While the Women's Institute traditionally rounds off proceedings with a chorus of Jerusalem, the ritual at Oldie functions was for Barry Cryer to tell his parrot joke (‘Hello, Keith!’), which never failed to bring the house down.
Barry (1935-2022) championed the magazine for a quarter of a century. He introduced luminaries at the Oldie Literary Lunches, was present at receptions and launching parties. He was unswervingly loyal to editorial staff and contributors. As his son Bob quotes Stephen Fry as saying, in this warmhearted tribute, ‘He was always welcoming to new talent in comedy. He never succumbed to envy and bitterness. He saw all comedy as one.’
This is true. Barry was appreciative and well mannered. There was never any malice or
