In this week: 14th to 20th June

Birthdays rule the roost this week with 2 members of Slade, 2 former London Mayors and 3 music legends all celebrating their special days.

14^th June

25 years ago: in 1995, Pauline Clare was appointed Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, becoming the first female Chief Constable in Britain.

 

25 years ago: on the same day in 1995, Rory Gallagher, Irish blues/rock guitarist, singer and songwriter died from complications following a liver transplant, aged 47.

Birthdays

Donald Trump – US President, 74

Jim Lea – English songwriter, bass and violin player; and member of Slade, 71

15^th June

100 years ago: in 1920, the first advertised public radio broadcast in the UK took place. Dame Nellie Melba gave a song recital that was broadcast from the Marconi works in Chelmsford, Essex. The broadcast was heard in many countries.

10 years ago: in 2010, The Saville Report, an inquiry into Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland in 1972, was published. It determined that British paratroopers had fired the first shot, without warning; had fired at unarmed civilians as they fled the scene; and had shot and killed a man who was already wounded. Prime Minister David Cameron apologised on behalf of the British Government.

Birthdays

Noddy Holder – English songwriter, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Slade, 74

Courteney Cox – US actress, famous for playing Monica in Friends, 56.

16^th June

60 years ago: in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense film Psycho was released.

40 years ago: in 1980, Willy Russell’s play Educating Rita was performed for the first time, at the Warehouse Theatre in London. It was adapted into a film in 1983.

Birthdays

Jürgen Klopp – German football coach, manager of Liverpool FC, 53

Phil Mickelson – US golfer, 50

17^th June

90 years ago: in 1930, U.S. President Herbert Hoover signed the United States Tariff Act (also called the Smoot–Hawley Tariff) into law. It raised import duties to protect American businesses and farmers, but badly affected the global economy.

50 years ago: in 1970, The “Babes in the wood” murders. The bodies of two missing British children were found in a shallow grave in a wood at Waltham Abbey, Essex after a massive search.

Birthdays

Barry Manilow – US singer-songwriter, 77.

Ken Livingstone – English politician, 1^st Mayor of London, 75

18^th June

100 years ago: in 1920, Ian Carmichael, British stage, film, television and radio actor was born in Hull, Yorkshire. Best known for playing the gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey on TV and radio, Bertie Wooster in the TV series The World of Wooster, and for his roles in the films Private’s Progress, I’m All Right Jack, School for Scoundrels and Lucky Jim. 

In later years he returned to the TV screens in ITV’s The Royal. He died in 2010 at the age of 89 from natural causes.

80 years ago: in 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave his “Finest Hour” speech.

Birthdays

Paul McCartney – English singer-songwriter, 78

Moeen Ali – English cricketer, 33

19^th June

200 years ago: in 1820, British naturalist Joseph Banks died. He took part in Captain James Cook’s first great voyage (1768–1771), was President of the Royal Society for 41 years, developed the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew into one of the world’s leading botanical gardens, and advocated British colonisation of Australia

 

50 years ago: in 1970, Edward Heath became British Prime Minister in a surprise election victory for the Conservatives against Labour’s Harold Wilson.

Birthdays

Thelma Barlow - UK actress, best known as Mavis Wilton in Coronation Street. 91.

Boris Johnson – UK Prime Minister, 56

20^th June

200 years ago: in 1820, Manuel Belgrano, Argentine military leader, economist, and politician died. He played a key role in the Argentine Wars of Independence and created the flag of Argentina.

30 years ago: in 1990, British Chancellor of the Exchequer John Major, proposed a new European currency, the Hard Ecu, which would circulate alongside existing national currencies rather than replace them.

Birthdays

Wendy Craig – UK actress, 86

Brian Wilson – Beach Boy 78.