ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE
AUGUST 2, 1947 A HUNDRED and fifty thousand Midland women warned only equal pay would rescue a failed recruitment drive. They stated: ‘Bearing in mind the grave economic situation and shortage of man-power . . . equal pay must be put into operation. If the Government carries through such a demand, the women of Britain will rapidly respond.’ AUGUST 2, 1965 FILM star Cary Grant, 61, and his 28year- old fourth wife vanished yesterday — after their secret 11- day- old marriage was made known. Mr Grant and actress Dyan Cannon had been in Bristol to tell his mother, Elsie Leach, 88, about their Las Vegas wedding — that was so hush-hush they were given separate suites on arrival at their hotel in England.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ROSE TREMAIN, 75. Described by a Daily Mail critic as ‘the best historical novelist of her generation’, the Booker-nominated English author has written Restoration (turned into an Oscar-winning film) among others. She says her greatest relaxation is being in a tearoom: ‘A cheese scone and a cup of coffee and I’m completely at peace.’ CHARLI XCX, 26. The English pop star, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, has sound-to-colour synaesthesia. She says: ‘I see music in colours. I love music that’s black, pink, purple or red — but I hate music that’s green, yellow or brown.’ She gave her song I Love It to Swedish electro duo Icona Pop, as it was the ‘wrong colour’. It reached the top ten in 18 countries.
BORN ON THIS DAY
ALAN WHICKER (1925-2013). The broadcaster and journalist, famous for his thick glasses, smart blazer and alliterative delivery, flew 100,000 miles a year looking for exotic stories for his Whicker’s World TV series. He had an ability to pose impertinent questions without causing offence, once asking Haitian dictator Papa Doc Duvalier: ‘But... they say you torture people?’ He was proud of being lampooned in the Monty Python Whicker Island sketch. PETER O’TOOLE (19322013). The hellraiser, famous for Lawrence Of Arabia (pictured), was nominated for a best actor Oscar eight times, but never won. Famed for his roistering, he said: ‘I did quite enjoy the days when one went for a beer at one’s local in Paris and woke up in Corsica.’
ON AUGUST 2 . . .
IN 1875, the first roller- skating rink in London opened. IN 1963, the Beatles performed their final Cavern Club gig in Liverpool.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Lagniappe (1883) A) Greedy sponger. B) Snack. C) A bonus for regular customers. Answer below PHRASE EXPLAINED
At sixes and sevens: Meaning a state of disarray; it comes from a 14th-century dispute between London livery companies the Merchant Taylors and the Skinners. Both wanted sixth place in the Order of Precedence, so the Lord Mayor decided they swap sixth and seventh places annually.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
MEN of power have not time to read; yet men who do not read are unfit for power. Michael Foot, Labour leader (1913-2010)
JOKE OF THE DAY
Why did I name my horse Mayo? Because Mayo neighs. Guess The Definition answer: C.