The following is a list of the guests that we have been honoured to host at The Society of Old Friends.
Mr Arthur Waugh | 1910 | Author and Chairman of the Publishers Circle |
Mr P S Porteous | 1911 | Author |
Mr William Pett Ridge | 1912 and 1921 | Author of books about London’s East End |
Mr John Walker | 1913 | Author |
Mr Yoshio Markino | 1914 | Japanese artist and author |
Mr Charles Garvice | 1915 | A writer for the English Home |
Mr Arnold White | 1916 | Journalist known as “Vanoc” of “the Referee” |
Mr Horatio Bottomley | 1917 | Founder of the Financial Times and Editor of “John Bull” |
Mr H G Wells | 1918 | Author of The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds |
Captain Bruce Bairnfather | 1918 | Humourist and cartoonist |
Ms. Florence Barclay | 1919 | Author of The Rosary |
Mr John Buchan (Lord Tweedsmuir) | 1920 | Author of The 39 Steps |
Mr Tom Webster | 1921 | Humourist and cartoonist |
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Sir John and Lady Baddeley | 1922 | Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London |
Major J H Beith (Ian Hay) | 1922 | Schoolmaster and soldier, novelist, playwright, essayist and historian |
Miss Lena Ashwell OBE | 1923 | Actress |
Mr Percy Barringer | 1923 | President of the Stationers’ Association |
Miss Clemence Dane CBE | 1924 | Academy award winning novelist and playwright |
Mr Gilbert Frankau | 1924 | Novelist |
Miss Sheila Kaye Smith | 1925 | Novelist |
Mr P G H Fender | 1925 | Surrey and England Cricketer |
Dame Emilie Rose Macaulay DBE | 1926 | Novelist best known for The Towers of Trebizond |
Mr Donald Maxwell | 1926 | Travel writer and illustrator of books including by Kipling |
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Lord and Lady Ebbisham | 1927 and 1939 | Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London |
Mr Morley Roberts | 1927 | Novelist and short story writer |
Miss Rosita Forbes | 1928 | Travel writer and explorer |
Mr L G Sloan | 1928 | Unknown |
Miss Marjorie Bowen | 1929 | Author of The Viper of Milan |
Mr John Drinkwater | 1929 | Poet and dramatist |
Mr Bransby Williams | 1930 | Actor, comedian and monologist |
Mr Michael Sadleir | 1930 | Author of Fanny by Gaslight, historian and book collector |
Miss Rebecca West CBE | 1931 | Author, journalist, literary critic and travel writer |
Mr Hilaire Belloc | 1931 | Author, orator, poet, writer of Cautionary Tales for Children and political activist |
Miss Rose Fyleman | 1932 | Author of childrens books and poets |
Sir Alan P. Herbert Kt | 1932 | Humourist, novelist, playwright and law reform activist |
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress Sir Percy and Lady Greenaway | 1933 | Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London |
Lady Tree OBE | 1933 | Actress |
Sir Phillip Gibbs KBE | 1933 | War correspondent of the Daily Telegraph |
Mrs Beatrice Kean Seymour | 1934 | Novelist and short story writer |
Sir Edgar L Waterlow Bt | 1934 | Stationer and printer |
Miss Helen Simpson | 1935 | Australian novelist |
Mr Humbert Wolfe CB CBE | 1935 | Italian-born British poet, man of letters and civil servant |
Miss Pamela Frankau | 1936 | Novelist |
Sir John Berry “Jack” Hobbs | 1936 | Surrey and England Cricketer |
Mr Sidney J Sandle | 1936 | Master of the Stationers Company |
Miss Mary Borden | 1937 | American novelist |
Dr A J Cronin | 1937 | Author of The Citadel |
Miss Dorothy L Sayers | 1938 | Author of detective stories |
Sir Hugh Walpole CBE | 1938 | Novelist |
Miss Helena Grose | 1939 | Novelist |
Miss Clara Margery Melita Sharp | 1940 | Writer of novels and plays, including The Rescuers |
