to her 1954 debut, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. And she talks about her west London house, where she wrote her 1969 bestseller, Mary, Queen of Scots – and her late husband, Harold Pinter, wrote Betrayal in 1978.
Joshua Levine, one of our leading Second World War historians, talks to Harry Mount about the 85th anniversary of the Blitz - which began on September 7 1940.
Levine's book The Secret History of the Blitz led to him advising film director Steve McQueen for his 2024 film Blitz.
His book Forgotten Voices of Dunkirk inspired Christopher Nolan to make Dunkirk(2017), for which Levine was the historical advisor.
On Radio Oldie, Prince Andrew's biographer, Andrew Lownie, talks to Harry Mount. His new book Entitled - The Rise and Fall of the House of York is a number one bestseller. It reveals how Prince Andrew, the late Queen's favourite, was disgraced by his greed for money and sex.
Fay Maschler, the restaurant critic, tells Harry Mount about 53 years of reviewing restaurants. The Evening Standard critic for 48 years, she is now Tatler's critic. She reveals London's greatest restaurant - and explains why 1987 was the year that changed the British eating landscape for ever.
John Lloyd is a multi-award-winning television and radio producer. He is the creator of Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Blackadder, Spitting Image, QI, The Museum of Curiosity and much more. In 2011 was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting.
Rachel Kelly is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and mental health advocate, who has just published her new book The Gift of Teenagers, recently serialised in the Daily Mail. A former Times journalist, Rachel has been named one of the UK’s top five mental health influencers and is an official ambassador for the mental health charities Rethink Mental Illness and SANE.
Helen Lederer tells Harry Mount about a life in comedy.
A stand-up comedian at the Comedy Store, she has starred with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ben Elton and the late Rik Mayall, . And she excelled as Catriona, the dim Sloane in Absolutely Fabulous.
Sarah Sands is a well-known journalist. She edited Readers’ Digest, the Sunday Telegraph and the Evening Standard before becoming editor of Today, BBC Four’s flagship news programme. Recently she abandoned her career in exchange for a quieter, more fluid life and has written three books about monasticism, faith and inner peace. She also now organises pilgrimages. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her time in journalism, the deaths of her father, her brother and her ex-husband, Julian Sands and her quest for a very different way of life.
Philippa Langley speaking about her new book, The Princes in the Tower: Solving History's Greatest Cold Case, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
David Hepworth speaking about his new book, Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Why Rock Stars Never Retire, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
Lucy Moore speaking about her new book, Christopher Gibbs: His World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on July 15th 2025.
Oldie columnist and Irish writer, Mary Kenny, tells Harry Mount about her 60 years in journalism. She salutes her old boss, the novelist Edna O'Brien, and remembers her time leading the Irish Women's Liberation Movement. And she reflects on her biography of Lord Haw-Haw, the Nazi propagandist.
On Radio Oldie, writer, designer and singer Nicky Haslam does a perfect Truman Capote impression. He recalls meeting Marilyn Monroe and Cole Porter. He reveals Diana Cooper's recipe for a good party – 'Too much to drink and a chocolate pudding.' And he explains why the Sistine Chapel is common.
As we head towards the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13th July, Charlotte Metcalf talks to the writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen, then a hugely successful editor of magazines like New Musical Express and Time Out, Mark was plucked from The Old Grey Whistle Test to be one of the main television anchors on the concert. He looks back at a phenomenal event and how it changed our attitudes to rock music and its role forever.
Tracy Chevalier speaking about her new book, The Glassmaker, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
Sinclair McKay speaking about his new book, Saint Petersburg: Sacrifice & Redemption in the City that Defied Hitler, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
Anne Sebba speaking about her new book, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on June 24th 2025.
Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, has lived at Belvoir Castle for nearly 25 years, transforming it into a going commercial concern and a comfortable home for her five children. On the eve of her oldest daughter’s wedding, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her book, The Accidental Duchess, her podcast and her sense of duty and commitment to keeping Belvoir a thriving concern for the next generation.
James Holland is an eminent historian who specialises in the Second World War and has numerous books, television programmes and a podcast to his name. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the forthcoming Chalke History Festival, which he co-founded in 2011, originally to raise money for a cricket pavilion. Chalke is now the biggest history festival in the world and James tells us what to expect from this year’s exciting line-up at a dangerous time when he believes learning lessons from history is more important than ever.
Bruce Beresford, director of Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy, tells Harry Mount why films have got too long - and what made his great friend Barry Humphries such a comic genius
Nicholas Coleridge, awarded a Knighthood in 2022 for services to Museums, Publishing and the Creative Industries, has had a long career at the helm of Condé Nast, followed by ten years at the Victoria and Albert Musuem. Recently installed as Provost of Eton, Charlotte Metcalf talks to him about his new role and they look back over his extraordinary career in fashion, publishing and journalism during the golden era of magazines.
Graydon Carter, editor of Air Mail and former editor of Vanity Fair, tells Harry Mount about his memoir, When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines. He talks about his greatest scoop – revealing who the real Deep Throat was in the Watergate scandal – and how he nicknamed Donald Trump the 'short-fingered vulgarian'.
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are one of our finest TV screenwriting partnerships. They tell Harry Mount about their shows Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart - and why Donald Trump would be perfect for an American version of The New Statesman.
Theo Fennell is one of Britain’s most renowned jewellers, having made his name in the eighties by attracting a new generation, including numerous rockstars and celebrities, to his colourful jewellery and witty silver pieces like the silver Marmite lid. Following a 2007 exhibition of his jewellery at the Museum of Mankind on Burlington Gardens, Theo became a champion of and spokesperson for his craft, encouraging people to see the beauty in beautifully made pieces rather than expensive, branded bling. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his life, his career and his latest - and very funny - book, The Glory Years: More Chapters of Accidents, which is the follow up to his first acclaimed book, I Fear for This Boy
Sir Trevor McDonald speaking about his new memoir, On Cricket, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
Adam Nicolson speaking about his new book, Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
Angela V John speaking about her new book, Behind the Scenes: the Dramatic Lives of Philip Burton, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.
Tom Hodgkinson tells Harry Mount about his industrious 32 years as editor of The Idler magazine. He talks about idling, his hero, Dr Johnson, and his upcoming books on the Stoics and Socrates.
Kate Summerscale speaking about her new book, The Peepshow: the Murders at 10 Rillington Place, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
Andrew Pierce speaking about his new book, Finding Margaret: Solving the Mystery of my Birth Mother, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
Sandy Nairne speaking about his new book, Titan of the Thames: the Life of Lord Desborough, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.
Loyd Grossman is the writer, author, broadcaster, television presenter and cultural campaigner. He has served on and chairs numerous boards including the Royal Society of Arts, the organisation he currently chairs, which he sees as pivotal in restoring a sense of enlightened optimism to Britain. He tells Charlotte about his upbringing in America, his career in television and magazines, his books and his passion for heritage and churches. He also talks about playing the guitar, being in a band, trying to be a rock star and how his four wire-haired dachshunds keep him active and fit.
Nicole Farhi is a household name as a fashion designer, having helped found French Connection with Stephen Marks before setting up her eponymous fashion and homeware brand with a popular concept store at 202 Westbourne Grove. Now she’s turned her back on fashion to sculpt and has a new exhibition, J’Accuse, at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing. It comprises 24 of her signature small painted busts, of people incarcerated or executed for crimes they did not commit. She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the travesties of justice which inspired J’Accuse and why she abandoned fashion for sculpture. She describes her upbringing in Nice and her time working in fashion before talking about her life now and her marriage to the playwright David Hare.
There will be a discussion between Nicole Farhi and Matthew Foot, APPEAL’s Co-Director and criminal defence solicitor at Pitzhanger Gallery on 1 May.
Lynn Barber, frequently nicknamed ‘the Demon Barber’, is one of the most multiple award-winning, respected and formidable interviewers and writers of her generation. She tells Charlotte Metcalf about her upbringing, which was the subject of the 2009 film An Education starring Carey Mulligan as Lynn, and how it shaped her ability to ask those probing - sometimes combative - questions for which she’s known. She gives us insights into her happy family life until her husband’s early death and reveals whom she’s enjoyed – and not enjoyed - interviewing and talks about her love of art and artists, as reflected in her new book A Little Art Education.
Roger Lewis tells Harry Mount about his new book on Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor – and about the genius and sheer oddness of Peter Sellers, on his centenary.
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Elisabeth Luard, The Oldie's cookery correspondent, shows how you can make money out of your own Substack column.
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, William Cook, The Oldie's theatre critic, gives you the ideal essay plan for a travel feature.
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Sam Leith, Literary Editor of The Spectator, talks about how to get a book review and how to write it properly.
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Mary Kenny, Oldie columnist and a journalist for 60 years, explains how to make columns fresh and gripping.
Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library on 13th March 2025, Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, reveals his tips on how to pitch articles to magazines and newspapers.
Simon Williams tells Charlotte Metcalf about playing Major Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs, and starring in The Archers. He and his wife, Lucy Fleming, play her parents, Peter Fleming and Celia Johnson, in Posting Letters to the Moon
Roger McGough was one of the Liverpool or Mersey Poets alongside Brian Patten and the late Adrian Henry. Today he’s known as the ‘godfather of modern poetry’ and continues to present BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please, a role he’s held since 1979. He’s an OBE and CBE, the last awarded in 2004 for Services to Literature. On Radio Oldie he talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book of The Collected Poems 1959-2024, growing up in Liverpool, performing with the Scaffold and his life as an author, playwright and poet.
Ben MacIntyre speaking about his new book, The Siege: the Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
A. N. Wilson speaking about his new book, Goethe: His Faustian Life - the Extraordinary Story of Modern Germany, a Troubled Genius and the Poem that Made our World, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
Hugo Vickers speaking about his new book, Muse to Power: the Untold Story of Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 11th 2025.
Charles Moore tells Harry Mount how Margaret Thatcher became Conservative leader 50 years ago - and how she got on with the Queen. Lady Thatcher would have been 100 on October 13th this year. In September, Charles Moore will publish The Authorised Biography of Margaret Thatcher: Single-volume Centenary Edition.
Matthew Norman, the Oldie’s Grumpy Old Man columnist, tells Harry Mount about creating the nickname ‘Mandy’ for Peter Mandelson – and Mandy’s outraged reaction. And he recalls meeting Bernard Manning – and his favourite Bernard Manning gag.
Britain’s greatest man of letters, A. N. Wilson, tells Harry Mount about the genius of Goethe, the decline of the Church of England and his addiction to journalism.
Sir Ben Okri, the Booker Prize-winning author and poet, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his latest book, Madame Sosotris and the Festival for The Broken Hearted, and his collection of African stories for Everyman. He talks to her about being broken hearted, how the Booker Prize changed his life, being homeless and the acclaimed poem he wrote in response to the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as sharing his views on the current state of our unsettled world.
Victoria Hislop speaking about her new book, The Figurine, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.
James Stourton speaking about his new book, Rogues & Scholars: Boom and Bust in the London Art Market, 1945-2000, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”
Liz Hodgkinson speaking about her new book, A Mink Coat in St Neots, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on February 11th 2025.”
One of our leading architectural historians, Lucinda Lambton tells Harry Mount about Hebridean castles, eccentric lavatories and Overlooked Britain - her Oldie column.
Elisabeth Luard talks to Charlotte Metcalf with warmth and candour about her passion for cooking and food, her extensive travels, her upbringing in Uruguay and time as a debutante in London during the 50s, motherhood, her long marriage to Nicholas Luard, the one-time owner of Private Eye and founder of the satirical Establishment Club with Peter Cook. She also describes the harrowing death of her daughter to AIDS and talks about her life now and loving - finally - having a ‘room of her own’ in Acton.
Peter York is a British author and cultural and social commentator, perhaps best know for co-authoring The Official Sloane Rangers Handbook with Ann Barr in 1982. He was Style Editor of Harpers & Queen for ten years and recently started up a new podcast about culture wars, the subject of his latest book A Dead Cat On Your Table.
Hugh Johnson speaking about his new book, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2025, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.”
Tim Marshall speaking about his new book, Prisoners Of Geography: the Quiz Book, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.
Chris Patten speaking about his memoir, The Hong Kong Diaries, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London's National Liberal Club, on January 21st 2025.
Robert Bathurst, star of Cold Feet and Toast of London, is playing Jeff Bernard in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell in Jeff’s old haunt, the Coach & Horses. He tells Harry Mount what a sublime writer Bernard was.
Edward Stourton has worked in broadcasting for over 40 years and was a presenter on Today for many years. He continues to present BBC Radio 4 programmes like Sunday and The World at One. He’s also been a foreign correspondent for Channel Four, ITN and the BBC and has written several books, including his recent memoir, Confessions, is now out in paperback with a new postscript commenting on how presenting news has changed during his career. He was educated at Ampleforth and Cambridge.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Kenneth Cranham CBE is a Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor. His most notable screen roles were in Oliver!, Up Pompeii, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Chocolat, Layer Cake, Gangster No. 1, Hot Fuzz, Maleficent and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.
William Boyd is a British novelist, short story, writer and screenwriter. Between 1980 and 1983, Boyd was a lecturer in English at St. Hilda's College, Oxford and it was while he was there that his first novel, A Good Man in Africa (1981) was published.
He was also a television critic for the New Statesman between 1981 and 1983. Boyd was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for services to literature. William Boyd has written numerous books, screenplays, short stories and plays.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Sir John Ronald Leon, 4th Baronet (born 16 August 1934), known professionally as John Standing, is an English actor.
Standing is best known for roles in the 1955 production of Titus Andronicus starring Laurence Olivier and his wife Vivien Leigh, and for leading parts in many plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Private Lives with Maggie Smith.
John Standing has appeared in major roles on television, including: The First Churchills (1969), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979), The Choir (1995) and King Solomon's Mines (2004). John Standing is married to Sarah Standing.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder.
Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succeeds again in making the ancient stories accessible, gently modernising the language and dotting his journey with explanatory and often amusing footnotes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stephen Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. Fry first came to prominence as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. In 1986-1989 Fry starred in Blackadder.
Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succeeds again in making the ancient stories accessible, gently modernising the language and dotting his journey with explanatory and often amusing footnotes.
Listen to Sam Leith on The Haunted Wood, A History of Childhood Reading.Sam was speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 10th December 2024. Sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.
Gyles Brandreth: Breaking the Code: Westminster Diaries & 7 Secrets of Happiness & Prose & Cons: The English Language in Just a Minute.
Stephen Fry speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 10th December on his latest book Odyssey.
The lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia. Photos by Neil Spence.
Thomas Pakenham, 91, tells Harry Mount about his new book, The Tree Hunters. From the 17th century to the 19th century, British daredevils headed across the world to bring back seeds for arboretums back home. Among them was David Douglas, who brought back the Douglas Fir - and was gored to death by a wild bull in Hawaii in 1834. Thomas also recalls his own tree-hunting expeditions to bring back seeds from Tibet to his house, Tullynally, in County Westmeath, Ireland.
John Suchet is an English author, television news journalist and presenter of classical music on Classic FM. He is a huge fan of Beethoven, writing 8 books on the composer. Suchet's journalistic career began when he worked as a graduate trainee at the Reuters news agency in 1967 and later joined the BBC News a sub-editor for the Nine O'Clock News from 1970 to 1971. Suchet worked at ITN as a scriptwriter/sub-editor from 1972 and was a newsreader and reporter until his retirement from ITN in 2004. Suchet has two brothers, one of whom is the actor Sir David Suchet.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Don Black is one of England's best-known lyricists, famous for Diamonds Are Forever and other James Bond theme tunes that he wrote with John Barry. Don was born in 1938 in Hackney, the youngest of five children from Jewish-born immigrants from the Ukraine. Black has worked in the music industry for decades, helping John Barry write music for well-known films such as Out of Africa. More recently, Don Black worked on the adaptation of Sunset Boulevard. Black has worked on a multitude of musical theatre with Andrew Lloyd-Webber.
Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry – Oldie Lead in his Pencil Award. By Quentin Letts
Cartoonist Stan ‘Mac’ McMurtry says that, during his decades on Fleet Street, his duty has been to make news pages brighter ‘by putting in a laugh’.
Ever-modest Mac, 88, undersells his genius. His drawings in the Daily Sketch, Daily Mail and, to this day, the Mail on Sunday have always done more than that. Since the 1960s they have humanised the news, reminding us that after every thermonuclear disaster there will be some office cleaner surveying the mess, leaning on a broom with wry detachment and a half-smoked fag.
The fashion for newspaper cartoons has drifted towards party-political indignation and starkness of nib. Mac’s art is softer. His work is in the tradition of the Bystander’s Bruce Bairnsfather, the Daily Express’s Carl Giles and the Evening Standard’s Jak. The shading is gentle and the visual effect more rounded than sharp-edged. Mac’s cartoons include domestic fixtures such as telephones, wastepaper bins, steaming teacups and – when drawing the late Queen – corgis. During the Gulf War, they were given doggy gasmasks.
Mac has always liked drawing the Royal Family, be it Charles’s geraniums legging it out of the greenhouse before he could start talking to them or Prince Philip holding a banner saying ‘Not Bloody Likely!’ when Lilibet was on the blower to William and Kate, asking if they needed a babysitter. Bishops and the police are favourite subjects, too. The humour, while never woke, is more affectionate than angry.
When Nick Clegg wanted to legalise drugs, Mac had a tramp toking up on a huge joint saying, ‘This is good stuff - I can see a Lib Dem landslide’. During the pandemic Mac drew a police car chasing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, an officer bawling ‘Oy! Two metres apart!’
For half a century, his work graced the pages of the Mail, reassuring readers that they were not alone in thinking officialdom dotty. He drew their bedrooms, their scuffed shoes, their office canteens, their lives. When he retired, the paper missed the mollifying balance of his stoical humour. But he was soon back on Sundays.
Many cartoonists are prey to glumness. Not Mac. He cheerfully says he has been ‘so lucky’. It’s that modesty again. This brilliant artist is a delightful man and generous colleague. And Oldie readers will be assured to learn that ‘old people are easier to draw because of their wrinkles’.
His favourite of all time? Golda Meir.
Quentin Letts **is the Daily Mail's Parliamentary Sketchwriter
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Photos by Neil Spence Photography**
Nanette: "I had my 90th a few weeks ago. I woke up one morning and I didn’t feel 90 at all... I felt more like 104!
It was one of those awful mornings with bills and all those terrible things that come in the mail. One of the other things in the mail was a letter from Gyles saying I was going to get this award. I was thrilled. I’m a big fan of the magazine.
How should I say thank you… I thought of all those acceptance speeches on TV. People who say they have nothing prepared and then bring out 10 pages. Others who thank God, thank their family, thank their dog, thank EVERYONE.
I’m just going to say thank you to Gyles and to The Oldie magazine which I love.
This is an incredible, incredible treat.
Now I don’t feel 90. I feel 82 and a half."
John: "Ok right. No mother-in-law jokes.
The last thing in a million years I wanted was to be an actor. I wanted to be a painter. I came from a whole family of actors and it’s the last thing in the world I wanted to do.
I was a soldier for a couple of years, and then finally my mother said you can't be a painter, you must drop out of art school - you must be an actor.
I hadn't been to drama school or done any training but I learnt a bit of Shakespeare, flung myself on the ground at an audition in Stratford and got myself a position as spear thrower. That was of course in Titus Andronicus and the rest is history. I've been an actor for god knows how long, far too long really.
But anyway how wonderful to get an award from a magazine I’ve never read - the title always put me off!"
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Photos by Neil Spence Photography
Manette Baillie, Oldie Flying Angel of the Year
By Harry Mount
This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver.
At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 13,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk.
Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do were nothing new to Manette, of Benhall, Suffolk.
“It was a bit scary. I must admit I just shut my eyes firmly – very firmly,” she said of the jump, which raised £30,000 for the Benhall Village Social Club, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and East Anglia Air Ambulance.
Just days before her jump, Manette got a personal message from the Prince of Wales on her 102nd birthday, wishing her a happy birthday and saying he and the Princess of Wales would be thinking of her during her mighty leap into the unknown.
The Prince of Wales said of the charities she was helping, ‘They are tremendous organisations who help so many people. From my time with East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.’
Manette, who was married to a paratrooper, is no stranger to adventure. On her 100th birthday, she zoomed round Silverstone in a Ferrari at 130mph.
‘The Air Ambulance,’ Manette explained, ‘is close to my heart because a helicopter saved my son’s life on the Isle of Wight after a diving accident in 1969. Even now, every Saturday, I hold a coffee morning at my cottage with everyone chipping in to donate money.”
She chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association because her great niece suffers from the condition.
Manette said of the Benhall & Sternfield Village Social Club, ‘I want to help do it up for the next generation. It started as a rickety tin hut for those coming home from the First World War. No doubt there’ll be more wars and young people will need a place to gather.’
Manette had planned a small party to celebrate her 102nd birthday but she then heard of a friend’s father who skydived at 85. She says, ‘If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I.’
Manette, who holds gatherings at her cottage and challenges visitors to games, added, ‘Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. Oh, and don’t forget to party!’
By the way, her gin mornings are legendary throughout Suffolk.
This summer, Manette Baillie parachuted her way into the nation’s hearts as Britain’s oldest skydiver.
At 102, Manette made her first ever jump, plunging from 7,000 feet up in the air over Beccles Airfield, Suffolk.
Having served as a Wren in World War II, plucky feats of derring do were nothing new to Manette of Benhall, Suffolk.
“It was a bit scary. I must admit I just shut my eyes firmly – very firmly,” she said of the jump, which raised £30,000 for the Benhall Village Social Club, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and East Anglia Air Ambulance.
Just days before her jump, Manette got a personal message from the Prince of Wales on her 102nd birthday, wishing her a happy birthday and saying he and the Princess of Wales would be thinking of her during her mighty leap into the unknown.
The Prince of Wales said of the charities she was helping, ‘They are tremendous organisations who help so many people. From my time with East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.’
Manette, who was married to a paratrooper, is no stranger to adventure. On her 100th birthday, she zoomed round Silverstone in a Ferrari at 130mph.
‘The Air Ambulance,’ Manette explained, ‘is close to my heart because a helicopter saved my son’s life on the Isle of Wight after a diving accident in 1969. Even now, every Saturday, I hold a coffee morning at my cottage with everyone chipping in to donate money.”
She chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association because her great niece suffers from the condition.
Manette said of the Benhall & Sternfield Village Social Club, ‘I want to help do it up for the next generation. It started as a rickety tin hut for those coming home from the First World War. No doubt there’ll be more wars and young people will need a place to gather.’
Manette had planned a small party to celebrate her 102nd birthday but she then heard of a friend’s father who skydived at 85. She says, ‘If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I.’
Manette, who holds gatherings at her cottage and challenges visitors to games, added, ‘Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. Oh, and don’t forget to party!’
By the way, her gin mornings are legendary throughout Suffolk.
"Short speech. Short script.
Act 1. Old. Act 2. Old fart. Act 3. Dead.
Somewhere lurking between the acts The Oldie magazine, these awards... What an honour, thank you. I’m really overwhelmed.
It’s great.
Cut."
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Photos by Neil Spence Photography
"I just want to say thank you for the remarkable account of what I’ve done and so on and so forth and how marvellous are all the people here."
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Photo by Neil Spence Photography
"I’ve got a little thing written down...
I feel very embarrassed. I’m very honoured to receive this but it's also strange to me to be here, as a poor working class kid from South London.
I can only thank my grandma. She taught me everything. She taught me to write a diary, to scrapbook, the art of collecting things, to say the alphabet backwards.
Anyone else?
Someone’s nodding over there... (at the request of a wayward heckle Wyman does prove he can still say the alphabet backwards much to our delight)
I can never thank my grandma for what she did for me. I wouldn’t be me without all she’s done. I get very emotional when I speak about her. I simply wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for her.
She sadly died at the age of 61, before I had fame and fortune really, and I never got to thank her for what she did for me.
However, one thing I want to share which I will always remember is that she used to say to me to grow up thinking about the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling."
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Photos by Neil Spence Photography
Hugo Vickers speaks to Harry Mount about his latest book on Clarissa: Muse to Power, The Untold Story of Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon.
Our podcasts are sponsored by Baillie Gifford.
Dame Jacqueline Wilson tells The Oldie Literary Lunch how she wrote her first-ever sex scene. Think Again is her first adult book.The Oldie Literary Lunch took place on 12th November 2024 at The National Liberal Club, sponsored by Kirker Holidays and photos by Neil Spence photography.
Beethoven expert John Suchet tells The Oldie why he has written his eighth book on Beethoven and why this story is personal to him.
The Oldie Literary lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on 12th November 2024, sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence.
Listen and watch Bendor Grosvenor talking about The Invention of British Art at The Oldie Literary Lunch 12th November 2024.
The lunch was sponsored by Kirker Holidays. Photos by Neil Spence Photography.
Craig Brown, the funniest man alive, tells Harry Mount about his latest book A Voyage Around The Queen. Listen here.
The Oldie podcast is sponsored by Baillie Gifford
Listen to Leslie Caron, aged 93, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf.
Multi-award winner Leslie Caron was born in 1931 and is a French and American actress and dancer. Leslie is best known for her role in Gigi.
As Americans go to the polls, listen to Antonia Fraser on taking a dip in the White House pool with President Kennedy – in Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume.
In March 1962, Antonia Fraser and her husband, Conservative MP Hugh Fraser, dropped in on President Kennedy at the White House. They joined him for a dip in the White House pool - and Antonia Fraser borrowed Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume
Hugh Fraser, my first husband, MP for Stafford and Stone since 1945, was an old friend of Jack Kennedy’s. They were exact contemporaries and first knew each other when Joe Kennedy was American Ambassador to London in 1938.
In 1962, Hugh was Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. On his way back from an official visit to British Guiana, he joined me at the British Embassy in Washington, as guests of another contemporary, David Ormsby-Gore, the new Ambassador. We were invited to swim in the White House pool by the President.
In my photograph album, I wrote beneath the photo: Probably the most worthwhile photograph I have ever taken. First and foremost, Hugh bathing in the White House pool. Also present the President of the United States. I actually took this photograph myself, never believing it would come out (it was the last one on the reel). Our bathe in the White House pool was really the high point of our stay in Washington – and indeed of my stay in America. I managed to squeeze into Jackie Kennedy’s bathing dress and cavorted in the boiling pool [warmed up to help JFK’s back problems], hoping to catch the Presidential eye, while Hugh buttonholed him about British Guiana.
Listen to Griff Rhys Jones in conversation with Harry Mount.
Regular contributor to The Oldie, Griff Rhys Jones is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and television presenter. He starred in a number of television series with his comedy partner, Mel Smith.
War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie.
Listen to Kenneth reciting Disabled by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944.
Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Layer Cake in 2004.
War Poems, recited by Kenneth Cranham, specially for The Oldie.
Listen to Kenneth reciting Dulce Et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen. Kenneth Cranham was born towards the end of the Second World War on 12 December 1944.
Kenneth Cranham, Scottish film, television, radio and stage actor, is best known for Oliver! in 1968 and more recent films such as Layer Cake in 2004.
50 years after the Lord Lucan murder, click here to listen to Algy Cluff talk about his memories of Lucan – and the grisly truth about who killed the family nanny, Sandra Rivett. On 7 November 1974, Lord Lucan vanished without a trace.
Listen here to Algy Cluff in conversation with Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie. Algy, whose real name is John Gordon Cluff was a serial oil and gas entrepreneur. Algy has certainly had his fair share of experiences, from serving in the Guards and the SAS to writing dispatches from Vietnam for The Guardian. He was the former owner of The Spectator, in the 1980s, selling on the magazine to the Telegraph Group.
Pam Ayres recounted poetry that slipped off her tongue. It is no wonder that she is one of Britain's most famous poets.
