Today’s birthdays

Mr Peter Thomson, former golfer; five-times Open Champion, is 88; Field Marshal Lord Vincent of Coleshill, Chief of Defence Staff, 1991-92, 86; Sir Brian Pearse,

Chairman, Lucas Varity plc, 1994-98, 84; Sir Roy Strong, writer and historian, 82; Dame

Sarah Goad, Lord-lieutenant for Surrey, 1997-2015, 77; Baroness O’neill of Bengarve, Chairman, Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2012-16, 76; Mr Ted Maidment, Headmaster of Shrewsbury School, 1988-2001, 75; Mr Peter Lilley, former Conservative Government Cabinet Minister, 74; Dame Glynne Evans, former diplomat, 73; Mr Geoff Thompson, Chairman, Football Association, 1999-2008, 72; Sir Mark Hedley, a former High Court

Judge, 71; Mr Willy Russell, author, 70; Mr Geoff Capes, former athlete; former British and Commonwealth shot put champion, 68; Dr Sir Andrew Pocock, former diplomat, 62; Mr Patrick Derham, Head Master, Westminster School, 58; Dr David Landsman, former diplomat, 54; Mr Richard Illingworth, ICC

umpire, 54; Mr Jim Murphy, former Labour Government Cabinet Minister, 50; and Ms

Saskia Clark, sailor; Olympic gold medallist, 470 sailing class, Rio 2016; silver medallist, London 2012, 38. Today is the anniversary of the Battle of the Mons in 1914.