Mr F P Bishop MBE | 1941 | Times columnist and internationally respected advocate of advertising self-regulation |
Mr J B Priestley OM | 1941 | Novelist, playwright, scriptwriter, social commentator, and broadcaster, most famous for his play, An Inspector Calls |
Miss Marguerite Steen | 1941 | Novelist best known for The Sun is my Undoing |
The Rt Hon Arthur Greenwood CH | 1941 | Minister without Portfolio in Churchill’s war cabinet |
Miss Mabel Constanduros | 1942 | Radio star and creator of The Buggin’s Family |
Commander A B Campbell RD | 1943 | Author of childrens and travel books, member of the BBC Brains Trust |
Mr Howard Marshall | 1943 | Distinguished BBC sports and outside events commentator |
Lord Elton | 1945 | Historian |
Lt Col W A Collins CBE DSO | 1945 | Chairman of the Scottish branch of the Empire Societies War Hospitality Commottee |
Mr Peter Cheyney | 1946 | Author of detective novels |
Mr Howard Spring | 1946 | Author and literary critic |
Mr Norman Collins | 1947 | Writer, radio and television executive, one of the major figures behind the establishment of Independent Television (ITV) |
Dame Lilian Braithwaite DBE | 1947 | English stage actress |
Mr R C Robertson-Glasgow | 1948 | Scottish cricketer and cricket writer |
Mr Richard Dimbleby OBE | 1949 | Journalist and broadcaster, BBC’s first war correspondent, and then its leading TV news commentator. |
Miss Ruby M Ayres | 1949 | Romance novelist |
Sir Compton Mackenzie Kt OBE | 1949 | Author of Monarch of the Glen and co-founder of the SNP |
Mr Wilfred Pickles OBE | 1950 | Actor and Radio Presenter |
Mr Stuart Hibberd MBE | 1950 | Senior BBC announcer |
Miss Monica Dickens | 1951 | English writer, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens |
Mr Harold Abrahams CBE | 1952 | Olympic Champion and inspiration for Chariots of Fire |
Mr L A G Strong | 1952 | Novelist, critic, historian and poet |
Mr Hammond Innes | 1953 | Writer of over 30 novels, as well as children’s and travel books |
Mr Leslie Mitchell | 1953 | Radio and televison announcer, the first voice heard on BBC Television |
Mr Claud Mullins | 1954 | Lawyer |
Mr Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald | 1954 | Journalist, naturalist and writer of books on wildlife, cats, and dogs |
The Rt Hon Viscount Soulbury GCVO GCMG OBE MC DL |
1955 | Conservative politician, government minister 1931-1941 and Governor-General of Ceylon |
The Rt Hon The Lord Winster KCMG | 1955 | Liberal then Labour politician, Minister of Civil Aviation 1945-1946, Governor of Cyprus 1946-1949 |
Mr Peter Scott CBE DSC | 1956 | Conservationist, painter, naval officer, broadcaster and sportsman. Founder World Wide Fund for Nature |
Miss Pat Smythe MBE | 1956 | One of Britain’s premier female showjumpers and writer of pony books for children |
Miss Nancy Spain | 1957 | Broadcaster, journalist, columnist and panelist on What’s My Line? and Juke Box Jury |
Mr Christopher Brasher | 1957 | Olympic Champion and later founder of the London Marathon |
Miss Noel Streatfield | 1957 | Writer of fiction and non-fiction |
Lt Cmdr P K Kemp RN (Retd) | 1958 | Author of books on naval history |
Mr Kenneth Wolstenholme DFC | 1958 | Journalist, decorated bomber pilot and football commentator |
Lady Grenfell | 1959 | Daughter of the Duke of Malborough |
His Honour Sir Gerald Hargreaves | 1959 | Writer of Atalanta: A Story of Atlantis: A Fantasy with Music |
Miss Margaret Rawlings | 1960 | Stage actress and co-founder of Equity, the actors’ union |
Mr Uffa Fox CBE | 1960 | Boat designer and sailing enthusiast |
Miss Anona Winn MBE | 1961 | Australian-born actress, broadcaster and singer |