The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
Our most loved and famous cricket commentator tells The Oldie Literary Lunch on 22nd October 2024 about his love of the game and his worry for the future of cricket and the T20 franchise.
The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
Headlines were made as ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman aged 88 broke into tears as he remembered foraging for food in the war.
The Oldie Literary Lunch was held on 22nd October 2024 at The National Liberal Club and kindly sponsored by Kirker Holidays. All photos by Neil Spence Photography.
The Oldie magazine sponsored The Dorchester Literary Festival which ran for several days in the beautiful and historic market town.
Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, interviewed Giles Wood and Mary Killen, Britain's most favourite couple.
Listen here to what they had to say.
At 92, the Oldie's new columnist, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, has written a new book, Patchwork Pieces. She tells Harry Mount all about Guy Fawkes – and the sex life of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Nature guru Philippa Forester spent years in America with bears and wolves. She now returns to the UK writing about Wild Woman and told The Oldie Literary Lunch about her journey. The Literary Lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on Tuesday 13th August, kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne. Recordings by Tom Assheton.
Architect Paul Davis known as Mr Chelsea addressed The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 13th August 2024 at The National Liberal Club about his latest book, available to buy at RIBA, called 'Mr Chelsea: A Life in Rock n' Roll & Architecture From The Kings Road To Toyko. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne. Recordings by Tom Assheton.
Absolutely Fabulous Helen Lederer spoke The Oldie Literary Lunch on 13th August 2024 about her biography Not That I'm Bitter. The audience was in stitches as she spoke candidly about sex, fame and being a woman. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Amelia Milne and recordings by Tom Assheton.
Dame Zandra Rhodes brought colour to The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 speaking to the audience about her biography Iconic. The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photos by Neil Spence and recordings by Tom Assheton.
Ingrid Seward, Royal biographer and Editor-in-chief at Majesty magazine, addressed The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 about King Charles III and his mother, with royal scoops and revelations, revealing that Princess Diana and Charles HAD been in love. Listen here! The lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Photographs by Neil Spence and recordings by Tom Assheton.
Helen McGinn, wine host of Saturday Kitchen on BBC One, speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 23rd July 2024 about her latest novel Island of Dreams and all things wine. Photographs by Neil Spence Photography and the lunch was kindly sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers. Recordings by Tom Assheton.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Supplements Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
The Oldie hosted a Literary Lunch in Salisbury at The Guildhall on Tuesday 11th June to raise money for the Salisbury Samaritans, a charity we closely support. The lunch was sponsored by our friends at Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Our guest speakers were Katie Hickman, Linda McDougall and Rev Richard Coles.
Richard Colesis an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest. Appearing with Jimmy Somerville in the the 1980s band the Communards, they achieved 3 UK top ten hits, including 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.
The Oldie hosted a Literary Lunch in Salisbury at The Guildhall on Tuesday 11th June to raise money for the Salisbury Samaritans, a charity we closely support. The lunch was sponsored by our friends at Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Our guest speakers were Katie Hickman, Linda McDougall and Rev Richard Coles.
Linda McDougall is a New Zealand-born journalist, television producer and author. She is also known for being the wife of the late Austin Mitchell, who was a British journalist and the Labour Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby from a 1977 by-election until 2015. She is the author of Cherie: The Perfect Life of Mrs Blair and Westminster Women. She lives in North Yorkshire.
The Oldie hosted a Literary Lunch in Salisbury at The Guildhall on Tuesday 11th June to raise money for the Salisbury Samaritans, a charity we closely support. The lunch was sponsored by our friends at Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Our guest speakers were Katie Hickman, Linda McDougall and Rev Richard Coles.
Katie Hickman is an English novelist, historian and travel writer. She was born in new Zealand. She is the author of ten books, including two best-selling history books, which between them have sold more than a quarter of a million copies worldwide.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Subscriptions Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Rebecca Hossack is the Australian art gallerist known for introducing Aboriginal art to England and her beautiful Fitzrovia gallery. She is both funny and outspoken about championing lesser-known artists, otherwise ignored by an art establishment that she criticizes for its focus on profit and trends at the expense of true talent.
Charlotte Metcalf is a journalist, editor, award-winning documentary film-maker and was co-presenter of the Break Out Culture podcast. She is Subscriptions Editor and a frequent contributor at The Oldie.
Edward Burtynsky is a Canadian artist and photographer and award-winning film-maker. A recent major retrospective at London’s Saatchi Gallery showed his large format photographs, many vast, of industrial landscapes all over the world. While they resemble beautiful abstract paintings, they depict industrialisation’s devastating impact on nature and human existence.
Mary Killen, a regular Oldie contributor and commander of the Fashion and Beauty section, talks with Tom about all matters except her time on telly (no names no pack drill). Mary has been at work for newspapers and magazines for many years; she currently writes for the Catholic Herald, the Spectator, London Review of Books, the Lady and others … and especially The Oldie.
Writing Love From Venice has "literally given me a new lease of life" – Gill Johnson speaking at The Oldie lunch
Gill Johnson told The Oldie, 'I have never published a word in my life, never have I had any ambition to do so, so how did a over 90 year old non-celebrity first time author get to write a book?'
Gill stayed seated and delivered a evocative speech about Love From Venice, her book focused on her 25th year of her life, when she left The National Gallery in pursuit of her love David Ross who had 'an exotic Russian Scottish heritage'.
Gill found herself working for a grand Italian family in Venice and all the stories that ensued.
The book has 'literally given me a new lease of life' as Gill fought away tears, sitting next to her brother and highly esteemed wine writer Hugh Johnson (to whom she had dedicated the book) and her son, writer, Rory Ross. Rory held the microphone for Gill. The Oldie audience applauded.
As the 5th July beckons, how topical that Geoffrey Wheatcroft spoke to The Oldie about 'Bloody Panico: Or, Whatever Happened to The Tory Party'. The election is more 'send in the clowns' than 'things can only get better'.
Geoffrey retorted, 'I have never felt more gratitude to anyone than I do to Rishi Sunak, calling this election just as my book is published!'
Liz Truss was due to be speaking at the Oldie Literary Lunch, but pulled out due to election commitments in Norfolk. Liz was due to speak about how the Tory party can save the world, but Geoffrey Wheatcroft would be one person that does not agree.
Liz Truss's time as Prime Minister reminded Geoffrey of 19 years ago, when he published his book 'The Strange Death of Tory England' to which his latest book is a 'kind of afterthought'. The book was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Book Prize. 'Some bright spark doing the publicity' thought that it would be amusing to have a Booker prize style dinner and Geoffrey sat next-door to the leader of the Conservative party at that time, Michael Howard, leader of the Opposition. They made light banter and the same bright spark who was doing the publicity, thought it would be a good idea to film the judges of the prize in their deliberations and to show it on a huge screen. 14 years ago Geoffrey was a judge for the Orwell prize with Ferdinand Mount and 'thank god our deliberations weren't filmed'. The screen showed the judges discussing the different books. Geoffrey confided to the audience that had to listen to Michael Howard speaking in the 'most contentious tones' about his book, 'whose author he was sitting next to'.
Geoffrey said that although he was teased for writing the book at the time 'without being too self-congratulatory' it was ahead of its time!
Geoffrey seriously said the Conservatives weren't just heading to 'a severe defeat, but towards something a lot more terminal'
Geoffrey went on to speak about Boris Johnson, whose real name is, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson and uses the stage name Boris 'a bit like Beyonce, or Sting!' In 2014, Boris had dinner with Spectator journalist, Anne Applebaum, whom he told that no one sane would ever leave the European Union. Two years later, he went back on his word. Geoffrey said 'it was a sad day for British Politics' when the UK decided to leave, due to an 'unprincipled opportunist'.
Since Brexit, the Tories have 'staggered from one disaster, to one screw-up' said Geoffrey, 'they don't know who they quite are anymore'.
When Liz Truss pulled out of The Oldie Literary Lunch, leading classicist author, Daisy Dunn, stepped in.
Daisy, who wrote the Ladybird guide to Homer, has just written 'The Missing Thread', which is a new history of the ancient world through women.
Daisy set the record straight that in no way was this a history, where she had shoehorned 'some girls into the grand narrative of ancient history for the sake of equality and branding it woke, to which I respond ladies and gentleman, I write for The Spectator'.
Following Geoffrey Wheatcroft's speech, Daisy told the audience:
'You will notice that I'm not Liz Truss either, for which I'm sorry. Or maybe I'm not.'
Daisy met Liz Truss for the first time 'about 9 months after she left Downing Street or to put it another way, about 10 months after she arrived at Downing Street and she was actually very friendly so I am sort of sorry not to see her in some respects.'
Daisy came to The Oldie lunch thinking of something that Liz had once said that 'nobody wants to be in a room, or their business to be funded, because they are a woman. Of all the things that Liz Truss has said, I happen to agree with that one'.
Wearing an elegant cream suit and American accent, almost remnant of Wallis Simpson, historian Jane admitted to The Oldie audience of the huge challenges, facing her when writing about Edward VIII.
"There is no denying that the material I presented in Once A King paints a very different portrait of Edward VIII than the one that we have in recent years become all too familiar with" - a monarch with selfish ambitions and Nazi sympathies. When the Duchess died in 1986, a "suffering narrative has prevented a balanced understanding of Edward VIII."
She confessed to being "clearly very much a newbie, not very much an oldie!"
Jane announced: "I am no idealist, but I recognise that one book, however startling, will not overturn decades of judgements about this most controversial of British royals".
It was rather ironic that Lady Anne Somerset addressed The Oldie about her latest book on Queen Victoria, at The National Liberal Club, yesterday because as Gladstone said of Queen Victoria,"there is no greater Tory in the land!"
"It's wonderful to be talking to you here today, the only thing that is perhaps a bit awkward is that the event is taking place in The National Liberal Club!"
The club was founded in 1882 by William Gladstone for the Liberal cause - certainly not a cause close to Queen Victoria's heart! Queen Victoria had an eye for the men, strongly supporting Lord Melbourne's Whig movement, only because "she simply adored the enchanting Lord Melbourne", finally accepting the Tories in 1841, "what does she owe them (the Tories)? Nothing but hate!"
Politicians these days can sit easy. Nothing compares to Queen Victoria with her "absurdly high notions" of the amount of political control she ought to exercise. She despised Gladstone whom she challenged, but when Tory, Benjamin Disraeli, became Prime Minister in 1874, he knew how to work the monarch successfully:
"Every one likes flattery and when you come to monarchy, you should lay it on with a trowel".
Twentieth Century Heroines.
1.Citation 2. Edith Cavell 3. Maxine Elliott 4. Gertrude Bell 5. WW2 Operations 6. Ursula Graham Bower 7. MI9 a. Pat O’Leary Line b. Nancy Wake c. Dédé d. Mary Lindell 8. Virginia Hall 9. Special Operations Executive 10. SOE Women a. Vera Atkins b. Noor Khan c. Violette Szabo d. Odette Churchill 11. Bletchley Park 12. The Banka Island Massacre 13. Conclusion
Many are names in the wartime Hall of Fame. Yet others have faded from view and collective memory. All are heroines and all sacrificed much in two world wars to defend their country and help others in need. As nurses or secret agents, from Edith Cavell to Violette Szabo, they stand as extraordinary examples of courage, fortitude, and duty.
Reading from Leo Marks code poem for Violette Zabo. Read by David Hartley
First published: https://www.bloodyviolenthistory.com
The Oldie subscriptions: https://www.theoldie.co.uk
"You would make a good Labour MP!" said Chaplin, and "Selfish, arrogant he believes he is at the centre of the world - he is a great man!" said Charles de Gaulle about Churchill. Sinclair McKay reveals Winston's encounters at The Oldie Literary Lunch.
Why is Sinclair's book called '90 Encounters?' Well, Churchill was the 'dazzling' age of 90 when he died, Sinclair told The Oldie.
Sinclair continued, 'there have been many books written about Churchill, but not one that researches his encounters'. We asked Sinclair what view he had of Churchill post writing the book - 'Churchill was the opposite of cancel culture' and kept enemies 'close to his bosom' replied Sinclair.
The Oldie Lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Photos by Neil Spence Photography. Audio by Tom Assheton. Held at The National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London.
'There is a sort-of link between my two books', Rick Stroud told The Oldie audience today, 'I have had an enormous amount of satisfaction trying to write about very, very brave women'.
Rick's latest book 'I'm Not Afraid of Looking Into The Rifles' was sold to Publisher, Simon & Schuster on what would have been his late daughter Nell's 47th birthday (in 2020).
'There is a link to (my books), and that is Lonely Courage is dedicated to my daughter Nell who died of cancer, she was a very, very brave woman and ran a circus, and I'm Not Afraid Of Looking Into The Rifles was sold to publisher Simon Schulster by a sad coincidence on what would have been her 47th birthday, but by then she left us'. Rick had tears in his eyes. He ended his speech with the poem 'The Life That I Have' by Leo Marks.
The Oldie Lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Photos by Neil Spence Photography. Audio by Tom Assheton. Held at The National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London.
Charles Spencer recounted, to The Oldie Literary Lunch today, the stories of 24 boys who had been at Maidwell Hall in 1972 and the terrifying story of how the Headmaster's religion had affected them.
The Headmaster told one boy that he was 'outraged that the boy's parents were getting divorced'. This was something that the boy was clearly struggling with. The Headmaster announced 'I think you should consider me as your father now'. The boy was taken down on Sunday evenings for what were called 'Sunday Night Confessions'. He had to strip and tell the Headmaster all the things that he had done wrong that week. He hadn't done anything wrong, so he invented 'little schoolboy crimes' said Spencer.
Charles Spencer told The Oldie Literary Lunch 'Maidwell Hall is actually a very good school now - that's not lawyers asking me to say that'. Charles told us: 'I have friends with children there (Maidwell Hall) and they seem to like it very much'
Earl Spencer called the book A Very Private School 'because that is how it thrived'. Charles recounted the horrendous experience of having a pediphile and sadist headmaster. 'It was utterly terrifying for all of us'.
