Radio Oldie – Details, episodes & analysis

Listen to Leslie Caron, aged 93, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf.

Multi-award winner Leslie Caron was born in 1931 and is a French and American actress and dancer. Leslie is best known for her role in Gigi.

As Americans go to the polls, listen to Antonia Fraser on taking a dip in the White House pool with President Kennedy – in Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume.
In March 1962, Antonia Fraser and her husband, Conservative MP Hugh Fraser, dropped in on President Kennedy at the White House. They joined him for a dip in the White House pool - and Antonia Fraser borrowed Jackie Kennedy's swimming costume

Hugh Fraser, my first husband, MP for Stafford and Stone since 1945, was an old friend of Jack Kennedy’s. They were exact contemporaries and first knew each other when Joe Kennedy was American Ambassador to London in 1938.

In 1962, Hugh was Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. On his way back from an official visit to British Guiana, he joined me at the British Embassy in Washington, as guests of another contemporary, David Ormsby-Gore, the new Ambassador. We were invited to swim in the White House pool by the President.

In my photograph album, I wrote beneath the photo: Probably the most worthwhile photograph I have ever taken. First and foremost, Hugh bathing in the White House pool. Also present the President of the United States. I actually took this photograph myself, never believing it would come out (it was the last one on the reel). Our bathe in the White House pool was really the high point of our stay in Washington – and indeed of my stay in America. I managed to squeeze into Jackie Kennedy’s bathing dress and cavorted in the boiling pool [warmed up to help JFK’s back problems], hoping to catch the Presidential eye, while Hugh buttonholed him about British Guiana.

At 92, the Oldie's new columnist, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, has written a new book, Patchwork Pieces. She tells Harry Mount all about Guy Fawkes – and the sex life of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

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 
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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 #PoppyAppeal #everypoppycounts #podcast #podcasts

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