Radio Oldie

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 revea...

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. 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.u...

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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.

'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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.

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.

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.

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. The Oldie Literary Lunch is brought to you by Noble Caledonia - the world leaders in small ship cruising.

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.

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 To...

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.’ H...