The Oldie Lunch was sponsored by Noble Caledonia River Cruises. Photos by Neil Spence Photography. Audio by Tom Assheton. Held at The National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London.
To salute the 80th anniversary of the Great Escape and the recent article about POW Roger Mortimer by his son, Charlie Mortimer we present this discussion between Tom Assheton and James Jackson on Great Escapes – events that have captured the imagination for generations. From the simplest adoption of disguise to the longest tunnels, both successful and failed attempts have entered the realm of legend. Everyone knows the tale of the Great Escape, yet far fewer remember the names of those who dug myriad escape tunnels to confound the Germans and try to reach home. Colditz and Stalag Luft III have been the subject of television and the big screen. But the real stories of boredom, fortitude, courage and starvation – and death – give a picture that is more layered and complex than most now imagine.
1. Inertia 2. The Wild, the Wacky and the Simple Plan 3. Organisation 4. Equipment, Killing Time & Techniques 5. The Camps 6. Other Escapes
Readings:
First published by https://bloodyviolenthistory.com/episodes/escape in august 2021
Marcus Scriven interview with wartime POW Frank Day – 2 extracts
Escape & Evasion from the Counter Terrorism Handbook, James Jackson
Welcome to this special episode to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the capture of General Kreipe.
One of the greatest feats in Patrick Leigh Fermor's remarkable life was the kidnapping of General Kreipe, the German commander in Crete, on 26 April 1944. He and Captain Billy Moss hatched a daring plan to abduct the general, while ensuring that no reprisals were taken against the Cretan population.
Here, Harry Bucknall, interviews General Sir Michael David Jackson.
Harry Mount, Editor of The Oldie, speaks about Oldie Reader Tours and Barry Cryer's joke about Parrots
Pictured here with war photography Don McCullin - photos by Neil Spence Photography and sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers
Tom Assheton interviews Huon Mallalieu about his forthcoming Oldie Reader trip to the Low Countries which is happening on 9th - 14th December, 2024. To book tickets please visit www.theoldie.co.uk and go to tab Courses & Tours. Huon will be hosting this tour with Kirsty Fergusson.
Gyles delights and moves the audience at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 12 December about his friendship with our late Queen. His speech brought tears to most of the eyes in the room.
Mary Beard delights The Oldie Literary Lunch on her latest book Emperor of Rome. The lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on Tuesday 12th December.
The Duke of Beaufort lit up yesterday's Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 12th December at The National Liberal Club with anecdotes about his privileged life.
The Duke wrote his memoir in lockdown in Badminton with nothing else much to do but weekly estate meetings on covid-related matters. He said the problem is 'he rivals Sleeping Beauty' and is inherently lazy, but in lockdown with nothing else to do - no parties, golf or rock band to play in - he knuckled down and wrote his memoir.
He provides insights in living in a stately home and managing a large estate in the vanishing traditions of the aristocracy. Some of the stories in his book cover his friendsL actors, politicians and even royalty.
The Duke said he found himself on stage today with a new super groups Beaufort, Beard and Brandreth!
Adventures apart, what really means the most to The Duke in his life, is family and friends, having explored sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll.
Of sex, he wished he had had more of it; of drugs, he wished he had had less and of Rock 'n' Roll - never enough.
Jilly Cooper on her latest bonkbuster Tackle at The Oldie's November Literary Lunch 2023
Michael Palin speaks at The Oldie Nov Literary Lunch about his latest book Great Uncle Harry
Bob Cryer at The Oldie's Nov 2023 Literary Lunch on his father Barry Cryer. Bob gives a hilarious account of his comedian father from his latest book Same Time Tomorrow?
Simon Heffer tells The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 17th October, about Britain between the wars, and in great detail about Neville Chamberlain who was once perceived to be a Nazi sympathiser but actually did some great reform work for Britain. We hear about Gracie in the film Sing As We Go, a must see spectacle showing the work houses of the time. Listen here to learn more and to hear the wit and wisdom of Heffer.
The sweetest couple Timothy West and Prunella Scales were interviewed by The Oldie's Editor Harry Mount at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 17th October. We hear about Timothy and Shakespeare, we hear about great canal journeys and a love for his wonderful wife, the Queen of Faulty Towers.
Barnaby Rogerson introduces the legendary photographer Don McCullin on his latest book showing back and white photographs of Roman Asia Minor. Barnaby quotes William Dalrymple who was a co-author on this amazing book. Listen to hear incites in to Don's life experiences and work
Listen to Frederic Raphael speaking about his latest book Last Post at The Oldie Literary Lunch 1st August 2023
Listen to Sir Ferdinand Mount speaking about his latest book on leaders called Big Caesars and Little Caesars at The Oldie's Literary Lunch on 1st August 2023 at The National Liberal Club
Alan Judd speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch about his latest spy thrilled Queen & Country
Lady Antonia Fraser speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 18th July 2023 about her latest book Lady Caroline Lamb: a Free Spirit. At aged 90, Lady Antonia wowed the audience with her compelling account.
Listen to Joshua Levine at The Oldie Literary Lunch on his latest book SAS: The Illustrated History of the SAS.
Listen to Angela Levin speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 18th July 2023 about her latest book Camilla: from Outcast to Queen Consort. Having spent a lot of time with Queen Camilla, Angela gave us a glorious insight into our monarch.
Listen here to Glenda Jackson who sadly died today aged 87 at The Oldie of The Year Awards in 2017
Listen to Edward Stourton speaking about Confessions at The Oldie Literary Lunch 13th June 2023
Sir Anthony Seldon speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 13th June 2023 about his latest book Boris at 10, looking at Boris's career as Prime Minister and what went wrong
Polly Toynbee speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 13th June 2023 about her latest book An Uneasy Inheritance about class and growing up being aware of different classes within the UK
Harry Mount interviews Mary Kenny and A N Wilson at The Agenda Festival at The Hurlingham Club on Monday 22 May 2023
Lady Glenconner speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch on 9th May 2023 about her latest book "Whatever Next?"
Chris Mullin speaks at The Oldie Literary Lunch 9th May about his latest book "Didn't You Used To Be Chris Mullen?"
Husband and wife team Henry Dimbleby and Jemima Lewis speak about their latest book Ravenous. Henry of Leon Restaurant fame talks about changing our eating and farming habits to save our planet for future generations.
The Oldie hosted a road show tour of Literary Lunches this year. Fairlight Hall in Hastings hosted a charity lunch in aid of the Conquest Hospital. Listen to Craig Brown's hilarious account of his latest book Haywire.
Harry Mount speaking about his latest book Et Tu, Brute? at Fairlight Hall, Hastings The Oldie Literary Lunch
Giles and Mary speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch Hastings about their latest book - A Diary Of Two Nobodies
Sasha Swire speaking at The Oldie Literary Lunch about her book Diary of an MP's Wife Tuesday 14th March
Harry Mount speaks about his book Et Tu, Brute: The Best Latin Lines Ever at The Oldie Literary Lunch in Dorset 14th March 2023
Andrew Lownie speaking about his book Traitor King at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 14th March 2023
PRUE LEITH ON HER LATEST RECIPE BOOK BLISS ON TOAST
Our final speaker at The Oldie Literary Lunch was Prue Leith on her new cookery book, Bliss on Toast.
Prue Leith is best known for The Great British Bake Off, but her greatest achievement in the room at The Oldie Literary Lunch, said Editor, Harry Mount, was for "writing a column for The Oldie Magazine".
Harry introduced Prue, whose father made explosives in South Africa, as "utter dynamite".
This column has now become a book as it was so popular, called Bliss On Toast. It has been selling like hot toast.
Prue has also written an autobiography called Relish but her huge fan base in America said "no, that's what you put on hamburgers like jam" so in the USA, her book is called I Will Try Anything Once.
Next year, Prue plans to do a one woman show in the spring, touring the UK and then to America. She told The Oldie Readers, "Am I completely mad, I am 82?"
Prue's advice to The Oldie Literary Lunch was, "you can still be old and have a good time".
In the first 25 years of Prue's career she focussed on setting up her cookery business, writing columns and cook books. The next 20 years she wrote novels. This was a time when the boards of most major companies were all occupied by men.
A well known supermarket was asked why 80% of its customers were women, 70% of its staff were women and yet the Board of Directors consisted of men in grey suits. Prue was asked to be on the Board of National Rail. Her first AGM started from 8am until 2pm with no breaks and endless cups of tea, at which point she was "bursting for a wee". Being the only female, she felt embarrassed but eventually had to go, and she stood up. At which point, all the men stood up and bowed her out of the room. They stood up on her return. Prue said to them, "hey guys, can you just treat me like a chap!"
The next stage in her career is the third revolution and is all about television.
Prue gave the sound advice to The Oldie Readers:
"You should do what you want" in life. Even if this has cheesed off her children. She never once watched a football match, and the only parents evening that she took her daughter to, they missed because they missed their train.
However, Prue says, "you serve your grandchildren best by having a good time, and of course, teaching them how to cook, is helpful too."
CRAIG BROWN ON HIS LATEST BOOK HAYWIRE
Barry Humphries, Oldie columnist, described Craig Brown as an "extremely funny writer".
Craig was the leading satirist for The Daily Telegraph, Mail and Mail on Sunday and the spoof diarist for Private Eye.
He has then had an incredibly interesting second life writing biographical books: Ma'am Darling - a hilarious royal biography about Princess Margaret. and his book about The Beatles: 150 Glimpses. His next biographical subject is The Queen. Today, he spoke to us about his latest book of journalistic writings, Haywire.
Craig Brown explained the meaning of his latest book Haywire, "I think most people in this room have reached the age when they think the world has gone haywire".
This realisation came to Craig when he set about writing a literary quiz. He wrote all the obvious categories and then thought, how about middle names of fictitious characters? What was the middle name for James Bond?
After all, James Bond went to Eton and all Etonians have odd middle names. Ian Fleming's middle name was....Lancaster. Boris Johnson's middle name is...de Pfeffel.
So how about James Bond's middle name? Craig did what all great researchers do these days and looked it up on Google. 2,020,000 views came up and the answer showed up as....Herbert. As Craig searched a myriad of other websites to check if this was absolutely true, he reached an educational children's website, which confirmed the middle name for James Bond was indeed Herbert and the source of this information was....Craig Brown.
It turned out that 15 years beforehand, Craig had written a piece on 15 things you didn't know about James Bond, for the Telegraph.
James Bond's middle name was revealed in On His Majesty's Secret Service when Bond is being held in a raffia-work cage, suspended over a pool of piranha fish, whilst the villain Dr. Peevish taunts him, saying "Herbert, Herbert, Herbert" over and over again. Bond says "kill me please, just kill me". Anyway, Bond escapes but sees Dr. Peevish's Christian name on a laundry basket and says, "Do your worst...Clarence". Bond escapes as Peevish covers his ears in torment.
"The next items on the 15 things you didn't know about James Bond list was that his sister Jeannie is the Royal Correspondent for the BBC and his eldest brother, Basildon, is a leading figure in the stationary business" said Craig.
Has the world gone Haywire?
Craig asked the audience, "If Donald Trump can be the President and Liz Truss a Prime Minister, why can't James Bond's middle name be Herbert?"
The book Haywire is full of jokes, but also some seriousness about other comedians such as Frankie Howard and Benny Hill who sometimes lead tragic lives. But, mostly Craig's books is about laughs.
In particular, Craig enjoys parodies. One, which amused The Oldie Readers at our Literary Lunch, was the parody of the very much loved Mary Berry in a recipe book from a few years ago, in which she mentioned household tips which were rather...obvious.
"Cupboards are ideal for putting things in."
"Adding mushrooms to stock gives it a nice mushroomy flavour."
"A garlic press is excellent if you want to press garlic, but I don't find it as good for wiping sticky surfaces."
Has the world really gone Haywire?
PROFESSOR SIMON HEFFER ON CHIPS CHANNON
Our first speaker was Professor Simon Heffer, who has written biographies on, amongst others, Thomas Carlisle, Vaughan Williams, Victorian and Edwardian Britain, and as "most of us spent lockdown staring at the ceiling and avoiding people on walks", Simon achieved an extraordinary historical feat of a mammoth 3 volume collection of the political diaries of Chips Channon.
Simon told us "Yes, it was my lockdown project". Simon summarised with Proust who Chips had tried to get into bed in 1918. This wasn't brought up in the diaries until 1947, as though it had taken Chips 30 years to remember, which annoyed Professor Simon Heffer.
Chips's mother had befriended various French people in the war as she worked on trying to raise money for the library in Paris. That's how they got to know Proust. When war broke out, she was nervous about her "little Chips" getting killed by the Germans, that she got him a job working for the American Red Cross in Paris. This meant that Chips stayed at the Ritz for a year. Simon said, "before Al Fayed owned it, it was a slightly more upper class hotel in those days". This is when Chips first starts writing his diary.
Then Chips comes to England and the diary disappears. He gets into Oxford "by some means or another" and does a two year degree in French, which he only just passes. He forms his greatest friendships in those days, but the diaries are missing. Simon Heffer would like to get his hands on those diaries, which is not the most outrageous claim because when Robert Rhodes James was writing his version, a man appeared on his doorstep one day with two bulging carrier bags saying "I think these belong to you". He had found the diaries of Chips Channon from 1952-1967 in a car boot sale. The two last missing periods are 1919-1922 and the early 1930s.
The third and final volume by Simon Heffer, covers Chips's relationship with Terence Rattigan, the British dramatist and screenwriter, best known for The Browning Version and The Winslow Boy. Chips had an affair with Rattigan for three years, but he also had a devoted boyfriend who was in India, who then returns to the UK.
There was obviously a very serious '"bitch fight" between the two lovers, said Heffer, and Rattigan looses - that story is not in the book.
Chips didn't want the diaries published for 60 years because they were filled with so many insults and so much abuse. Professor Heffer did check out all the outrageous claims that Chips had made, and mostly they were found to be true. Although, what Chips did get wrong on many occasions, were people's ages, for example "an old gal of 92" - when she was actually only 67.
