Today’s birthdays

Ms Penelope Hobhouse, garden designer and author, is 88; the Earl of Home, Chairman, Coutts and Co, 1999-2013, 74; Sir Kenneth Parker, a former High Court Judge, 72; Adml Sir James Burnell-nugent, C-in-c Fleet and Commander Nato Maritime Component Command (Northwood), 2005-07, 68; Dr Martin Scicluna, Chairman, Great Portland Estates; Chairman, RSA Insurance, 67; the Hon Lord Justice Henderson 66; and Dr Sir Malcolm Mckibbin, former Permanent Secretary and Head, Northern Ireland Civil Service, 61.