Birthdays

Professor Sir Donald Acheson, former Chief Medical Officer, Departments of Health and Social Security, 66; Miss Anne Bancroft, actress, 61; The Right Rev Timothy Bavin, Bishop of Portsmouth, 57; Mr David Bintley, choreographer, 35; Mr Billy Bonds, footballer, 46; Professor Alec Broers, Master of Churchill College, Cambridge, 54; Marshal of the RAF Lord Craig of Radley, 63; General Sir Kenneth Darling, former Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces, Northern Europe, 83; Miss Jennifer Dickson, artist and photographer, 56; Sir Desmond Fennell, High Court judge, 59; Mr Gwyn Francis, former director- general, the Forestry Commission, 62; Sir Richard Gaskell, solicitor, 56; Professor Sir John Hale, language scholar, 69; Sir Desmond Heap, solicitor and authority on Planning Law, 85; Mr Chaim Herzog, Israeli president, 74; Mr Michael Jack MP, Minister of State, Home Office, 46; Mr Junius Jayewardene, former president of Sri Lanka, 86; Miss Tessa Jowell MP, 45; Mr Desmond Lynam, journalist and broadcaster, 50; Mr Roddy McDowell, actor, 64; Mr Reginald Marsh, actor, 66; Mr Brian Matthew, radio presenter, 64; Mr Stirling Moss, racing driver, 63; Miss Dinah Sheridan, actress, 72; Miss Mary Stewart (Lady Stewart), historical novelist, 76; Sir John Stewart-Clark MEP, 63; Miss Karen Straker, show-jumper, 28; Mr Vernon Thompson, thoracic surgeon, 87; Miss Helen Vinson, actress, 85; Dr Elizabeth Wilkinson, former professor of German, University College London, 83.