The Oldie Podcast

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

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

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 SNOW spoke 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 characteristic

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 #Pop

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