Gooseberry Crumble

American actor Dave Franco celebrates his 37th birthday today. The youngest of the Franco acting brothers, Dave is considered an up and coming star in Hollywood and has starred in films such as 21 Jump Street (2012) Now you see me (2013) Neighbors (2014) and Oscar nominated The Disaster Artist (2017). He is currently starring in Apple TV s murder mystery comedy series The Afterparty. Australian international rugby player Ron Lynch celebrates his 83rd birthday today.

Gosh it is quite striking! What is your theory? Separately to this I do think the realisation after the platinum jubilee thanksgiving service that they are second row royals really seems to be something they are resentful of and could cause strain in their relationship if one of them regrets the decision to quit the UK in 2020.

On this day in 1992 , exactly thirty years ago, australian actress Gerda Nicolson, died aged 54 after collapsing from a brain haemorrhage in her theatre dressing room a few weeks earlier and never regaining consciousness. Gerda was primarily a theatre actress but she was best known for her role as steely but reforming prison governor Ann Reynolds in cult australian television soap Prisoner Cell Block H. She played the role from 1983 until the end of 1986 when the show was axed. Gerda was also well known in Australia for previously starring in long running hit TV drama Bellbird.

On this day in 1927 English cricketer William Attewell died aged 65 in Derbyshire. He played both for Nottinghamshire County cricket club and for the England team. His first opportunity to play professionally came about when senior players at Nottinghamshire went on strike. From there on steadily he developed his aptitude and skill further sport . Williams best aspect of play at his peak was as a medium pace bowler well known for his extraordinary accuracy and economy. He was much easier outwitted as a batsmen and was the first cricketer to be dismissed from a game for a 'king pair ' - a rare fate in cricket only experienced by 22 players in test cricket including Adam Gilchrist, James Anderson and Gary Troup. However in terms of bowling he was effectively the reason the term 'off theory' was created- deliberately and carefully bowling wide off the cricket stump to a packed offside field to the frustration of many a batsmen. In his later years he served as a cricket umpire and was regarded as first class at it.

Christina Crawford, only surviving child of Hollywood legend Joan Crawford and author of notorious autobiography Mommie Dearest detailing claims of parental abuse and neglect, celebrates her 83rd birthday today. Scottish formula one racing car driver Jackie Stewart- nicknamed "the flying scot ' celebrates his 83rd birthday today.

On this day in 1998 best selling British novelist Catherine Cookson died aged 91. Catherine was a hugely successful author who sold around 123 million books and is in the top 20 of the most widely read british novelists. Her romantic historical novels were indeed are a firm favourite at british libraries were even after her death she featured very highly in the annual most borrowed authors chart. Many of her books have been adapted for television. Her novels are set in the north east of England were Catherine was born and where she returned to in her senior years to live out her final chapters and reportedly she was still writing or rather creating novels dictating story into a tape recorder in her bed just days before she died. The Silent lady, The Bondage of love, The Solace of sin, The Unsuitable match, Feathers in the fire are the names of just some of her nearly 100 books. Despite her huge success, popularity and acclaim ,Catherine kept an unusually low profile for famous writers . She gave very few interviews and was content to let her books do most of the talking and speak for themselves.

