The Oldie magazine’s eclectic awards honour ‘the best of the older generation’

An eclectic array of awards honouring “the best of the older generation”, ranging from the reverent to ridiculous, were handed out to the likes of Lionel Blair, Amanda Barrie and Sheila Hancock today.
Lionel Blair and Amanda Barrie  arriving for the Oldie of the Year awards at Simpson's in the Strand, in London. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA WireLionel Blair and Amanda Barrie  arriving for the Oldie of the Year awards at Simpson's in the Strand, in London. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Lionel Blair and Amanda Barrie arriving for the Oldie of the Year awards at Simpson's in the Strand, in London. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Oldie Magazine’s annual awards are now in their 27th year, and saw celebrity guests tuck into a three course meal at London’s Simpson’s-in-the-Strand before a tongue in cheek ceremony.

The Lionel d’Or Oldie of the Year went to 90-year-old entertainer Lionel Blair, while the team behind the Carry On Films were handed The Keep Calm and Carry On Award, collected by one of the film’s most notable stars, Amanda Barrie, who is 83.

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Sheila Hancock, 85, and To The Manor Born actor Peter Bowles, 82, won Leading Lady and Leading Man.

Author Judith Kerr, 95, best known for The Tiger Who Came To Tea and the Mog series of books, scooped Oldie Tigress We’d Like To Have To Tea.

The Oldie’s publisher, James Pembroke, told the Yorkshire Post the judges, who were chaired by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, were looking for people “who still have a bit of snap in their celery”.

He said: “It was an amazing event, really wonderful.

“Eighty is young - 90 is now when you start to take people seriously.”

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Other winners, included The Naked Ape author Desmond Morris, who at 90 was given the Creative Ape of the Year award, road sign designer Margaret Calvert, and Lady Avon. The niece of Winston Churchill, and widow of former Prime Minister Anthony Eden, was given the Oldie Who Has Seen It All Before, and Worse award.