Mr Jim Laker | 1961 | England spin bowler who took 19 wickets in a match v Australia |
Mrs Bud Flanagan | 1962 | Wife of vaudeville entertainer of Flanagan and Allen fame |
Mr Vivian Ellis | 1962 | Musical comedy composer best known for the song “Spread a Little Happiness” |
Miss Jessie Mattthews | 1963 | Actress, dancer and singer in the 20s and 30s, later an actress |
Col J D Henson MBE MC | 1963 | Decorated soldier served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the War Office |
Sir Barnes N Wallis CBE FRS | 1964 | Scientist, engineer and inventor of the bouncing bomb |
Miss Elizabeth Bowen CBE | 1964 | Irish novelist and short story writer |
Mr Michael Hornby | 1965 | Vice chairman of WHSmith, the British retail chain, for over 20 years |
Miss Ruby Miller | 1965 | British stage and film actress. Originally one of George Edwardes’ ‘Gaiety Girls’ |
Mr Eric Robinson | 1966 | Conductor and presenter of music for the BBC |
Mrs N Jonathan Routh | 1966 | Wife of the star of Candid Camera |
Dr Richard Gordon (pen name of Gordon Ostlere) | 1967 | Surgeon and anaesthetist writer of The Doctor in the House novels and screenplays |
Dame Joan Vickers DBE MP | 1967 | Conservative politician |
The Hon Patrick Maitland, 17th Earl of Lauderdale | 1968 | Scottish Unionist politician |
Miss Margaret Powell | 1968 | Writer whose book Below Stairs inspired Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey |
Mr Alan Bestic | 1969 | Irish author of Escape from Auschwitz |
Miss Jilly Cooper OBE | 1969 | Writer of romance novels, notably Riders and the Rutshire Chronicles |
Lord Francis Williams CBE | 1970 | Editor of the Dail Herald and PR Advisor top Clement Attlee |
Miss Christina Foyle | 1970 | Bookseller and owner of Foyles bookshop |
Lord Justice Sir H Gordon Willmer OBE TD MA | 1971 | The acknowledged master of Admiralty Law |
Miss Harriet Crawley | 1971 | Author of The Lovers and the Loved |
Mr George MacDonald Fraser | 1972 | Author of novels and screenplays. Best known for stories featuring the character, Flashman |
Miss Audrey Slaughter | 1972 | Magazine editor who founded Honey and Petticoat, stepmother of Anna Wintour |
Mr W Stewart MC MA | 1973 | Master of Haileybury College |
Miss Renee Houston | 1973 | Scottish comedy actress and revue artist who appeared in television and film roles |
Mr Peter Bull | 1974 | Character actor and writer |
Mrs Patricia Gibson | 1974 | Britain’s top secretary |
The Rt Hon Lord Peddie MBE JP | 1975 | Businessman and politician, a leading figure in the UK co-operative movement |
Mrs Dorothy Dunnett | 1975 | Scottish historical novelist |
Mr Allan Prior | 1976 | Television scriptwriter and novelist, founder-writer of Z Cars |
Mrs Rosa Maria Letts | 1976 | Art historian and lecturer |
Mr Alfred Howard MM BEM | 1977 | Town crier and entertainer at the Society’s childrens parties |
Mrs Barbarta Cartland DStJ | 1977 | Author of romance novels, one of the most prolific and best-selling authors of the 20th century (escorted by Rt Hon Earl Mountbatten of Burma!) |
The Rt Hon Earl Mountbatten of Burma KG GCB GCSI GCVO OM DSO |
1977 | Rear Admiral, last Viceroy of India |
Mr Frank Muir | 1978 | Comedy writer, radio and television personality, and raconteur. Host of Call My Bluff! |
Mrs Claire Rayner | 1978 | Nurse, journalist, broadcaster and novelist, best known as an agony aunt |
Mr John Snagge OBE | 1979 | British newsreader and commentator on BBC Radio – read 1st bulletin ever on BBC TV News |
Mollie Sugden (Mrs W Moore) | 1979 | Actress best know as Mrs Slocombe in Are You Being Served? |