On this day in 1906 Richard Seddon , the 15th and to this date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand died aged 60. Born in England in Eccleston Lancashire near to St Helens Seddon arrived in New Zealand in 1866 during the gold rush on the west coast. He very quickly became active in local politics and made a name for himself due to his strong and imposing personality and entered national politics via the house of representatives . By 1879 he was a key member of the opposition Liberal party but was often at political odds with John Ballance his partys leader who was far more progressive in his politics than socially conservative Seddon. Nevertheless when a Liberal party government was elected in 1891his confrontational and ambitious personality helped ensure a quick rise in his political career in part because he was viewed as someone who could get things done and talked of as exhibiting natural leadership qualities. Minster for public works being among his early promotions. When party leader and prime minister John Ballance died suddenly aged 54 in 1893, Seddon was in prime position to succeed him. Infact at the time he seemed like the obvious candidate and the strongest. So much so he managed to persuade colleagues to avoid a leadership contest as it would cause serious three or four way splits in the Liberal party and ultimately make the party weaker. They bought this line and Seddon became New Zealands 15th Prime minister. As PM he inherited a womens suffrage Bill that he had previously opposed and despite some underhand trickery on his part to get the bill blocked from passing into law it did ultimately pass. Seddon was a politician whose personal popularity trumped that of his party, combined with his charisma and strength/force of personality meant he could mostly overcome cabinet dissent to get his way. However a political ally of the late former leader John Ballance ,Robert Stout, who was his preferred successor and from the progressive wing of the party launched a leadership challenge against him which was ultimately unsuccessful. Seddon win in the leadership contest further strengthened him and seemed to cause him to push his own policies and ideas more zealously. Domestically he oversaw some big changes such as the introduction of the old age pension but also more contentiously regional alcohol licensing giving different regions the power to be more strict or Liberal with their licensing laws with it being a key issue that could be put to local politicians and alcohol laws renewed or tightened/relaxed after each election. In terms of foreign policy he believed New Zealand should be more imperialist and try to be the Britain of the South Pacific Islands even unsuccessfully trying to have Fiji incorporated into New Zealand. He was however successful in his aim to have the Cook Islands annexed as British overseas territory part of the colony be reclassified as part of New Zealands colonial boundary. Essentially as Prime minister Richard Seddon was a nationalist Conservative and was successful in making this the dominant political creed of New Zealand at the time and for some time to come. The key criticisms of his premiership include that he was highly regionalism, biased in favour of the west coast and not showing much interest or understanding in the wider issues in New Zealand beyond his home patch. He loathed having to work in Wellington and did so with great reluctance. Also his treatment of the Maori people and the seizure of their land is a major historical blot on his record. His increasingly autocratic style and loud manner earned him the nickname King Dick! He sought to diminish New Zealands strong grouping and presence of independent mps not aligned to any party in the 1899 general election with much success. However paradoxically this helped set the scene for his party to struggle to find a leader to replace him after he died in office in 1906. The Liberal party went through a series of unsuccessful leaders which eventually helped to path the way for political realignment in New Zealand and the now strong two party system that he would not have supported instinctively as desirable. However his zealous pursuit to weaken the number and strength of independent mps many argue paved the way for this long term change taking root.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10904939/TikTok-star-Cooper-Noriega-19-dead-Los-Angeles-mall.html American Tiktok star Cooper Noriega found dead aged just 19 after a social media post talking about dying young .

British actress and model Liz Hurley celebrates turning 57 today.

John Edwards , former Democrat Party candidate for US Vice President in the 2004 Presidential election to John Kerry as candidate for President, celebrates his 69th birthday today. They ultimately lost to a reelected George Bush junior.

On this day in 2002 John Gotti, head of one of the americas most notorious crime familys the Gambinos - a hugely powerful organised crime syndicate, died aged 61 from throat cancer. He became the boss of the organisation in 1985 after ordering the killing of the former boss Paul Castellano in an unauthorised hit.

American actor Andrew Stevens celebrates his 67th birthday today. Probably equally well known for the numerous low budget often made for television erotic thriller films he starred in during the 1980s and 1990s and for his role as hunky rogue and stooge for JR Ewing Casey Denault in 1980s US prime time tv soap Dallas from 1987-1989. His filmography includes made for TV film The Bastard, the television miniseries adaptation of Jackie Collins novel Hollywood Wives in 1985, the four Nighteyes erotic thriller movies from 1990-1996, The Seduction (1982) and erotic thriller Illicit Dreams (1994) with Shannon Tweed. Andrew is the son of famous Hollywood actress Stella Stevens. All I will say is when I was growing up watching Andrew Stevens was a great help to me in understanding whether or not I fancied boys or girls.

Now that I think about it I don't think Shirley attended her good friend Joan Collins 20th wedding anniversary party in London a few months ago? Stephanie Beacham, Simon Cowell and other celebrities were there but Shirley who is normally a stalwart of Joan Collins parties I don't think was. Just thought it was worth highlighting.