Heffer described Chips as "one of nature's journalists". He had "an acute eye for detail" and "particularly for personality". Chips would have found the most interesting person in a room and got all the dirt out of him or her that was necessary, and then go home and write out exactly what he'd been told, be that morning, noon or night. He managed to do this for the best part of 40 years.
Heffer doesn't think anyone can possibly afford to write about the period between the war and the 1960s, without consulting the Channon diaries, because "Chips knew more or less everybody or anybody that he would have thought was worth knowing".
Chips was very discombobulated when his great friend King Edward VIII decided to abdicate, because Chips could no longer leave his calling card with the Queen and King. Rather like Wallace Simpson, Chips was an American "on the make". Chips considered the next King George VI to be "boring" and the Queen Mother "common" - Heffer thinks he learnt about the term "common" from "our dear friend Nicky Haslam".
Chips concentrates on politics and is determined to make something of himself as a politician. He is very rude about Churchill. His views can be described as "poisonous".
However, although Chips is a snob and also a self-hating American, Heffer describes him as "irresistibly fascinating".
Heffer revealed "I don't think if I had a daughter, I would want her to marry Chips" but then again, for many reasons, he probably wouldn't want to either.
Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan speak about their latest book Kings & Queens at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Nov 15th at The National Liberal Club
The Oldie Literary Lunch took place on 15th November at The National Liberal Club.
LUCY LETHBRIDGE gave a fascinating talk about her latest book Tourists defining the way the English went abroad to find themselves. Holidaying was a new phenomena of the past two centuries and one which initially applied to the working classes. As Evelyn Waugh once said “Every Englishman abroad, until it is proved to the contrary, likes to consider himself a traveller and not a tourist.”
PETER SNOWspoke about his latest book Kings & Queens, The Real Lives of the English Monarchs, which he has co-written with Ann MacMillan. Kings & Queens explores the lives, loves, triumphs and disasters of a monarchy that is the envy of the world. Peter's book offers a unique insight into those born to rule, whether villains or heroes - from cruel King John and warrior-king Edward III, to our own Elizabeth II: dutiful, discreet and the longest-reigning queen in the world.
A N WILSON delivered a startlingly honest and characteristically witty memoir of his youth entitled Confessions. His first autobiography is populated by a rich cast of characters from royalty to Oxford dons to journalists, and his speech provided the guests at the lunch with much humour.
Harry Mount hosts the Oldie Gang Show with guests Andrew Lownie, David Starkey and Dame Eileen Atkins.
Andrew Lownie reveals the true nature of the Duke of Windsor, the subject of his book, Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Historian and broadcaster, David Starkey, paints a dynamic portrayal of Henry VIII as the both pivotal to British history and the progenitor of Brexit. Henry VIII is also essential for understanding the role of the Prime Minister and Parliament today.
Dame Eileen Atkins is in conversation with Oldie veteran contributor Valerie Grove. Atkin's memoir, Will She Do? is a frank and funny chronicle of Eileen's journey from a Tottenham council estate - entertaining in men's clubs as Baby Eileen - to dominating the English stage and screen as an actor and writer.
January 19, 2022 at the Reform Club
In this latest edition of the Oldie Podcast, Harry Bucknall talks to that master of story telling himself, Jeffrey Archer, about his new novel, Over My Dead Body which is a story of murder, revenge and betrayal; the fourth in the William Warwick series and another case for investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s rising star, who made his first appearance in Jeffrey Archer’s Clifton Chronicles series.
@Jeffrey_Archer @GameKeeperPR @OldieMagazine
Prompted by the sad death of Richard Rogers, Giles and Mary discuss modern architecture, foreign versus domestic holidays and their Christmas plans
@gilesandmary1 @oldiemagazine #podcast
In this edition of The Oldie Podcast, Harry Bucknall talks to The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, 158th Speaker of the House of Commons, whose role is delivering the daily business of politics. It is he who has to restore the reputation and traditional values expected of those we elect to represent us and it is he who has to ensure that MPs can go about their daily business unhindered, safe in the knowledge that they do so without risk from the unwanted and unwarranted attention of those remote elements of society intent on spreading malice, causing harm and even death.
@LindsayHoyle_MP @CommonsSpeaker @HouseofCommons @GamekeeperPR @HarryBucknall @OldieMagazine
In this week's discussion of the news headlines, Giles and Mary discuss lying, Patricia Highsmith's murder theory and the robin's territorial wars
@gilesandmary1 @oldiemagazine #podcast
Mary Churchill’s War, the Wartime Diaries of Churchill’s Youngest Daughter, were published at the end of September.
In the diaries, the self effacing Mary Soames described herself as "a discontented served-up fat ATS officer who compared unfavourably with Hitler’s Rhine maidens" – anything could be further from the truth, as those fortunate to meet her will bear testament to her warmth, great sense of duty and ability to light up a room.
In this edition of The Oldie Podcast, Harry Bucknall is joined by Emma Soames, editor supreme, and Mary’s daughter, who took on the challenging task of preparing Mary Churchill’s War for publication.
Mary Churchill’s War, published by TWO ROADS, is available on kindle, in audio and hardback, the latter price £20.00
@TwoRoadBooks @oldiemagazine @emmasoames @churchill
In this week's broadcast, Giles and Mary discuss Meghan Markle, snogging and the overuse of the word 'crisis' @maryandgiles1 @oldiemagazine #podcast
In this week's Newsround, Giles and Mary discuss Jeremy Clarkson's new beer, the slanting shadows of winter sunlight and the difference between omicron and omega
@oldiemagazine @gilesandmary1
In this week's Newsround, Giles Wood and Mary Killen choose their dream retirement home - Fawlty Towers. They also discuss whether it's rude to send a list of Christmas present requests and a new phenomenon, Hogo - the Hassle of Going Out
@oldiemagazine @gilesandmary1
In this week's Newsround, Giles Wood and Mary Killen discuss Meghan Markle and the art of apologising, the pleasures of going to jail - and autumn leaves
@gilesandmary1 @oldiemagazine #podcast #episode
The Royal British Legion, charged by Royal Charter with the continuing welfare, remembrance, representation and comradeship of all those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces, is the largest of the United Kingdom’s military charities. With the enduring symbol of the poppy at its core, it is a unique institution that sits deep in the fabric of our society, safeguarding the principles for which the Nation stands and those who risk their lives to protect it.
In a special podcast to mark RBL’s 100th Anniversary, Harry Bucknall, himself a former British Army officer, talks about the past, present and future of the Charity to Julie Summers, author of We are the Legion, D-Day veteran, 97 year old Rear Admiral John Roberts CB, former paratrooper, Mike Lewis, 38, who was severely injured in Afghanistan, Robert Lee, executive producer of the annual Festival of Remembrance and former Chief of the Defence Staff, General the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux.
@PoppyLegion @GamekeeperPR #FestivalOfRemembrance #PoppyAppeal #everypoppycounts #podcast #podcasts
In this week's Oldie Newsround, Giles Wood and Mary Killen discuss irritable drinkers, Britain's booming population of grey seals and the horrors of Patricia Highsmith
In this week's Oldie Newsround, Giles Wood and his wife Mary Killen discuss what to do when your spouse lets you down, what to do in the country and how much money you need for an interesting life.
@OldieMagazine @gilesandmary #podcast #gilesandmary
In this week's Oldie Newsround, Giles and Mary reveal the best way to turn down a party invitation and how to build the perfect fire.
@Oldiemagazine @gilesandmary #gilesandmary #podcast
In a new podcast series, welcome to the weekly round-up of the news by Oldie columnist Giles Wood and his wife, Mary Killen, the Spectator's agony aunt. This week, they discuss the Queen's genius at hitting the nail on the head; why William Morris wallpaper improves any house; and why George Harrison was the best of the Beatles. And Giles dreams of going magnet-fishing.
This month sees Harry Bucknall, with The Oldie Podcast tucked under his arm, venture out from under his lockdown rock in Dorset to London and the refined elegance of Wilton’s Restaurant on Jermyn Street, in St James’s – just the spot for a cup of tea with his guest, the actress Madeline Smith, who writes candidly in the August edition of the magazine about working with that genius of stage and screen, the late Sir Alec Guinness who many will remember as Colonel Nicholson in David Lean’s Bridge over the River Kwai, or for his portrayal of John le Carre’s George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and latterly as Obe Wan Kenobi in George Lucas’s l Star Wars **trilogy. We began in bed with Sir Roger Moore.
Photo credit: Steve Ball**
Actor Robert Bathurst is perhaps best known as David Marsden in ITV’s long running hit series, Cold Feet but since early days from the Cambridge Footlights to more recent forays like Keith Waterhouse’s "Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell", and Noel Coward’s "Blithe Spirit", Robert Is no stranger to theatre. In this month’s podcast, he talks to Harry Bucknall, aboutToast of London, his love of national hunt racing and his latest piece in the June issue of the Oldie titled Dying on stage - a survivor's guide.
From punk to the Summer of Love to Rousseau, Loyd Grossman, whose article on 18th century wood carver Grinling Gibbons features in this month’s magazine, talks about pretty much everything to Harry Bucknall in our latest interview with friends of The Oldie; their discussion, however, starts in a South London garden in 1983, with Loyd talking to a large black rabbit…
This Saturday 13th March, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra invites The Oldie to the movies, as Harry Bucknall talks to Pete Harrison, guest conductor of the BSO as they play some of the great film scores, such as Ben Hur, Gone with the Wind and The Great Escape, which the orchestra will be performing for their Hollywood Classics concert this Saturday at 7.30 pm.
Full programme details at BSOlive.com
Hollywood Classics is available as a digital livestream for 30 days and tickets can be purchased for £9 per household from BSOlive.com
At 85, Hunter Davies, buoyed by his younger girlfriend Clare, has received his covid jabs and is raring to go. The writer and Fleet Street legend tells Harry Bucknall what fuels him in this month’s podcast. The key ingredient is boredom, Hunter confesses that if he has even thirty minutes between projects, he goes mad. He’s also not too mad about England’s prospects in the World Cup!
Harry Bucknall covers Maureen's Damehood, Gyles Brandreth’s control of the remote on Celebrity Gogglebox, the perfect recipe for chips as concocted by Victoria Wood and Jack Rosenthal, the challenge facing theatre and live performance, the Labour Party, anti-semitism and the wider right to freedom of religion, finishing with an exhortation for The Oldie Lunch.
Pete Harrison, guest conductor for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Christmas Crackers concert tells Harry Bucknall that the show will go on. BSO will welcome audiences to the December 19 Christmas concert which will be streamed live and available for download to enjoy at any time. Singer Laura Tebbutt is thrilled to return to the stage with for the first time since 1st March.
For tickets to attend, download or stream the BSO’s Christmas Crackers Concert at the Poole Lighthouse on Saturday 19th December visit www.bsolive.com
Britain's funniest writer, Craig Brown, has asked his pals to record some of his greatest hits. Starring Richard Ingrams as Prince Philip, Eleanor Bron as Jilly Cooper, AN Wilson as Alan Titchmarsh, Craig Brown and Tallulah Brown as Downton Abbey's Lord and Lady Grantham, and Paul Bailey as John Gielgud
At 85, Barry Cryer has worked with them all, from Bob Hope to Morecambe & Wise. In this uproariously funny interview, he recalls a lifetime of laughs with Harry Bucknall
The Oldie's Ferdie Rous talks to author and journalist, Frances Wilson, about Wordsworth's idyllic home in the Lake District, his remarkably intense relationship with his sister, Dorothy Wordsworth, and why he was known as the pedestrian poet
The Oldie's Ferdie Rous talks to Ed West, the Deputy editor of UnHerd and son of Oldie columnist Mary Kenny, about why all conservatives are pessimists and why men are guided by women in politics
Oxford University recently announced that Homer’s Iliad would be dropped from its Classics syllabus. Ferdie Rous speaks to Harry Mount, Oldie editor and author of Amo, Amas, Amat… And All That, who studied classics at Oxford, and James Pembroke, The Oldie’s publisher, and a fellow classics enthusiast.
Mary Kenny, one of the founders of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement, talks to The Oldie’s Ferdie Rous about her fifty years on Fleet Street, gender and Ireland's Brexit moment.
At the Oldie's February lunch, Sinclair McKay spoke about his new book, Dresden: the Fire and the Darkness.
Dan Cruickshank spoke about his new book, Cruickshank’s London: A Portrait of a City in 13 Walks, at the Oldie's February lunch.
At the Oldie's February lunch, Lord Tugendhat spoke about his new book, A History of Britain Through Books: 1900 ‑ 1964.
Gyles Brandreth talks to The Oldie's Ferdie Rous about Rupert Bear, his love of words and why Shakespeare matters
James Fletcher, who's making a film, The Accidental President, talks to Harry Mount about the US election
Image: A souvenir-seller at the Trump rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. Credit: James Fletcher
Oldie Editor Harry Mount talks to Philip Delves Broughton, former New York Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and Ivo Dawnay, the former Washington bureau chief for the Daily Telegraph, about the Democratic Presidential primary in Iowa.
The Oldie's Ferdie Rous talks to author, former prison doctor and journalist Theodore Dalrymple.
Dalrympe tells us about the psychology of crime and addiction, his love of Wales and why he rummages through litter.
Author, Oldie columnist and nature writer Patrick Barkham talks to Ferdie Rous, The Oldie's Editorial Assistant, about the Scottish Highlands, HS2 and the need for parents to stay in touch with nature
The Oldie's Editorial Assistant Ferdie Rous talks to journalist, author and travel writer WIlliam Cook about Oberammergau's world-renowned passion play.
Every 10 years, 500,000 people descend on this small Bavarian town to watch this extraordinary insight onto the seventeenth century.
