Today’s birthdays

Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and naturalist, is 92; Miss Heather Harper, soprano, 88; Lord Hoffmann, a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 84; Viscount Falkland 83; Mr David W. Kendall, former company chairman, 83; Mr Jack Charlton, former England footballer and Manager, Republic of Ireland team, 1986-95, 83; Lord Blyth of Rowington, company chairman, 78; Lord Lamont of Lerwick, former Conservative Cabinet Minister, 76; Mrs Pat Barker, novelist, 75; Dame Felicity Lott, soprano, 71; Lord Reid of Cardowan, former Labour Cabinet Minister, 71; Mr Justice Cohen 67; Mr Paul Roy, Chairman, British Horseracing Authority, 2007-13, 71; the Duke of Rutland 59; Mr Robin Budenberg, First Crown Estate Commissioner and Chairman, The Crown Estate, 59; Mr Simon Lewis, Group Director, Corporate Affairs, Vodafone plc, 2004-09; Communications Secretary to the Queen, 1998-2000, 59; Miss Viviana Durante, ballerina, 51; and Mr Jonathan Searle, former rower; Olympic gold medallist coxed pairs, Barcelona 1992, 49.

Today is the anniversary of VE Day in Britain, 1945.