George Carey, who was Archbishop of Canterbury for 11 years until 2002, has been even more in the public eye since his retirement. He has spoken out this year on Islam, the BNP and the Pope. He flew back from the US this week where he was addressing a medical and ministry conference in North Carolina. He says: “On my birthday I shall be presenting degrees in Gloucester Cathedral as Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire.” He and his wife Eileen celebrate their golden wedding next year. “Must start to slow down but don’t know how to do it,” he says. Lord Carey of Clifton is 74 today. RGT

Birthdays today

The Rev David Coffey, President, Baptist World Alliance, 68; Sir John Coles, Head of the Diplomatic Service, 1994-97, 72; Whoopi Goldberg, actress, 54; Lord Jacobs, chairman, British School of Motoring, 1973-90, 78; Tom Margerison, Editor, The New Scientist, 1956-61, 86; Dr Basil Morson, clinical pathologist, 88; Admiral Sir William O’Brien, Vice-Admiral of the UK and Lieutenant of the Admiralty, 1984-86, 93; Alexandra Shulman, Editor, British Vogue, 52.