Gooseberry Crumble

@msc @DCI Frank Burnside But what about all the gorgeous actors and sexy olympiad I have wished happy birthday to on that thread?! That is what is troubling me- If I am a jinx and they all die who am I going to pleasure myself too?!!

Goodness I only wished him Happy Birthday in the Happy Birthday thread a few months ago. I hope I am not a jinx.

On this day in 1988 Muhammed Zia ul-Haq, a Pakistani General and President of Pakistan from 1978 until his death ten years later, died aged 64 in a plane crash along with 31 others. Both the US and Pakistan launched their own investigations into the crash and reached rather different conclusions- with the Pakistani authorities highlighting the possibility of foul play including deliberate incapaciation of the pilot. There has always been suspicion in some quarters in Pakistan that this was an engineered accident or revenge by any number of other countries including the USA, India or the Soviet Union the last as revenge against Pakistans government for supporting the Mujahideen against the Russians in their war with Afghanistan.

American actor, singer and songwriter Joe Jonas, who originally found fame as part of his family pop group The Jonas Brothers, celebrates his 33rd birthday today. Former Prime Minister of France Alain Juppe ,who held the position between 1995-1997, celebrates his 77th birthday today.

Only daughter of Queen Elizabeth ll, HRH Princess Royal, widely known as Princess Anne, celebrates her 72nd birthday today One of the busiest working royals of recent years in the British Royal family.

Nobody picked Salman Rushdie in this years Derby Dead Pool. Something tells me If he makes it through this year I don't think he will ever be at risk again of not being picked by anyone or on the list of the missed.

Another First Lady of the United States died on the 14th August- this time in 1852. Margaret Taylor, wife of the 12th President of the United States Zachary Taylor, died on this day in 1852 aged 63. The daughter of a wealthy family from Maryland whose father was a veteran officer of the American revolution. She met Lieutenant Zachary Taylor whilst she was visiting her sister in Kentucky. It is said that she became rather reclusive when her husband was participating in the Mexican American war, because as a devout Episcopalian she had pledged to God she would give up most of the pleasures of society in return for her husbands safe return home from war. Zachary became something of a national war hero and that was a large part of his popularity and political platform fir running for the Presidency. His critics say his political policies were vague and general with the notion of preserving the union being one of his central aims. Anyway he won the election despite his wifes prayers for him to lose became she feared the personal consequences and burdens of the Presidency for both of them. At this stage in Margarets life, after multiple childbirths and the physical toll of years of following her military husband around from one fort to the next , her health was precarious and limiting. She was a semi invalid and left the usual first lady hostess duties in the White House to her daughter Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Bliss. During her husbands President she lived largely in seclusion on the second floor in the White House . Her husband died suddenly from severe stomach issues just 16 months into his term of office. The former first ladies health spiralled and declined rapidly after her husbands death andshe died just two years later aged 63.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11078269/Chloe-Madeley-welcomes-child-husband-James-Haskell.html Chloe Madeley and rugby player James Haskell have become first time parents .

Retired australian professional swimmer Kieren Perkins, an Olympic gold and silver medallist - 1 Gold at the 1992 Olympics, 1 Gold at the 1996 Olympics and and a silver medallist at both the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, celebrates his 49th birthday today.

On this day in 2020 Liverpool born professional tennis player Angela Buxton died aged 85 in her winter home in Florida. Early in her career her Jewish background was not accepting by some in tennis circles with her experiencing antisemitism by being barred from using certain tennis training facilities. This eventually resulted in Jewish businessman Simon Marks of the Marks and Spencer retail empire allowing her the use of his private tennis court. By 1954 she had earned the tennis ranking of British number 4. Just a year later she reached the Wimbledon womens singles quarter finals making her world number 9 in the rankings. In 1956 she won the women's doubles title at both Wimbledon and the french championships with her playing partner Althea Gibson.

One of the worlds most commercially successful female novelists Danielle Steel, celebrates her 75th birthday today. She has to date written at least 190 books including 140 novels. A number of which have been adapted for television.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/jessica-von-bredow-werndl-baby-798816 Olympic gold medallist Jessica Von Bredow Werndl has given birth to her second child. The german won two gold medal in individual and team dressage last year at the Tokyo Olympics. https://www.instagram.com/p/ChIOeaEMWOk/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= As an aside I notice this thread has passed over 50,000 views! So popular!

On this day in 1995 british mountain climber Alison Hargreaves died aged 33 whilst descending the summit of the worlds second highest mountain-K2 in Pakistan. She was very accomplished in the field having successfully scaled Mount Everest alone without supplementary oxygen or the support of a Sherpa team, solo climbed all the greath north faces of the Alps in a single season-a world first. A number of climbers died in the same tragic expedition as Alison including notable american mountain climber Rob Slater aged 34. Alison left behind two young children and tragically her son Tom died in 2019 also while mountain climbing abroad and like his mum trying to accomplish rare feats.

Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey celebrates turning 64 today. English professional snooker player Joe Perry celebrates his 48th birthday today.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11096705/Jessamy-Stoddart-pregnant-Hollyoaks-star-expecting-child-husband-Ryan.html Hollyoaks actress Jessamy Stoddart is pregnant with her first child.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11107583/Tuppence-Middleton-given-birth-child-Swedish-film-director-Mans-Marlind.html British actress Tuppence Middleton has given birth to her first child. The child's father is swedish film director Mans Marlind.

On this day in 2006 , Olympic boxer Payao Poontarat, the first thai person to win an Olympic medal in any sport, died aged 49 from motor neuron disease. He won bronze medals in boxing at the 1976 Olympics. He was also latterly a politician in Thailands House of representatives.

English professional darts player Phil Taylor turns 62 today.

Lady Colin Campbell claims in her latest video she has been told by knowledgeable sources that Prince Harrys antics are having a detrimental and harmful effect on the Queens health.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/celebrities/19497032/donnie-brasco-actress-anne-heche-dead/ Well The Sun is saying the life support has been switched off rather than she is legally dead. One of her close friends on Instagram is saying heaven has now gained an angel.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/aug/12/anne-heche-death-actor-dies-week-after-car-crash-aged-53 The Guardian is also saying she has died. As does The Independent And The Huffington Post

Seems pretty definite as being reported by the Mail. Tragic situation. Clearly a very troubled soul.

On this day in 1904 british tennis player and former World number one player William Renshaw died from an epileptic convulsion aged 43. He won 12 major titles during his tennis career, 7 Wimbledon titles in mens singles- a record that was shared with Pete Sampras until 2017 when it was surpassed by Roger Federer who won an 8th.

With regards to your last paragraph Will I hope you are OK? Sending my best wishes to you. You are a valued forum member. Take care Gooseberry

On this day 8 years ago in 2014, Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall died aged 89 in New York.