4: Charles Duff on Charley's Woods at the Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
18m Jun 12, 2018
18m
3: Angela Levin on Harry: Conversations with the Prince at the Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
11m Jun 12, 2018
11m
2: Lady Antonia Fraser in conversation with Harry Mount at the Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
13m Jun 12, 2018
13m
July Issue: Hancock's Last Hours
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.
17m Jun 12, 2018
17m
Paul Atterbury and Marc Allum, Hugo Vickers and John Tusa at the April 2018 Literary Lunch
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...
30m Apr 20, 2018
30m
Extract from the Oldie Computer course with Matthew Webster
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.
1hr 2m Apr 16, 2018
1hr 2m
May issue: Tom Hodgkinson on being idle
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.
29m Apr 16, 2018
29m
May issue: Back to the Falklands
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.
20m Apr 16, 2018
20m
Spring issue: Those magnificent men of the RAF
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.
25m Mar 20, 2018
25m
Spring 2018 issue: Fat pride is fat-headed
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.
18m Mar 20, 2018
18m
Nicholas Shakespeare, Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan and Simon Jenkins at the March 2018 Literary Lunch
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'. Pete...
41m Mar 19, 2018
41m
April 2018 issue: Paddy the Great, king of Greece
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 ...
26m Feb 20, 2018
26m
April 2018 issue: I wrote a Ladybird book
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 re...
15m Feb 20, 2018
15m
The Oldie of the Year Awards 2018
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.
35m Feb 07, 2018
35m
Matthew Fort on Summer in the Islands, The Oldie Literary Lunch
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
11m Jan 25, 2018
11m
The Making of the British Landscape by Nicholas Crane at The Oldie Literary Lunch
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. 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...
8m Jan 25, 2018
8m
Splash! by Stephen Glover at The Oldie Literary Lunch
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
7m Jan 25, 2018
7m
March 2018 issue: My Orwellian holidays
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'.
31m Jan 24, 2018
31m
March 2018 issue: Hit or miss? It's a fine line
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'.
21m Jan 24, 2018
21m
February 2018 issue: 1940s vs 1970s fashion
Mother and daughter, Drusilla Beyfus and Nicola Shulman, debate the case for the ‘greatest decade for fashion’: it’s the 1940s vs the 1970s.
15m Dec 21, 2017
15m
February 2018 issue: Behind the scenes at the British Museum
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.
12m Dec 21, 2017
12m
January 2018 issue: Christmas with Jimi Hendrix
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.
24m Nov 29, 2017
24m
January 2018 Issue: Rachel Johnson and Nicky Haslam's ruthless guide to Christmas parties
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.
24m Nov 29, 2017
24m
Princes Michael of Kent, A Cheetah's Tale at The Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
17m Nov 24, 2017
17m
Gyles Brandreth on Christmas at The Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
15m Nov 24, 2017
15m
Donald Trelford, Shouting in the Street The Oldie Literary Lunch
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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
9m Nov 24, 2017
9m
December 2017 issue: Sixty seconds that hooked the nation
'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'.
29m Nov 02, 2017
29m
December 2017 issue: Tanya Gold's lucky trip to hospital wonderland
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.
9m Nov 02, 2017
9m
The Oldie Literary Lunch: Mark Mason on Question Time
Mark Mason talks about the perfect pub quiz question in his latest book Question Time. Introduced by veteran comedian Barry Cryer. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
12m Oct 31, 2017
12m
Oldie Literary Lunch, Mary & Giles Wood, The Diary of Two Nobodies
Mary and Giles Wood talk about their book - The Diary of Two Nobodies - at The Oldie Literary Lunch. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
11m Oct 31, 2017
11m
Oldie Literary Lunch The Village News: The Truth Behind England's Idyll by Tom Fort at The Oldie Lunch
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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
10m Oct 31, 2017
10m
November 2017 Issue: Peter Cook at 80
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.
29m Oct 04, 2017
29m
Oldie Literary Lunch: John Julius Norwich, Four Princes
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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
18m Feb 16, 2017
18m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Francis Beckett, Fascist in the Family
Francis Beckett tells The Oldie Literary Lunch about his father: Fascist in the Family: The Tragedy of John Beckett M.P. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.
12m Feb 16, 2017
12m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Chris Mullin, Hinterland
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
14m Feb 16, 2017
14m
Oldie of the Year Awards 2017: Mary Cameron, ‘Mother Knows Best’ award
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...
5m Feb 09, 2017
5m
Oldie of the Year Awards 2017: Glenda Jackson our ‘Oldie of the Year'
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....
5m Feb 09, 2017
5m
OLDIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2017
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 hand...
41m Feb 09, 2017
41m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Francis Beckett, 1956: The Year That Changed Britain
Author Francis Beckett talking his book 1956: The Year That Changed Britain at an Oldie Literary lunch as part of the Chester Literature festival.
11m Nov 30, 2016
11m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Elisabeth Luard, Squirrel Pie
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
10m Nov 30, 2016
10m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Valerie Grove on JB Priestley
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.
13m Nov 30, 2016
13m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Tom Bower on Tony Blair
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. Brought to you by Noble Caledonia - The world experts in small ship cruising.
21m Oct 29, 2016
21m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Anna Sebba on Les Parisiennes
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. Brought to you by Noble Caledonia - The world experts in small ship cruising.
16m Oct 29, 2016
16m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Philip Eades on Evelyn Waugh
Philip Eades talking about his book EVELYN WAUGH - A Life Revisited at The Oldie Literary lunch. Brought to you by Noble Caledonia - The world experts in small ship cruising.
10m Oct 29, 2016
10m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Gary Sheffield on Douglas Haig
Gary Sheffield talking about his book The Chief - Douglas Haig & The British Army at The Oldie Literary lunch. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
12m Jul 12, 2016
12m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Anna Pavord on Landskipping
Anna Pavord talking about her book LANDSKIPPING - Painters, Ploughmen and Places at The Oldie Literary lunch. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
12m Jul 12, 2016
12m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Bob Marshall Andrews on The Lost Diaries of Samuel Pepys
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. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
10m Jul 12, 2016
10m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Founder & Editor Tom Hodgkinson on The Idler
THE IDLER Founder & Editor TOM HODGKINSON talks about the art and history of idleness, at THE OLDIE LITERARY Lunch. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
14m Jun 10, 2016
14m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Simon Sebag-Montefiore on the Romanovs
Simon Sebag-Montefiore talking about his book The Romanovs: 1613-1918 at The Oldie Literary lunch. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
11m Jun 10, 2016
11m
Oldie Literary Lunch: Brigid Keenan, Full Marks for Trying
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. Sponsored by Doro, number one in the senior mobile market
14m Jun 10, 2016
14m