1: September Issue: Soho's Golden Age
Christopher Howse recalls the heyday of London’s boozy artistic bohemia – from the Forties to the Eighties. In conversation with Harry Mount.
22m Aug 07, 2018
22m
1: Miles Goslett on An Inconvenient Death: How the Establishment Covered up the David Kelly Affair at the Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
14m Aug 07, 2018
14m
1: Leanda de Lisle on The White King: The Untold Story of Charles I at the Oldie Literary Lunch
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.
13m Aug 07, 2018
13m
1: D. J. Taylor on Rock and Roll is Life: A Novel at the Oldie Literary Lunch
'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 ...
11m Aug 07, 2018
11m
An extract from Sam Leith at the Oldie Journalism Course
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.
7m Jul 10, 2018
7m
An extract from Mary Kenny at the Oldie Journalism Course
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.
8m Jul 10, 2018
8m
August Issue: Rules Britannia
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.
22m Jul 10, 2018
22m
Stanley Johnson on Kompromat
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.
16m Jul 10, 2018
16m
Christopher Somerville on The January Man: A Year of Walking Britain
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.
9m Jul 10, 2018
9m
Anna Pasternak on Lara: The Untold Love Story and the Inspiration for Doctor Zhivago
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.
13m Jul 10, 2018
13m
5: July issue: Roger Lewis looks back on his journalism and books
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.
55m Jun 12, 2018
55m
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