On this day in 1923 Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, died aged 77 in Pall Mall London . Princess Helena was born in Buckingham Palace on the 25th May 1846.She spent all of her life living in the UK despite marrying a foreign Prince because Queen Victoria liked to have most of her daughters living nearby and often stipulated that as a condition when marriage proposals for her daughters were in the offing. As a young woman Helena had a brief flirtation with her father Prince Alberts German librarian who was promptly dismissed from his job when the Queen found out and earnt her lifetime enmity and hostility as a result. She went on to marry a Danish born minor German prince - Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. This was a marriage that caused splits and controversy within the royal family and among some of the european royal houses. Essentially Prince Christian was a Prince of a realm that had a bitter and contested territorial history between Prussia and Denmark and some saw marrying into that family as taking sides or making a stance one way or the other. It was certainly particularly awkward that her sister in law and future Queen of the United Kingdom was Princess Alexandra of Denmark- Helenas marriage being something she never really accepted or reconciled herself too. However as more or less a middle daughter , despite Queen Victorias best efforts to find her daughter a suitable husband, it became apparent that Princess Helen was extremely unlikely to marry into a major european royal family and form a powerful alliance - so the union with minor Prince Christian was permitted. Helena was it could be argued the Princess Anne of her era, she was the busiest and most active member of the royal family year after year with numerous public engagements and charity patronages. One of her best achievements being one of the founding members of the British Red Cross, founding President of the Royal school of needlework and nursing- something she took a very passionate and special interest in ,lead her to become a President of the Royal British Nurses association. In this role she became a keen supporter of nurse registration ,something surprisingly that Florence Nightingale advised against. After her father Prince Albert died Helena ,along with some of her royal siblings, moved with their mother Queen Victoria to Osborne house on the Isle of Wight. Her sister Princess Alice was Queen Victorias unofficial secretary but needed support in the role but Helena, who Queen Victoria regarded unreliable because she was too emotional and prone to bursting into tears, was overlooked initially as someone who could provide this support . But after Alice married and her priorities changed , Helena became what many regarded as her mother's crutch and main support in latter years despite her being far from her mothers favourite or first choice. Personality wise they would clash often for example because Queen Victoria disapproved of Helenas support for womens rights. After her mother Queen Victoria died Helena still performed royal duties but far fewer as her brother King Edward Vll was not close to most of his siblings and his wife Princess Alexandra had never taken to Helena after her controversial choice of husband.Indeed for a time Helena devoted some time to actual nursing once her brother ascended the throne. Helena had six children, two died in infancy and her reportedly favourite son died of enteric fever after contracting malaria in South Africa while fighting in the second boer war in his thirties. She spent her final years living in Pall Mall and is a great aunt to the current monarch Queen Elizabeth who was born just under three years after Princess Helena died.

On this day in 1981 american actor , singer and game show host Allen Ludden died aged 63. He was most famous for hosting the television gameshow Password on ABC and CBS. He was also the husband of legendary actress and 'Golden Girl' Betty White.

Canadian american actor Michael J Fox, most famous for playing Marty McFly in the hugely popular and iconic film series Back to the future, celebrates his 61st birthday today.

British actor Colin Baker, best known for being the sixth incarnation of Dr Who in the hit BBC sci-fi series celebrates his 79th birthday today.

On this day in 1042 Harthacnut otherwise known as Canute lll King of Denmark and King of England died aged 23/24 under circumstances that lead to some suspicion of poisoning by his younger half brother and his successor Edward the confessor. Harthacnut was the King of Denmark from 1035-1042 and King of England from 1040-1042. He was actually the result of a second marriage but his father King Cnut insisted probably at the insistence of his ambitious wife Emma that their children take precedence over any previous children. Son of King Cnut the great who ruled Denmark, Norway and England, Harthacnut struggled to fully hold onto his fathers kingdom and possessions upon his death. He lost Norway to King Magnus l but held onto Denmark and England. Because of the difficult circumstances and battles in Denmark he wasn’t able initially to leave Denmark and visit England so his half brother Harold Harefoot was appointed to rule as regent on his behalf. Unfortunately for Harthacnut his half brother came to be seen as the actual rightful monarch because he had acted as regent for several years without an appearance from the actual monarch. As some notable person said "forsaken because he was too long in Denmark " Harthacnut was determined to right this situation and travel to England and exert his authority and claim to rule. Adding further fuel to the fire Harold who was Harthacnut half brother through his father had murdered one of Harthacnuts other ambitious half brothers through his mother's side! His mother Emma was baying for blood and planted to join her son Harthacnut in a bloody invasion of England to exact revenge and have her sons murderer killed in revenge. However word reached them that Harold was dying and a full blown expensive invasion was not necessary as upon his older half brothers death he would be invited to take the throne. Upon his arrival to claim the throne his mother insisted they should still take revenge on his dead half brother for the murder and insisted his body was dug up and beheaded and thrown in the Thames! Absolutely gruesome although his torso was later retrieved and buried in a churchyard. Harthacnut reign as King was short and in truth he was pretty unpopular after dramatically increasing taxes to pay for military might to secure his kingdom and throne against an invasion from Norway or Denmark. He was also very autocratic when previously England had become used to being ruled by a council system and team of advisors on behalf of the monarch as opposed to dictatorial rule. Such was the resistance to his taxes that he introduced a hurrying punishment system threatening to burn down districts or villages that were resisting paying up. This lead to the murder of some 'tax gatherers ' as they were called. One area that tried to continue as semi independent in its governance Northumbria found its Earl of Northumbria murdered for defying the grudge bearing King who tricked him into thinking he was being offered safe passage but was actually being set up to be ambushed and killed on the Kings orders. Harthacnut died at the toasting of a newly wedded couple at a wedding reception and while this remains unproven it is suspected by some that his younger half brother Edward the confessor had him poisoned not just because he directly benefitted from his sudden collapse and death at the party event but because Edwards father in law the Earl of Wessex died in similar circumstances in the future. On the other hand Harthacnut wa known to be extremely gluttonous and a heavy drinkers and the sudden stroke killing him theory is not without merit. Many of the finer details of this era are debated by historians but the broad details and game of thrones dynastic savagery is well established.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/18823223/england-tom-youngs-tiffany-wife-dead-cancer/ Tiffany Young, the wife of former England Rugby Union player Tom Young, has died of a type of blood cancer aged 35.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/hollyoaks-star-jorgie-porter-announces-24169575 Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter announces she is pregnant.

