Gus Christie, the executive chairman of Glyndebourne for eight years, won his battle this year with neighbours to install a 230ft (70m) wind turbine at the Sussex opera house. He has been on the board at Glyndebourne since he was 25 and took over from his father, Sir George, in 2000. He spent a decade making wildlife documentaries and is a keen environmentalist. Advance booking for the 75th anniversary season has opened, and he is holding his breath to see if ticket sales are going to be affected by the credit crunch. Gus Christie is 45 today. RGT

Other birthdays

Barbara Amiel (Lady Black of Crossharbour), columnist, 68; the Marchioness of Anglesey, vice-chairman, Museums and Galleries Commission, 1989-96, 84; Joan Brady, novelist, 69; Jeff Bridges, actor, 59; Ronnie Corbett, comedian and actor, 78; Professor Jeffrey Tobias, oncologist and author, 62.