Mr Peter Wolfe | 1980 | Old Friend and renowned after-dinner speaker |
Miss Katie Boyle | 1980 | TV personality and game-show panelist, known for presenting the Eurovision Song Contest in the 60s and 70s |
Mr Ivor Spencer | 1981 | Founder of the Ivor Spencer International School for Butlers and the Professional School for Toastmasters |
Miss Joan Barrell | 1981 | Publisher of women’s magazines |
The Rt Hon Enoch Powell MBE MP MA | 1982 | Conservative and Ulster Unionist politician, classical scholar, linguist, and poet |
Baroness Phillips of Fulham JP | 1982 | Labour politician and magistrate. First female whip in the House of Lords. |
Mr Monty Moss | 1983 | Chairman of Moss Bros tailors |
Ms Audrey Eyton | 1983 | Founder of Slimming World and author of the F Plan Diet |
The Hon Mark Bonham Carter Bt | 1984 | Politician and publisher, 1st Chairman of the Race Relations Board |
Miss Molly Weir | 1984 | Scottish actress best known for Hazel the McWitch in Rentaghost |
Mr Leslie Thomas OBE | 1985 | Novelist and author best known for The Virgin Soldiers |
Mrs Marguerite Patten CBE | 1985 | Home economist, food writer and broadcaster |
Sir Simon Hornby | 1986 | Chairman of WH Smith, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Design Council |
Mr David Jacobs CBE | 1986 | Presenter of Juke Box Jury, Any Questions and Radio 2 broadcaster |
Mr Cardew Robinson | 1987 | British comic, whose craft was rooted in the music hall and gang shows |
Mr Barry Norman CBE | 1987 | Film critic, media personality, novelist |
The Rt Hon The Lord Grade of Elstree KCSS | 1988 | Media proprietor, theatrical impressario and talent agent |
Mrs Sylvia Haymon | 1988 | Writer, author of children’s and youth literature and detective novels |
Mr Frank Delaney | 1989 | Irish author and screenwriter |
Miss Jean Rook | 1989 | Journalist and Daily Express columnist |
Mr Charlie Smithers | 1990 | One of Britain’s best known club comedians |
Miss Virginia McKenna OBE | 1990 | Stage and screen actress, author and wildlife campaigner |
Sir Rex Hunt | 1991 | Governor of the Falkland Islands at the time of the Falklands war |
Miss Moira Shearer, Lady Kennedy | 1991 | Internationally renowned actress and ballet dancer |
Mr Emlyn Hughes OBE | 1992 | Captain of Liverpool and England and media personality |
Mrs Lynda Lee-Potter OBE | 1992 | Award winning Daily Mail journalist |
Mr David Mellor QC MP | 1993 | MP, Cabinet minister, broadcaster, journalist and businessman |
Miss Alison Halford | 1993 | Britain’s most senior female police officer, later member of the Welsh Assembly |
Sir Chris Bonnington CVO, CBE, DL | 1994 | Mountaineer, explorer, author and fundraiser |
Mrs Jenny Pitman OBE | 1994 | Racehorse trainer and author. The first woman to train a Grand National winner |
Mr Ken Livingstone MP | 1995 | MP, Leader of the GLC and 1st Mayor of London |
Mrs Frances Edmonds | 1995 | Author of books on cricket and touring |
Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE | 1996 | British Army Officer; explorer and adventurer |
Ms Maureen Lipman CBE | 1996 | Film, theatre and television actress, columnist and comedian |
Mr Jimmy Hill OBE | 1997 | Footballer, coach, manager, PFA leader and Match of the Day host |
Ms Nina Myskow | 1997 | Journalist and TV personality |
Sir Gerald Kaufman MP | 1998 | Former Government minister and member of the Shadow Cabinet |
Miss Janet Brown | 1998 | Actress, comedian, impressionist |
Col John Blashford-Snell OBE | 1999 | Army officer, explorer and author. Founded the Scientific Exploration Society |
Dame Mary Peters CH DBE | 1999 | Olympic champion pentathlete, fundraiser and community ambassador |
