Birthdays

Today: Sir Edward Parkes, Vice-chancellor, University of Leeds, 1983-91, is 92; Dr Edward de Bono, lateral thinker, 85; Mr James Fox, actor, 79; Lord Judge, Chief Surveillance Commissioner, 2015-17; Lord Chief Justice, 200813, 77; Mr Pete Townshend, rock guitarist, singer and composer, 73; Sir Bill Callaghan, Chairman, Health and Safety Commission, 1999-2007, 70; Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, 69; Lord Hodge, a Justice of The Supreme Court, 65; Dr Sir Oliver Letwin, MP, former Conservative Cabinet Minister, 62; Mr Sam Smith, singer and songwriter, 26; and Miss Heather Watson, tennis player; Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champion 2016, 26. Tomorrow: Flt Lt J.A. Cruickshank, VC, will be 98; Gen Sir Hugh Beach, Chief Royal Engineer, 1982-87, 95; Sir David Berriman, Chairman, Association of Lloyd’s Members, 1994-98, 90; Prof Alan Smithers, author and broadcaster, 80; Capt Sir David Younger, Lord-lieutenant for Tweeddale, 1994-2014, 79; Mr Lynn Davies, President, UK Athletics, 2002-15; Olympic long jump gold medallist, Tokyo 1964, 76; Mr Simon Keswick, company chairman, 76; Lord Vallance of Tummel, Chairman, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 200616; Chairman, BT, 1987-2001, 75; Mr Jeremy Nichols, Headmaster, Stowe School, 1989-2003, 75; Mr Keith Fletcher, former Manager and Captain, England cricket team, 74; Dame Kathrin Thomas, Lord-lieutenant for Mid Glamorgan, 74; Lord Hollick, Chief Executive, United Business Media, 1996-2005, 73; Cher, actress and singer, 72; Mr Greg Dyke, Chairman of the Football Association, 2013-16; Directorgeneral, BBC, 2000-04, 71; Sir Nicholas Warren, a former High Court Judge, 69; Mr Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal King of Arms, 67; Lord Wills, former Labour Government Minister, 66; Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland, 64; Mr Richard Pleming, Headmaster, Charterhouse, 2014-16, 56; Earl Spencer 54; Mr Matthew Langridge, oarsman; Olympic gold medallist, men’s coxed eight, Rio 2016; bronze medallist, men’s eight, London 2012, 35; and Mr Chris Froome, professional road racing cyclist; winner of the Tour de France 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017; Olympic bronze medallist individual time trial, London 2012, 33.

Today is the anniversary of the execution of Anne Boleyn in 1536.

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of The Chelsea Flower Show opening at the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds in 1913, having previously been at Kensington and Temple Gardens. It is also the anniversary of the first solo transatlantic flight by Col Lindbergh in 1927.