Actress and costar of the Kenny Everett Show, Cleo Rocos, tells Oldie Editor Harry Mount about her time working with Kenny Everett
Ferdie Rous talks to Philip Mansel, co-founder of The Society for Court Studies and the author of King of the World: The Life of Louis XIV, about the Sun King, Versailles and Louis's love of gardening.
Gyles Brandreth talks about his new book, Dancing by the Light of the Moon, at the Oldie's Christmas lunch.
Learning poetry prevents dementia and helps improve language skills. Gyles Brandreth loves it
Victoria Hislop presented her book, Those who are loved, at the Oldie's Christmas lunch.
The plot centres on Thenis, a woman born in Greece in the 1920s. It tells the story of Greece's twentieth century through the eyes of someone who lived it.
Philip Mansel talks about his new book, King of the World: The Life of Louis XIV, at the Oldie's Christmas lunch.
Louis XIV was perhaps the most powerful person on earth in his day. But there is much more to him than the bon vivant and patron of the arts that we think we know.
Welcome to the Oldie podcast with Harry Mount, editor of The Oldie. John Lloyd explains the disastrous beginnings of the show and how the 1979 election saved it.
Ferdie Rous, The Oldie's editorial assistant, speaks to celebrated historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes about the extraordinary history of Venus-Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
We reference a few paintings and sculptures throughout the podcast.
Follow the links to find them.
Ishtar, Inanna, Astarte
Botticelli – The Birth of Venus; Venus & Mars
Knidian Aphrodite
Venus de Milo
The Oldie's editorial assistant, Ferdie Rous, talks to acclaimed author and travel-writer Sara Wheeler about 200 years of Antarctic exploration.
Sara Wheeler's new book, Mud and Stars: Travels in Russia with Pushkin and Other Geniuses of the Golden Age, published by Jonathan Cape, is out now.
Simon Heffer speaks at an Oldie literary lunch about the Staring at God: Britain during the Great War.
He tells of the political class's inability to deal with the pressures of the war, how women were far more than the munitionettes of popular imagination and the extent of the cultural changes brought on by the war.
John McEwen and Carry Akroyd talk about the bird-infested history of the Douglas Home family, the sex life of the Great Bustard and how best to portray birds in art.
Simon Jenkins speaks at the Oldie Literary Lunch about the three traumas of London's history, how London was shaped by the free market and the city corporation and the importance of separating money from power.
The Oldie's Editor Harry Mount talks to Times and Telegraph regular Hannah Betts about Troy, Homer and the mixed legacy of Heinrich Schliemann, who rediscovered it.
Troy: Myth and Reality is on at the British Museum between 21st November and 8th March 2020
Welcome to the Oldie podcast with Harry Mount, the editor of The Oldie.
This month we have a fantastic piece by Damian Thompson in the magazine about Stephen Potter, the inventor of Gamesmanship.
Damian is a senior journalist who has worked at the Telegraph and the Catholic Herald, and is the associate editor of the Spectator.
Historian, travel-writer and bestselling author William Dalrymple, talks to the Oldie's Editorial Assistant Ferdie Rous about the rise of The East India Company, corporate violence and imperial nostalgia.
Dalrymple's new book, The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company, is published by Bloomsbury.
The book tells two stories: the rise of the East India Company and the fall of the Mughal Empire. The latter had dominated the subcontinent for over three centuries by the time that the company arrived on Indian shores.
Note: the Diwani, referenced at (22:45), later known as the Treaty of Allahabad, was a permit granted by Shah Alam, in 1764, to the East India Company that allowed them to tax the provinces of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
Charles Moore talks about the third and last part of his biography of Margaret Thatcher at the Oldie's October lunch.
Moore talked about Thatcher's innocence of matters sexual, her run in with Monty Python and her meeting with Nelson Mandela.
A N Wilson talks about Prince Albert: The Man Who Saved The Monarchyat the Oldie's October lunch.
We don't appreciate how much Britain owes Albert. From Albertopolis to the Great Exhibition and beyond, Wilson gives a fascinating insight into this short-lived royal.
Andrew Lownie speaks about The Mountbattens at the Oldie's October lunch.
He explains how the Mountbattens' private affairs affected their public lives, how there is more to Edwina Mountbatten than meets the eye and the security debacle that let to Dickie Mountbatten's death.
Welcome to this edition of the Oldie podcast.
Ferdie Rous, The Oldie's Editorial Assistant, speaks to author, commentator and Mail on Sunday columnist, Peter Hitchens, about his new book, The Phoney Victory: The World War II Delusion, which challenges some of our most deeply held beliefs about the Second World War, which began 80 years ago this month.
Welcome to the Oldie’s October podcast. 50 years ago, on the 26th September, The Beatles’s Abbey Road album was first released. Today, we are joined by veteran-journalist and the Beatles’s only authorised biographer, Hunter Davies, who shadowed the Beatles as they wrote and recorded what many consider to be their best studio album.
Oldie Editor, Harry Mount, speaks to Dominic Green – Life & Arts Editor at the Spectator USA and regular contributor to The Oldie's Letter from America Column – about his new suit, which made from the same material used for Lord Grantham's valet in the new Downton Abbey film.
Welcome to the Oldie's September podcast with Harry Mount the editor of The Oldie and the actor, Simon Williams, who played Captain Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs and has written a piece about the class dynamic in Downton Abbey for the latest issue of The Oldie.
What is the funding gap between private and state schools? Is there equal educational opportunity? How can we end Britain's educational apartheid?
David Kynaston and Francis Green ask the questions and they have an answer. They examine the impact of private schools on public life.
They spoke at the Oldie's August lunch about their book Engines of Privilege: Britain's Private School Problem, published by Bloomsbury.
The world is getting better. Amid the doom and gloom of the news, things are actually pretty good, says Douglas Carswell.
In this talk, Carswell charts the history of human progress and explains how we have held ourselves back.
Douglas Carswell spoke at the Oldie's August lunch about his new book Progress vs Parasites: A Brief History of the Conflict That's Shaped Our World, published by Head of Zeus.
What is the difference between Old Masters and old mistresses? Where did Chanel put her No. 5? Whose yacht was called the 'floating double-bed'?
Anne de Courcy examines life in the French Riviera before and during the war.
Her new book, Chanel's Riviera: Life, Love and the Struggle for Survival on the Côte d’Azur, 1930–1944, is published by W&N.
Welcome to August Issue of the Oldie podcast.
George Courtauld, a former Queen's messenger and bestselling writer of The Travels of a Fat Bulldog, has penned a delightful piece about discovering his grandmother Daisy Dobell's diaries in his attic.
He speaks to The Oldie's editorial assistant Ferdie Rous about his grandmother: her childhood, why she earned the nickname – 'Naughty Daisy' – and her close friendship with her cousin the poet, Eva Dobell.
Courtauld's book, a collection of his grandmother's diaries, Daisy's Diary 1888-1900 was published in April.
Introduced by Barry Cryer, Sir Tim Waterstone spoke at the Oldie's July lunch about what inspired him to create Waterstones, the difficulty of getting funding for it and a set-to with a journalist in the 90s.
His book is The Face Pressed Against a Window: A Memoir.
Introduced by Barry Cryer, Sir Antony Beevor spoke at the Oldie's July lunch about the British fascination with defeat, the disaster at Arnhem bridge and Field Marshal Montgomery's appalling behaviour before, during and after the battle.
Antony Beevor's book is Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944.
Introduced by Barry Cryer, Anna Pasternak speaks at the Oldie's July lunch.
Looking past the steely scheming facade that is so familiar the public, Pasternak praised the better side of one of the most hated royals.
Anna Pasternak's book is Untitled: The Real Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.
Welcome to the July issue of the Oldie podcast.
Harry Mount editor of The Oldie speaks to the comic genius Barry Cryer, who has been working in comedy since 1957.
Here Barry Cryer talks about his life as a raconteur, the art of the perfect punchline and the beginnings of any good gag.
Christopher Lee speaks at the Oldie Literary Lunch about Lord Carrington: his peculiarly-named dogs, how he came to be 'an honourable man', and why he hated Boris.
His new book Carrington: An Honourable Man was published by Viking books.
Introduced by Barry Cryer, Rachel Kelly spoke about her experiences with depression and anxiety, and how she beat them.
Her new book, Singing in the rain: A Happiness Workbook, published by Short books, outlines a series of exercises that can give you a sense of purpose.
Introduced by Barry Cryer, former MP Chris Mullin speaks at the Oldie's June lunch about an encounter with George W Bush, the story behind his bestselling hit, A Very British Coup,and why he wrote a sequel to it.
His new book, The Friends of Harry Perkins,was published by Scribner UK.
Sara Lodge, former speechwriter to Kofi Annan and author of Inventing Edward Lear, speaks at the Oldie Literary Lunch at Cholmondeley Castle about the hidden gems of Edward Lear: the links between pathos and absurdity in his poetry, his under-regarded art and the Owl and the Pussycat's sombre sequel.
Adrian Tinniswood, author of Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the British Royal Household, speaks about the man who got Prince Albert killed, the steady drinking of the Queen Mother and what makes the sovereign different, at the Sandstone Ridge Festival's Oldie Literary Lunch.
Welcome to the Oldie's June Podcast.
D-Day took place 75 years ago on the 6th June. It was the largest invasion in military history. 7,000 vessels, 156,000 personnel and 1,200 planes and gliders were involved.
Historian and bestselling author of _D-Day: The Soldiers'_ Story Giles Milton, who has penned a piece for us about the soldiers' experiences on the day for this month's magazine talks to _T__he Oldie_'s Editorial Assistant, Ferdie Rous.
With commemorations for the 75th anniversary of D-Day just around the corner, we were delighted to welcome Giles Milton to our May lunch.
His new book, _D-Day: A Soldiers' Story_ charts the stories of the men and women who took part in the Normandy landings.
At the lunch, he recounted the tale of a one-man raid on a Normandy beach, in May of 1944, which ended in a chance encounter with Erwin Rommel.
During the Second World War, MI5 ran a secret operation to root out Nazi-sympathisers.
At the Oldie's May literary lunch Robert Hutton spoke about the man in charge of it all. The unsung hero: Eric Roberts.
The full story is detailed in Hutton's new book, Agent Jack: MI5's secret Nazi Hunter.
Christopher Howse speaks about the highs and lows of the golden days of Soho.
_Soho in the Eighties_, his new book, is an anecdotal history of the strange and brilliant figures that populated Soho: from Jeffrey Bernard to Francis Bacon.
Here he is speaking at the Oldie's May literary lunch.
Welcome to _The Oldie_'s May podcast.
William Cook, a regular contributor to _The Oldie,_ the _Spectator_ and the _Independent_, who has written books about Auberon Waugh and Peter Cook, speaks to The Oldie's Editorial Assistant, Ferdie Rous, about the German town of Coburg, where Prince Albert was born 200 years ago .
At (22.37), we turned briefly to Auberon Waugh.
At the April lunch, Prue Leith spoke about her life in cooking, one of Paul Hollywood's meaner moments on Bake Off, bomb scares and explosive marmalade.
Her book, _Prue: My All-Time Favourite Recipes,_ is out now.
Leith's fellow speakers were Hugo Vickers (_The Quest for Queen Mary_) and Matthew Sturgis (_Oscar: A Life_).
Hugo Vickers on _The Quest for Queen Mary_ by James Pope-Hennessy, which he edited.
He spoke about the book's 60-year journey to publication, James Pope-Hennessy's inimitable style and the understated way to describe large royals.
Vickers's fellow speakers were Prue Leith (_Prue: My All-Time Favourite Recipes_) and Matthew Sturgis (_Oscar: A Life_).
At the April Literary Lunch, Matthew Sturgis spoke about his new book, _Oscar: A Life_.
Welcome to the Spring podcast of _T__he Oldie_ magazine.
Harry Mount speaks to the great Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, who have written a terrific cover piece about Ronnie Barker, who would have been 90 this year, and _Porridge_.
Other great news is that two lost episodes of The _Likely Lads_ have been rediscovered along with the feature film _The Likely Lads_ from 1976.
Mary Killen has no time for the knife, the exercises or the headstands. Instead, she lies back and tries the facelift for the lazy – and it works
John Motson speaks about his new book, _World Cup Motty: My World Cup Stories_ at The Oldie's February Literary Lunch_._
He remembers the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, an unnerving encounter with Brian Clough and his brief flirtation with Greco-Roman wrestling.
William Keegan, the former Economics Editor of the _Observer_, speaks on his book, _Nine Crises: Fifty Years of Covering the British Economy from Devaluation to Brexit_.
He approaches these nine crises with the experience of having met a few of the instigators.
Listen to his brilliant anecdotes from his long career.
Lady Colin Campbell speaks about her new book, _The Queen's Marriage_ at _The Oldie's_ February Literary Lunch.
Her amusing anecdotes, matched by her impeccable sources, give a brilliant insight into the marriage of our brilliant Queen Liz and her boat-rocking husband Prince Philip.
_Oldie_ editor Harry Mount talks to Oldie of the Year Amanda Barrie about her Carry On experiences: from her supporting role in _Carry On Cabby_ (1963) to her triumphant turn as Cleopatra, a year later.
Miles Goslett on An Inconvenient Death: How the Establishment Covered Up the David Kelly Affair
Harry Mount talks to Brough Scott – celebrated racing presenter, winning jockey in over a hundred races and a Kempton Park veteran – about the King George VI steeplechase and the perils of winter riding.
Lucy Lethbridge talks to our editor Harry Mount about the world famous Blue Guides and the perceived difference between tourists and 'real' travellers.
Our editor, Harry Mount, interviews Nicky Haslam about the joy of having not been to university.
Lucy Deedes, the daughter of WF Deedes, Private Eye’s Dear Bill, remembers a childhood spent eating roadkill and deer butchered in the garden – before we all got so fussy about food.
Former Bond Girl Madeline Smith talks to Annabel Sampson about Roger Moore undressing her with a magnetic watch in 'Live and Let Die'. Madeline also talks about Bond Girls in the #MeToo climate, and why Peter Cook was the 'one that got away'.
