Today’s birthdays

Sir Robert Evans, Chairman, British Gas, 1989-93, is 91; Sir Patrick Mcnair-wilson, former MP, 89; Mr Edward Seaga, Prime Minister of Jamaica, 1980-89, 88; Lord Renton of Mount Harry, former Conservative Government Minister, 86; Sir Philip Otton, a former Lord Justice of Appeal, 85; Sir David Brewer, Lordlieutenant for Greater London, 2008-15, 78; Sir George Cox, Chairman, Design Council, 2004-07, 78; Mr Rudolph Giuliani, Mayor, City of New York, 1994-2001, 74; the Hon William Shawcross, writer and broadcaster; Chairman, Charity Commission, 72; Dame Janet Paraskeva, First Civil Service Commissioner, 2006-10, 72; Prof Sir Neil Douglas, President, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 2004-10, 69; Mr Simon Walker, Director General, Institute of Directors, 2011-16; Communications Secretary to the Queen, 2000-2002, 65; Dr Charles Saumarez Smith, Secretary and Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Arts, 64; Miss Kamlesh Bahl, Chairman, Equal Opportunities Commission, 1993-98, 62; Vice-adml Peter Wilkinson, National President, The Royal British Legion, 2012-16, 62; Mr Martin Reader, Headmaster, Cranleigh School, 51; Mrs Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union, 51; Miss Kylie Minogue, singer and actress, 50; Ms Lucy Shuker, tennis player; Paralympic bronze medallist wheelchair tennis doubles, London 2012, 38; and Mr Jonnie Peacock, sprint runner; Paralympic gold medallist, Rio 2016 and London 2012, 25.

Today is the anniversary of the enclosure of the Zuider Zee in 1932.