Sir Vernon Ellis, Chairman of the British Council, took over from Lord Kinnock a year ago, and says he is finding the world role very stimulating. The big event on his birthday. involves his passion for opera. He is taking his two children to see the latest production Two Boys at the English National Opera where he has been chairman for five years. “It is a dark, modern tale involving the internet and cyberspace written by a very young man, I am sure they will enjoy it.” RGT
Birthdays today
Dan Aykroyd, actor, 59; Pamela Anderson, actress, 44; Leslie Caron, actress, 80; Olivia de Havilland, actress, 95; Missy Elliott, rapper and songwriter, 40; Malcolm Elliott, cyclist, 50; Trevor Eve, actor, 60; Lord Filkin, Under Secretary of State, Department of Constitutional Affairs, 2003-04, 67; Debbie Harry, singer, 66; Hans Werner Henze, composer, 85; Professor Sir David Lane, scientist, 59; Carl Lewis, athlete, 50; Dr Richard Luckett, Pepys Librarian, Magdalene College, Cambridge, 66; Victoria Miro, gallery owner, 66; Professor Stephen Neidle, clinical biologist, 65; Michael Nunn, dancer, 44; Garry Schofield, rugby league player, 46;Twyla Tharp, dancer and choreographer, 70; Peter Walwyn, racehorse trainer, 1960-99, 78.