To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of if… The Oldie screened Lindsay Anderson’s anti-establishment satire set in an English public school at the Soho's Curzon. David Wood – who played Johnny in the film – spoke to Valerie Grove, the Oldie's radio columnist, afterwards. Here is part of that conversation, followed by a few questions from the audience.
Ten years after Harold Pinter's death – and on the eve of a new season of his plays – actor Kenneth Cranham remembers his friend's advice on how to understand and act in his works
Our Digital Editor, Annabel Sampson, talks to Sara Wheeler about Anton Chekhov’s Russian garden, that has been copied in Devon after a blooming debut at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Chekhov’s work as a doctor was invigorated by a deep sympathy with the natural world. Listen here.
The Oldie’s Agony Aunt, the stand-up, novelist and columnist Virginia Ironside, opens up about solving reader conundrums, something she has done now for nearly 40 years. She airs her mixed feelings about celebrity agony aunts and the unreadable prose of some of her contemporaries. Our Digital Editor goes to her house in West London, to see Virginia and meet her cat.
The former head of Margaret Thatcher’s policy unit and former editor of the TLS will talk about his latest book, Prime Movers. It examines the political ideas of twelve great thinkers across the centuries, including Pericles, Jesus Christ and Edmund Burke.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpson's-in-the-Strand on July 17th 2018.
They were famous queens, unrecognised visionaries, great artists and trailblazing politicians. They all pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world. Jenni Murray presents the history of Britain as you've never seen it before, through the lives of twenty-one women who refused to succumb to the established laws of society, whose lives embodied hope and change, and who still have the power to inspire us today.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpson's-in-the-Strand on July 17th 2018.
Who is your favourite prime minister? Gimson has written a vivid account of the lives of PMs from Walpole to May. The former parliamentary sketchwriter for the Telegraph and biographer of Boris Johnson, Gimson is the dream guide to our First Lords of the Treasury.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpson's-in-the-Strand on July 17th 2018.
Christopher Howse recalls the heyday of London’s boozy artistic bohemia – from the Forties to the Eighties. In conversation with Harry Mount.
From the man who exposed the Jimmy Savile scandal – in The Oldie – comes a book on the mysterious death of Dr David Kelly in 2003. It remains one of the most shadowy episodes in recent British political history.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch as part of Buxton International Festival on July 7th 2018.
Drawing on lost royal letters from a closed archive, The White King introduces us to Charles I as the monarch at the heart of an epic tale: of populist politicians, the fall of the mighty, religious hatreds, civil war, the power of a new media, and a maligned queen.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch as part of Buxton International Festival on July 7th 2018.
'Rock and Roll is Life' is a vastly entertaining, picaresque and touching novel inspired by the excess and trajectories of the great '60s and '70s supergroups, and of the tales brought back from the front line by a very special breed of Englishmen who made it big in the States as the alchemists and enablers, as well as the old making way for the new in the era of the baby boomers. At its heart is one man's adventure, and the poignancy of the special relationships that dominate his life.
This talk was recorded at an Oldie Literary Lunch as part of Buxton International Festival on July 7th 2018.
Sam Leith, literary editor of the Spectator, talks about 'How to Write a Book Review' and proffers wisdom on how to make a review 'really sing on the page' and why you should read a book armed with a pen.
Mary enlightens course-goers, telling them that 'only a blockhead goes into journalism for money' in her session on 'How to Write a Column' – something she has been doing now, for the best part of 50 years.
Sophia Money-Coutts on modern manners: drinks at 6.30, dinner at 8.30 – and get married by 30. The former features director of Tatler talks tongue-in-cheek about the world of the magazine, and her new book The Plus One which is published on 9th August.
The father of our ‘Golden Oldies’ columnist, Rachel Johnson, has written a political thriller – an account of the skulduggery that might have gone on behind the scenes in the run-up to the EU referendum. Described as a ‘unique peek under the dirty doormat of politics’.
He talks at Chichester Cathedral, an Oldie lunch in partnership with the Literary festival.
A year of walks, inspired by a song – Dave Goulder’s The January Man. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks many of the 140,000 miles of footpaths across the British Isles.
He talks at Chichester Cathedral, an Oldie lunch in partnership with the Literary festival.
Anna is the great-niece of the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Boris Pasternak – author of Doctor Zhivago. She tells the story of the true and tragic love affair between Boris and Olga Ivinskaya which inspired the literary classic.
She talks at Chichester Cathedral, an Oldie lunch in partnership with the Literary festival.
Roger Lewis looks back on his journalism and books, and discusses his unique, sardonic, comic style. He also unlocks the characters of Peter Sellers and Laurence Olivier in a discussion of his ground-breaking biographies.
Charles Duff stands in to replace his cousin John Julius Norwich, who was forced to stand down due to ill health, at the June 5th 2018 lunch. An actor and lecturer in Shakepeare and theatre history, he entertains and enthrals in equal measure talking about his memoir, Charley's Woods published by Zuleika.
Fresh from reporting on the Royal Wedding for CNN from 4.30am until 9pm, Angela Levin reveals extracts from her royal biography, Harry: Conversations with the Prince at the Oldie Literary Lunch on June 5th 2018.
Lady Antonia Fraser in conversation with her cousin, Harry Mount, on her book The King and the Catholics: The Fight for Rights 1829 at the Oldie Literary Lunch on June 5th 2018 at Simpson's-in-the-Strand. With an introduction by Barry Cryer.
Barry Cryer on Tony Hancock. Barry recalls the comic genius of his friend, and how Hancock discarded his brilliant writers before finally, tragically discarding himself.
Paul Atterbury and Marc Allum discuss their new book, which celebrates 40 years of the Antiques Roadshow. They reveal their greatest and most interesting finds over the years, including a letter written by a doomed Titanic passenger and some original Beatrix Potter drawings.
Royal family expert Hugo Vickers talks about his strife with big-budget Netflix series _The Crown_ and his issues with the impact of fictional dramatisations on the historical education of the public. He discusses what should be taken as truth and what should not with regards to the popular series.
Renowned broadcaster John Tusa tells the story of his journey from Czechoslovakian emigrant, through Cambridge University and on to a distinguished career at the BBC. He shares the lessons that he learnt whilst in prestigious jobs - from presenting Newsnight, to running the BBC World Service.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
For more info about the The Oldie and the lunches at Simpson's on The Strand: www.theoldie.co.uk
In early April we had our ‘rebooted’ computer course at the Royal Geographical Society with Matthew Webster, who has been our technological expert and columnist since 2000. The internet was personified: described as an ‘angsty teenager’; and the course-going oldies were there to ‘tame’ it. Here is a recording from the session.
Harry Mount interviews Tom Hodgkinson, our Town Mouse columnist and cofounder of the Idler empire, about eminent Victorians, town vs country, and the key to a harmonious, idling existence.
Robert Fox discusses his sombre return to the Falklands to advise on a new feature film about the Battle of Goose Green – where he was one of only two journalists embedded with British forces. In conversation with Harry Mount.
It is 100 years since the Royal Air Force took flight. Joshua Levine, author of Fighter Heroes of WWI, commemorates the centenary with a preview of the new RAF museum. In conversation with Harry Mount.
Ferdie Rous, our editorial assistant, talks about ‘fat shaming’. No Thinifer himself, he admits he should be revelling in the fight for ‘fat acceptance’, but he feels it’s sad – the obese are not an oppressed group and would all do well to shift the stones. In conversation with Annabel Sampson.
Nicholas Shakespeare, the distinguished novelist, on Six Minutes in May. A talk on Chamberlain's downfall, Churchill's eventual accession to number 10, and with a brief look at what could have happened had events worked out differently. Harry Mount, our editor, also praised Shakespeare for his great modesty, 'bringing up the 16th century playwright and not admitting that they're related'.
Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan, the husband-and-wife writerly pair, on War Stories: Gripping Tales of Courage, Cunning and Compassion. Cheerily and grippingly told: this book examines thirty-four previously untold stories of those who showed great humanity and heroism at a time of war.
And, finally, Simon Jenkins, the esteemed journalist and chronicler of the British landscape, on the rituals, ceremonies and architecture of some of our most undervalued national treasures, in Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
For more info about the The Oldie and the lunches at Simpson's on The Strand: https://www.theoldie.co.uk/
On the eve of a retrospective exhibition at the British Museum, John Julius Norwich recalls the remarkable life and tremendous spirit of his friend Patrick Leigh Fermor, the man whom John Julius credits with opening up the Byzantine world to him – the subject of his subsequent book on the subject Byzantium: The Early Centuries.
John Julius talks about Paddy's incredible intellectual curiosity and lightness of touch: ‘All the time you were aware of being in touch with perhaps the most extraordinary man you’d ever met.’
'Ghika, Craxton, Leigh Fermor – Charmed Lives in Greece’, the British Museum, 8th March to 15th July
Michael Wooldridge is a Professor of Computer Science and Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford – he is also the author of the Ladybird Book for Artificial Intelligence, that is published on the 22nd March. He talks to Annabel Sampson, our digital editor, about writing the book, and how you take something as difficult as AI and make it understandable. He also reveals that his very eminent colleagues, distinguished holders of chairs at the University of Oxford, have asked: ‘how’d do you do that?’ – I’d like to do one too.'
In our annual event at Simpson’s in the Strand, awards were presented by Gyles Brandreth, and given to Basil Brush, Geoffrey Palmer, Alan Ayckbourn, Henry Blofeld, April Ashley, Baroness Williams of Crosby and the great Dame Vera Lynn.
Food writer Matthew Fort tells us about his gourmet trip on a Vespa to little known Italian islands, brought to you by The Oldie Literary Lunch.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
For more info about the The Oldie and the lunches at Simpson's on The Strand: https://www.theoldie.co.uk/
Islands #Foodie #Italy #TheOldie
At The Oldie Literary lunch presents, geographer Nicholas Crane who explains that over millennia Britain has evolved from ice-bound peninsula, to an island of cities and manmade countryside.
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For more info about the The Oldie and the lunches at Simpson's on The Strand: https://www.theoldie.co.uk/
OldieMagazine #England #Geography
Stephen Glover talks journalism, Fleet Street, drink and his book Splash the story of a reporter who uncovers the scoop of the century.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
For more info about the The Oldie and the lunches at Simpson's on The Strand: https://www.theoldie.co.uk/
Journalism #FleetSteet #StephenGlover #TheOldie
Seventy years ago, George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four on Jura. Annabel Sampson recalls her happy childhood on the Hebridean isle. Richard Blair – George Orwell's son – and Annabel discuss the place and Richard's near death experience aboard a dinghy at the Corryvreckan whirlpool, where he reveals his 'ashes will be going out; so the whirlpool will finally get its dues'.
A surefire flop can so easily flip into being a smash – and vice versa. Actor Michael Simkins has first-hand experience of both. He talks about the 'nature of acting' with Harry Mount and Annabel Sampson – 'you are essentially on a tight rope; on one side lies triumph, and the other doom'.
Mother and daughter, Drusilla Beyfus and Nicola Shulman, debate the case for the ‘greatest decade for fashion’: it’s the 1940s vs the 1970s.
Dr Dora Thornton, a senior curator at the British Museum, reveals the delights of being a curator. She talks to Harry Mount about the Holy Thorn Reliquary, a 14th-century masterpiece in the museum's collection. In the photograph attached to this podcast, you can see Dr Dora admiring the incredible object.
Jimi was all alone in London when his friend and photographer Bruce Fleming invited him over for a festive lunch that rocked on...and on. It was turkey with all the trimmings, discover Harry Mount and Annabel Sampson over coffee and croissants at Bruce's home in Marylebone.
Find out why rosé is always ‘pink wine’; why there’s nothing naffer than Christmas overseas, and why Yule Logs are an unqualified ‘no’ from serial partygoers Rachel Johnson and Nicky Haslam. An interview to accompany their festive double-page spread in the January 2018 issue. Presented by Harry Mount.
Princess Michael of Kent is welcomed back to The Oldie Literary lunch to talk about her latest book A Cheetah's Tale.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
Irrepressible Gyles Brandreth talks about his new book on Christmas and a very funny tale about the Royals.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
Ex editor of The Observer, Donald Trelford talks about his book Shouting in the Street - Adventures and Misadventures of a Fleet Street Survivor at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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'Just a minute' is celebrating its 50th birthday. In all that time, the panel game has been presided over by only one man: 94-year-old Nicholas Parsons. Valerie Grove meets him to discuss his youthful secret. Valerie Grove is then made to play contestant, her topic, 'The Oldie'.
Tanya Gold discusses a Cornish clifftop fall that led to laughing gas, morphine, hugs, jelly on tap and a break from chores – all for free. Tanya Gold tells Harry Mount and Annabel Sampson how she loved being hospitalised.
Mark Mason talks about the perfect pub quiz question in his latest book Question Time. Introduced by veteran comedian Barry Cryer.
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Mary and Giles Wood talk about their book - The Diary of Two Nobodies - at The Oldie Literary Lunch.
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Tom Fort talks about his book, Tom Fort talks about his book, The Village News: The Truth Behind England's Rural Idyll, at The Oldie Literary Lunch at the Savoy in London.
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Editor Harry Mount discusses Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and The Establishment – London's first (and last) satirical night club – with guests, Elisabeth Luard and William Cook. Discussion to supplement two of the November Oldie's lead features.
John Julius Norwich talks about his latest history book Four Princes: Henry VIII, Francis I, Charles V, Suleiman the Magnificent and the Obsession at The Oldie Literary Lunch.
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Francis Beckett tells The Oldie Literary Lunch about his father: Fascist in the Family: The Tragedy of John Beckett M.P.
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Ex Labour MP and campaigner for justice tells the Oldie Literary lunch guests all about his life in his memoir Hinterland.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising. #justice #memoir #oldie
The judging panel chose to celebrate Mary Cameron, David Cameron’s mother with a ‘Mother Knows Best’ award. The retired magistrate, signed a petition early last year condemning a decision by Oxfordshire county council to close over 40 children’s centres in the Conservative-run area. Not content with how her son was running the country she chose to join the other 10,000 in opposition against the Tory spending cuts. Her son – now forgiven - accompanied his mother to the lunch to accept the award.
