The author and illustrator Raymond Briggs is enjoying a late career as a resident ranter in The Oldie. In next month’s edition he is nostalgic about the passing of favourite trade names such as Rinso, Vim and the Brownie Box Camera. His most successful creation is a curmudgeonly Father Christmas, who grumbles about “bloomin’ snow” and “bloomin’ reindeers” as he delivers his presents, and has delighted millions of children around the world. Raymond Briggs is 76 today. RGT
Birthdays today
Peter Beardsley, footballer, 49; Dr David Bellamy, botanist, writer and broadcaster, 77; John Boorman, film director, 77; Kevin Costner, actor, 55; Richard Dunwoody, National Hunt jockey, 1982-99, 46; Sir Rocco Forte, hotelier, 65; Dame Jennifer Jenkins, chairman, National Trust, 1986-90, 89; Mark Rylance, artistic director, Globe Theatre, 1995-2006, 50.