On this day in 1969 american actor Robert Taylor died aged 57 from lung cancer. A very busy actor especially during the 1930s pre war period Taylor starred in films such as A Wicked woman (1934) , The Gorgeous Hussy (1936) - alongside Joan Crawford, Magnificent Obession (1935) with Irene Dunne and The Crowd Roars (1938) with costars Mickey Rooney and Maureen O'Sullivan. His first wife was legendary Hollywood actress Barbara Stanwyck.

I will try and do some research!

British actress Millicent Martin celebrates her 88th birthday today. The accomplished actress of stage and screen was tony nominated for her role in theatre show Side by side by Sondheim and starred in numerous other successful stage productions such as 42nd Street and King of hearts. In film Millicents credits include Alfie where Michael Caine was her costar and film adaptation of a stage musical Stop the world-I want to get off . A recurring role on US sitcom Frazier playing Gertrude Moon and four years in US Daytime soap Days of our lives are some of her more recent work. Former England International cricketer Derek Underwood celebrates his 77th birthday today. He played for the national team from 1966-1982.

On this day in 1394 Anne of Bohemia who later became the first wife of King Richard ll of England and thus Queen Consort of England , died aged 28 reportedly from the plague. Anne was the eldest daughter of king Charles Vl of Bohemia ,who was also the first King of Bohemia to become Holy Roman Emperor He was at the time the most powerful monarch in Europe, ruling over half of Europe by size and population. Her marriage to King Richard ll came about as a result of the great western schism that resulted in two rival popes both claiming legitimacy and true authority. A split in christendom that was largely driven by politics, personality and territorial considerations. The marriage was encouraged and sanctioned by Pope Urban Vl in an attempt to create an alliance that was stronger against the French and their choice for Pope -Pope Clement. The marriage however was largely opposed by the English gently and politicians because no money or dowry was offered by Anne's father in exchange for the marriage whereas some other possible brides such as Caterina Visconti daughter of the Lord of Milan came with a huge dowry and financial benefits to England. This was the marriage the establishment favoured but Anne as wife prevailed despite England actually having to pay the Kingdom of Bohemia a dowry because Annes brother King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia wrote a letter to King Richard expressing his belief they both had a moral duty to reunite christendom. There were few traditional diplomatic benefits to England as a result of the marriage but English merchants were now permitted to trade freely with all of the Bohemian lands and the Holy roman empire. Criticism and opposition to the union persisted with one chronicler at the time citing the fact the ship she arrived in almost immediately crashed and smashed up after she disembarked from it meant she was a bad omen. Opinions softened in some quarters and among the population as Anne developed a reputation for often trying to intervene on the side of leniency for example during the peasants revolt when harsh action was deemed by many in parliament and the nobility. Subsequently historians have largely credited Anbe with being a moderating influence on her husband King Richard given how his behaviour deteriorated after she died and he became more zealous, ambitious without clear plans and autocratic leading to him being despised and deposed from power. The official records suggest he choose to step down but all other evidence points to him being forced out after overplaying his hand arrogantly. Because Anne's father governed from a part of Europe that was the centre of the new gothic style it is attributed to Anne that some gothic trends started to gain a foothold and influence in England. The marriage of 12 years produced no children and when Anne died in Sheen Manor in 1394 King Richard in his grief ordered the destruction and demolition of the manor.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/pippa-middleton-pregnant-third-child-b2094448.html Pippa Middleton , Socialite and sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, is pregnant with her third child.