For more go to www.theoldie.co.uk The Oldie Magazine is available at all good newsagents and Waitrose.
Cameron #MaryCameron #MotherKnowsBest
Glenda Jackson, two-time academy award winner and ex-Labour MP returned to the stage last year as King Lear in a sell-out run at the Old Vic … and all at the ripe old age of 82. Her performance was enough to secure her as our lead winner, the ‘Oldie of the Year’, as well as our ‘Lear of the Year.’ Oldie theatre critic, Paul Bailey, described her performance as ‘magnificent and venomously witty.’ He goes on to say she is ‘forceful when it’s necessary, and reluctantly vulnerable when Lear’s world is falling apart. did I write ‘she’? The fact is that that Jackson makes you forget the she’s a woman. Hers is a Lear who might just be Everyman.’
For more info go to www.theoldie.co.uk You can buy The Oldie Magazine at all good newsagents
GlendaJackson #TheOldie #Drama #Lear
Simpson’s-in-the-strand was alight when The Oldie favourites united for a hearty lunch of steak and kidney pie to honour The Oldie of the Year. The winners were nominated by a judging panel that included satirist Craig Brown, Midweeks’ Libby Purves, actress Maureen Lipman, Oldie publisher, James Pembroke and the wit and wordmeister, Gyles Brandreth, who was also our host.
Oldie gongs were handed out to our The Oldie of the Year, Glenda Jackson for her groundbreaking performance as King Lear at the Old Vic last year. Other awards included a ‘Can still do the Splits’ prize to 92 year-old Thelma Ruby; ‘Oldie Scientist of the Year’ to the remarkable 98 year-old James Lovelock; ‘Pop Artist of the Century’ to the creator of the Sgt Pepper record sleeve, Peter Blake; ‘Oldie Should Have Been’ to Bernie Sanders (accepted by his brother, Larry); and ‘Oldie Campaigners of the Year’ to Vanessa Redgrave and Lord Alfred Dubs for their work campaigning to allow unaccompanied child refugees to be offered safe refuge in the UK.
The Oldie of The Year Awards is brought to you by Baillie Gifford. For more info go to: www.theoldie.co.uk The Oldie Magazine is available at most newsagents.
TheOldie
Author Francis Beckett talking his book 1956: The Year That Changed Britain at an Oldie Literary lunch as part of the Chester Literature festival.
The world's leading expert in peasant cookery talking about her book Squirrel Pie and other stories at the Oldie Literary Lunch.
The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising. #cookery #countryside #oldie
Valerie Grove talking about her compendium of JB Priestley's short stories, entitled 'Grumbling at Large' at an Oldie Literary Lunch as part of Chester Literature festival.
Tom Bower, the investigative journalist and esteemed ‘unauthorised’ biographer on his latest: ‘Broken Vows: Tony Blair – The Tragedy of Power’ at the October 2016 Literary Lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
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Anne Sebba talking about her book Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died in the 1940s at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Philip Eades talking about his book EVELYN WAUGH - A Life Revisited at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Gary Sheffield talking about his book The Chief - Douglas Haig & The British Army at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Anna Pavord talking about her book LANDSKIPPING - Painters, Ploughmen and Places at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Bob Marshall-Andrews QC was a British Labour Party politician and barrister, he also writes. In this recording he talks about about Camille and the Lost Diaries of Samuel Pepys at THE OLDIE LITERARY Lunch.
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THE IDLER Founder & Editor TOM HODGKINSON talks about the art and history of idleness, at THE OLDIE LITERARY Lunch.
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Simon Sebag-Montefiore talking about his book The Romanovs: 1613-1918 at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Brigid Keenan ex Fashion Editor of The Sunday Times, talks about her book Full Marks for Trying an unlikely journey from the Raj to the rage trade at The Oldie Literary lunch.
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Barry Cryer - host of The Oldie Literary Lunches. Talks about his book Barry Cryer's COMEDY SCRAPBOOK.
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Juliet Nicolson grandaughter of Vita Sackville West talking about her book at The Oldie Literary lunch: A House Full of Daughters.
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Vince Cable talks at the renowned OLDIE Literary Lunch about his book After the Storm: The World Economy and Britain's Economic Future.
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Nicholas Parsons talks at the renowned OLDIE Literary Lunch about his book Welcome to Just a Minute!: A Celebration of Britain's Best-Loved Radio Comedy. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
Writer Lucy Lethbridge talks at the renowned OLDIE Literary Lunch about her book SPIT & POLISH Tried & True British Cleaning Tips
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Biographer Jeremy Lewis talks at the renowned OLDIE Literary Lunch about DAVID ASTOR of the Astor family and editor of The Observer.
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Quentin Letts Journalist talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch about his comic book about the House of Commons: The Speaker's Wife.
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The Daily Mail's Bel Mooney talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch about her agony column and latest book Life Lines - Words To See You Through.
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Andrew Lownie talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch about his book: Stalin's Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess.
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Join Gyles Brandeth introducing THE OLDIE OF THE YEAR at SImpson's on the Strand. Gyles presents prizes to Olivia De Havilland, Jeremy Hutchinson, Aung San Suu Kyi, Molly Meacher, Timothy West & Prunella Scales, Robert Hardy, Germaine Greer, Don McCullin, Lady Colin Campbell and Leon & June.
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At 99 and a half years old. Olivia de Havilland the Hollywood star graciously accepts her Oldie of The Year Award 2016.
Adam Sisman talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch about his biography about John Le Carre.
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Humprey Burton talks about Menuhin: A Life at the renowned literary lunch. In 2000, the presenter of the BBC's "Young Musician' series wrote the life the world's most famous Yehudi Menuhin, who has been close colleague. To mark Menuhin's centenary this biography has been republished with a new introduction.
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Jonathan Dimbleby talks at the renowned Oldie Magazine literary lunch. The presenter of ANY QUESTIONS? Talks about the battle that secured the Allied Victory and which ran through the whole course of the war.
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The Oldie Recordings presents Paul Willetts, chronicler of Soho and Fitzrovia, has dug up a spy story whose protagonists include a white Russian Nazi and a US Embassy double agent.
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Jonathan Fenby talks at The Oldie Literary Lunch about his latest book which explores the tempestuous history of modern France. For more than a decade Jonathan was head of Reuters in Paris.
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Gyles Brandeth the star performer talks at The Oldie Literary Lunch. He is someone who would entertain even if he simply read from the Yellow Pages. Gyles reveals why he is such a scream on BBC Radio 4's Just A Minute: prepare yourself for a linguistic frenzy of palindromes, mnemonics and acronyms.
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Ian Kershaw talks at the enowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, London W1. Kershaw is the leading expert on Hitler and Nazi Germany. His latest work focuses on the consequences for Europe of being plunged into two World Wars.
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Barry Cryer, comedian and writer makes up for Jonathan Miller not turning up to the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, by telling some of his eponymous parrot jokes.
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Classicist and historian Tom Holland talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, London W1. Dynasty - The Rise & Fall of the House of Caesar is a prequel to Persian Fire and Rubicon. The book provides an exuberant portrait of Rome's first imperial Dynasty.
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The renowned Oldie Literary lunch held in Brighton welcomes Flora Fraser, granddaughter of Elizabeth Longford and daughter of Antonia Fraser. Flora describes the marriage of The Washingtons, George and Martha, and the struggle for independence in the US.
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The biggest selling Historian in the UK Alison Weir talks about The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox at a renowned Oldie Literary lunch. Her latest book looks at the life of scandal, imprisonment, drama and tragedy of this relatively unknown royal Tudor.
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The Oldie Lunch Recordings presents Piers Paul Read's latest novel reimagines the life of Vitellio Scarpia, the villain of Puccini's Tosca. With a backdrop of 18th Century Rome, we follow him from disgrace and penury to his fatal clinch with Tosca who he ruined.
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Charles Moore on Margaret Thatcher: Everything She Wants Volume Two: talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, London W1. Moore returns to Simpson's to talk about his much awaited Volume Two of his highly praised biography.
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Patrick Bishop Author of The Cooler Kings talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, London W1. Bishop has spent 26 years covering conflicts around the world and has reported from the front line of almost every major war of our era. Author of The Fighter Boys, his new work tells us the story of Canadian Spitfire pilot William Ash who defied the Nazis by trying to escape from a succession of PoW camps.
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Stephen Clarke Author of How The French Won Waterloo or think they did talks at the renowned Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpsons on the Stand, London W1. Clarke paints the French version of Wellington and Blucher's victory in 1815. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
Benjamin West and the Struggle to be Modern At the time of his death in 1820, Benjamin West was the most famous artist in the English-speaking world, and much admired throughout Europe. From humble beginnings in Pennsylvania, he had become the first American artist to study in Italy, and within a few short years of his arrival in London, was instrumental in the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts (he succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds to become its second President) and became history painter to King George III. Grossman explains why Wolfe was such an instant success and why this thrilling work of art continues to exercise such a strong grip on our imaginations nearly 250 years after it was first shown to the public. He situates West in the midst of Enlightenment thinking about history and modernity, and seeks to demolish some of the prejudices about the talent and intentions of the young man from the Pennsylvania frontier who attained such eminence at the British court." Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in 1979, the first woman to hold the position, and the first woman in the Western world to lead a nation.
Within two years she was beset by troubles, and it seemed her historic government would be short-lived. In 1981 unemployment had risen to levels not seen since the 1930s and public finances foundered in their worst state since 1945. The 'no hope' budget delivered by Chancellor Geoffrey Howe in March marked the beginning of a six-month period which witnessed pressures in Northern Ireland, hunger strikes, urban riots and unprecedented unrest within the Conservative Party.
By the Cabinet reshuffle of 14 September, in which mutinous grandees were removed, Thatcher had firmly reasserted her authority. This extraordinary six-month period would come to define the Conservative Party's most successful and divisive modern figure: to her detractors a harsh, uncaring and dogmatic leader who made the country a more unequal, materialistic and brutal place; to her supporters, the saviour of a Britain which was becoming an ungovernable socialist state. The 1983 general election would prove a triumph.
Kwasi Kwarteng here captures this shopkeeper's daughter's unique leadership qualities - from her pulpit style and New Testament imagery to her emphasis on personal moral responsibility - in some of the most adverse conditions facing any statesman in modern peacetime to offer a compelling study of arguably the most significant six months in British post-war history.
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'A cul-de-sac, a dead-end track, A sandbanked strand to sink a fleet, A bay, a bar, a strip, a trap, A wrecking ground, that's Shingle Street.' Blake Morrison's first two collections, Dark Glasses (1984) and The Ballad of a Yorkshire Ripper (1987) established him as one of our most inventive and accomplished contemporary poets. In his first full-length collection for nearly thirty years, Shingle Street sees a return to the form with which he started his career. Set along the Suffolk coast, the opening poems address a receding world - an eroding landscape, 'abashed by the ocean's passion'. But coastal life gives way to other, more dangerous, vistas: a wave unleashes a flood-tide of terror; a sequence of topical poems lays bare pressing political issues; while elsewhere portraits of the past bring forth the dear and the departed. Ardent and elegiac, and encompassing an impressive range of mood and method, this is a timely offering from a poet of distinct talents.
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Robert Douglas-Fairhurst on 'The Story of Alice: Lewis Carroll and the Secret History of Wonderland' at The Oldie Literary Lunch at Rye Arts Festival
Oliver Kamm on 'Accidence will Happen: The Non-Pedantic Guide to English Usage' at The Oldie Literary Lunch at Rye Arts Festival
Harry Mount on 'Harry Mount's Odyssey: Ancient Greece in the Footsteps of Odysseus' at The Oldie Literary Lunch at Rye Arts Festival
Valerie Grove talks about her new book, The Loves of Laurie Lee, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Helen Lederer talks about her new book, Losing It, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Ferdinand Mount talks about his new book, The Tears of the Rajas: Mutiny, Money and Marriage in India, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Wendy Cope talks about her new book, Life, Love and The Archers, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Terry Waites talks about his new book, The Voyage of the Golden Handshake, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Andy McNab talks about his new book, State of Emergency, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Travel writer and historian Anthony Sattin takes a look at the awkward young man who became the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Historian Lady Antonia Fraser discusses her memoir My History with broadcaster Mark Lawson, at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Historian Andrew Roberts attempts to redeem that much maligned figure, Napoleon - and insists he wasn't really that short...
Sara Wheeler, author of Terra Incognita and biographies of Denys Finch-Hatton and Apsley Cherry-Garrard, talks about O, My America at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
Christopher Simon Sykes delves into the man behind the paint in the second volume of his biography of David Hockney at the prestigious Oldie literary lunch at Simpson’s in the Strand.
The 13th Baillie Gifford Oldie of the Year Awards was held at Simpsons-in-the-Strand on Tuesday 3rd February 2015. Our winners were Sir Roger Bannister (Long Distance Runner of the Year), Michael Buerk (Jungle Survivor of the Year), Lord Falconer (Slimmer of the Year), Ian Lavender (Stupid Boy of the Year) and Bridget Riley (Stripe Artist of the Year). Ken Dodd was announced as our Oldie of the Year 2015.
Valerie Grove steps in for Lynn Barber, five-time British Press Award winner and interviewer extraordinaire, to talk about Barber's new book, Curious Career, at the Oldie Literary Lunches at Simpson's-in-the-Strand.
The former home secretary and one of our top speakers of 2013 returns to the Oldie Literary Lunch at Simpson's-in-the-Strand to talk about the second volume of his memoirs. It charts Johnson's life from age eighteen to his mid-thirties - the time he worked for both the Post Office and its trade union.
David Kynaston returns, to the Oldie Literary Lunches at Simpson's-in-the-Strand, with another volume of insights into the inner workings of inter-generational post-war Britain. Lessons learned from a fading decade are subsumed into the dawn of the oncoming one - an insightful, detailed portrait of a nation in flux.