Today’s birthdays

Flt Lt J.A. Cruickshank, VC, is 102; Prof Alan Smithers, author and broadcaster, 84; Capt Sir David Younger, Lord-lieutenant for Tweeddale, 1994-2014, 83; Mr Lynn Davies, President, UK Athletics, 2002-15; Olympic long jump gold medallist, Tokyo 1964, 80; Mr Simon Keswick, company chairman, 80; Lord Vallance of Tummel, Chairman, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 2006-16; Chairman, BT, 1987-2001, 79; Mr Keith Fletcher, former Manager and Captain, England cricket team, 78; Dame Kathrin Thomas, Lordlieutenant for Mid Glamorgan, 2003-19, 78; Lord Hollick, Chief Executive, United Business Media, 1996-2005, 77; Cher, actress and singer, 76; Mr Greg Dyke, Chairman of the Football Association, 2013-16; Directorgeneral, BBC, 2000-04, 75; Sir Nicholas Warren, a former High Court Judge, 73; Sir Thomas Woodcock, Garter Principal King of Arms, 2010-21, 71; Lord Wills, a former Labour Government Minister, 70; Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland, 68; the Rt Rev Viv Faull, Bishop of Bristol, 67; Earl Spencer 58; Mrs Justice Lieven 58; Mr Matthew Langridge, oarsman; Olympic gold medallist, men’s coxed eight, Rio 2016; bronze medallist, men’s eight, London 2012, 39; 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, 37.

Today is 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 trans-atlantic flight by Col Lindbergh in 1927.