Mr Christopher Martin-Jenkins MBE | 2000 | Journalist presenter of Test Match Special and President of MCC |
Mr Tony Bullimore | 2000 | Round the world yachtsman |
Mr Jack Charlton OBE DL | 2001 | England world cup winning footballer and football manager |
Miss Janet Street-Porter CBE | 2001 | Journalist, newspaper editor, media personality |
Mr Tim Brooke-Taylor OBE | 2002 | Comic actor, author and media personality |
Mr Monty Raphael | 2002 | Renowned lawyer specialising in financial wrongdoing |
Professor Heinz Wolff | 2003 | German-British scientist, and television and radio presenter |
Mr Jonathan Straker | 2003 | President of BOSS, Master of The Stationers Company |
Mr Ronnie Corbett CBE | 2004 | Comedian, actor, writer, broadcaster |
Ms Anita Harris | 2004 | Actress, singer and entertainer |
Mr Peter Osgood | 2005 | Chelsea, Southampton and England footballer |
Miss Jennie Bond | 2005 | Journalist, TV presenter and BBC Royal Correspondent |
Mr Jim Bowen | 2006 | Stand-up comedian and TV personality, best known for Bullseye |
Ms Eve Pollard OBE Lady Lloyd | 2007 | The First Lady of Fleet Street, newspaper editor and author |
Mr David Hamilton | 2007 | Radio Broadcaster |
Sir Tim Smit KBE | 2008 | Environmentalist creator of the Eden Project |
Mr Robbie Glen | 2008 | Prison Governor and raconteur |
Lord Jeffrey Archer | 2009 | Novelist, former MP and Conservative Party Vice Chairman |
Sir Anthony ‘Tony’ Robinson | 2009 | Actor, comedian, television presenter, political activist |
Dr Kevin Jones | 2010 | Consultant physician at Papworth, senior regristrar at Barts, raconteur |
Mr Eddie Bell | 2010 | Publisher of Margaret Thatcher and Mikael Gorbachev’s memoirs |
Ms Angela Rippon CBE | 2011 | Television journalist, newsreader, writer and presenter |
Mr Alec Stewart OBE | 2012 | Surrey and England cricket captain |
Mr Al Murray | 2012 | Satirical comedian and author, creator of the ‘Pub Landlord’ |
Sgt Major Bill Callaghan | 2013 | Yeoman Warder at HM Tower of London |
Mr Kris Akabusi MBE | 2013 | Commonwealth, European and Wrold Champion Athlete |
Mr Rick Wakeman | 2014 | Musician with the band Yes and many others, writer and media personality |
Mr Nicholas Parsons CBE | 2014 | Actor, radio and TV presenter |
Ms Sandi Toksvig OBE | 2015 | Comedian, author, media personality, co-founder of Women’s Equality Party |
Rev Richard Coles | 2015 | Musician, journalist, media personality and priest |
Michael Binyon OBE | 2016 | Journalist and eminent foreign correspondent |
Ms. Meera Syal CBE | 2016 | Comedian, writer, playwright, producer and actress |
Mrs Fiona Bruce | 2017 | Newsreader and TV presenter of Antiques Roadshow |
David Baddiel | 2017 | Comedian and Childrens Author |
Theo Paphitis | 2018 | Entrepreneur and retail magnate, owner of Ryman |
Andy Parsons | 2018 | Comedy writer and comedian best known for ‘Mock the Week’ |
Matt Le Tissier | 2019 | Former professional footballer and sports broadcaster |
Tom Parker Bowles | 2019 | Food critic, writer and broadcaster |
Jon Culshaw | 2020 | English impressionist and comedian |
Lee Smith | 2021 | Master Magician and Member of the Magic Circle |
Gyles Daubeney Brandreth | 2021 | British actor, broadcaster, writer and former politician |
Shaun P Williamson | 2022 | Actor, Singer, Author, Broadcaster and Quiz Master |
Nigel Owens MBE | 2022 | International Rugby Referee and inclusiveness ambassador |
Dominic Holland | 2022 | English comedian, author, actor and broadcaster |
Beth Tweddle MBE | 2023 | British artistic gymnast |
If you would like to view edited highlights of many of our Honoured Guests, then please click HERE