Today’s birthdays

Sir John Macdermott, a former Lord Justice of Appeal of Northern Ireland, is 91; Lord Lloyd of Berwick, a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 89; Prof Sir Alistair Macfarlane, Principal and Vice-chancellor, Heriot-watt University, 1989-96, 87; Sir David Plastow, Chairman, Medical Research Council, 1990-98, 86; Mr Alan Bennett, dramatist and actor, 84; Dr Roy Massey, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Hereford Cathedral, 1974-2001, 84; Mr Albert Finney, actor and director, 82; Miss Glenda Jackson, former actress and Labour MP, 82; Prof Alan Ryan, Warden of New College, Oxford, 1996-2009, 78; Lord Wheatley, a former Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, 77; Sir Brian Mcmaster, Director, Edinburgh International Festival, 1991-2006, 75; Dr Sir Vince Cable, Leader of the Liberal Democrats; former Coalition Government Minister, 75; Lord Wilson of Culworth, a Justice of The Supreme Court, 73; Miss Nina Campbell, interior designer, 73; Mr David Lindsell, Deputy Chairman, Financial Reporting Review Panel, 2008-12, 71; Mr Billy Joel, singer, pianist and songwriter, 69; Mr Justice Nicol 67; Mr Nick Crane, geographer, writer and broadcaster; President, Royal Geographical Society, 64; Ms Ruth Kelly, former Labour Cabinet Minister, 50; Ms Kate Richardson-walsh, field hockey player; former Captain, GB women’s hockey team and Olympic gold medallist, women’s tournament, Rio 2016; bronze medallist, London 2012, 38; and Mr Alan Campbell, sculler; Olympic bronze medallist, men’s single sculls, London 2012, 35.

Today is the anniversary of the attempt by Col Thomas Blood to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671.