in 1957 the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory moved for the first time. It moved .... an inch!
At bit like my bike these days, sigh. 

Hope you birthday boys and girls are doing a bit more riding. Keep safe, and have a blast today:
bandits rebel, Ben-DoA, biggels, Bobbysucker, Burnham John, CBRJAMIEE, DAS 6, Garry_73, Granpapa Smurf, Happybiker74, jamstarninja, jpope5, kawaman650, Kendo68, lucylou3, Luke34, m4.mac, marco247mark, nowenator, russmac, Ruth xlcr, scania-cat, scrumpyboy, sg612604, SKIDMARK, steve 12, stuart1, tazmania69, thecoventrykid, Tigg, tonycfc, UndeadTeddy, unicornapple, vtwinchap, YIPSLAPDOP                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1968 the world's largest hovercraft was launched at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Hovertravel service across the solent is the longest running commercial hovercraft service in the world, and now the only such scheduled passenger service in Europe.
Now I did not know that. Next time I'm going that way I reckon I'll check it out even if it means leaving the wheels behind.

Happy birthday everyone celebrating today:
A9, ActiveJeans, adventure04, Aj_fcuk, AndyApp, Angela Landry, biggirl, Cataraptor, crashtopher, crunchysnail, cyberjack, Daz04, Fifeowl, Harleybob1, hazel1968, Hot Rats, icklestunna, Jayne0402, johneguitar, jon j, jonjon46, Jools004, lindy0402, Live to Ride, lone groover, lorz1000, lumb biker, markymark, maxvee, NathanR, Pixxx, redsquirrel, rideronthestorm1, SerenityImpureZX12, smiler944, Steveblueeyes, tea n cake ?, Tete, tigerops, XTsuperten                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1840 John Boyd Dunlop was born. A Scottish vet, he is acclaimed as the inventor of the pneumatic tyre which he tested on his son's tricycle and patented in 1888. Two years after he was granted the patent he was told that it was invalid as another Scottish inventor, Robert William Thomson, had patented the idea in both France and the USA in 1846 and 1847 respectively.
Didn't Scottish folk come up with some fantastic ideas?

I hope all your wheels are turning today and over the weekend. Have a great birthday:
bandiflip750, bigrog132, daffie, dano1966, danr1200gsa, dodger132, Gaia, GentlemanJohn, Goldwing Nut, Hells, Hopper3257, james-newbiker, Jonno VFR, kazzam69, laura2, lord knight, lunty74, mailyats, malc112, Melboy, morgan5261, Neil61, Nowgotabike, patgixer, peter684, Raspberry, Salty68, Sandy76, silverstreetmoto, smfzzr600, smith101, theolivetree, Triumphtriple                                                                                                                                                                              

in 1931 "the greatest living Yorkshireman", Freddie Trueman, was born. An outstanding fielder and fast bowler, he was the first bowler to take 300 wickets in his test career but he didn't exactly get on with the cricket 'establishment' and was often omitted from Test teams.

Also doing their own thing their own way, I'm sure, are those sharing his birthday today. Happy birthday to you all:

artful222, Baddog, Ben1990, big mitch, bikerboyk12, BikesnFootball, blonde78, bobbyfrankenstein, Brads68, Canada Rider, carroll, chuckle, crazycal, DAN2SLY, Doh Boy, Emiel, funkyal, FZSGLEN, gsxr2501, Jayrider, jeronimo, lfbiggles, like bmw 1200gs, lun, mamola3, mtomas2000, PurpleStorm, roadman8, Ruddman, streetbiker, suesdodd, Tracey Vinyard, xxpwxx                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1964 the Beatles arrived in New York for their first tour of the United States

in 1937 Britain's first dive-bomber, the  prototype B-24 Skua, made it maiden flight piloted by Dasher Blake. Why don't people have names like that these days?

A select few BMers celebrate today, happy birthday to you all:

AL 64, carolanne07, cbrman, cullybacky, DaveDeejayRT, DaveXJR1300, Earthscore, Floydster6, forestride, galligodwin, gixerob1, mages45, mas9042003, mickyzrx1100, RHGD0641, ruffcyderider, valentino63                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1983 the Aga Khan's Derby winner, Shergar, was kidnapped from his stables in Ireland. A ransom of £2m was demanded but not paid. Like Lord Lucan, Shergar was never seen again.

Riders of a different kind of horsepower , I hope all of you celebrating today have a great time:
adzzzz64, Aeroscot, beggers, Busaboy44, DaneZos, Dean-o, ducatiracergranny, FireStorm-X, Foxes4eva, Gsxrjon, hango, HarleyChickSarah, islander1181, jack 1, ken1957hi, lesleyann, madharry, margarf, merlin 1957, naughtymouse, nsatoro, Sinner, super, tim95, trike13, Winters gone yaay                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1979 Nottingham Forest signed the UK's first £1m transfer deal when they signed England and Birmingham City forward Trevor Francis.
Total waste of money is professional football IMHO (ducks and runs for cover)

Worth their weight however are our good buddies:
883lee, agha, beaujacks, bjax, blondebiker1991, Bobster68, cbr600boy, Compocharlie, digger1958, Dragonrider, edthedog, Frumpy taff, gman1, GS1085, harley88ci, jarnosaarinen, jimmy1967, kate48, Kristopher91, ktmtrudy, Lonelygirl44, Marianna, paulajane70, pete9263, Riggy66, robmkzx10, Sab, sassysarah2, Stormylady09, suzukistevet250, Zanda

Hope you all have a great day.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 2014 Jenny Jones from Bristol won not only Britain's first medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics, but Britain's first ever medal on snow when she took Bronze in the women's snowboard 'slopestyle' event. She also happened to be the oldest competitor at the grand old age of 33. Go girl!

Celebrating in a different way today are our birthday boys and girls, have a good one all:
69harley69, Air, alfie_moon, AmyB, Asum Beemer, barneyg42, Biker Baz, Bikerbaz69, bollockchops, calmotonic, cbr andy 88, diamondtrinket, Ducatimad, Dunstan, Ffoxylady, Homer, iain gs, Jen Jen Sparkle, leafsprings, leeroygreen, leighducati, marchabgood, MarkTLS, MiraAmin, Oupa, ray01, Russterman, tedjusant, wirespeed, xjrmax                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1895 the lowest ever UK  temperature, minus 27.2°, was recorded at Braemar. It was equalled, also at Braemar, 87 years later - but I don't think were going to get anywhere close this year, already seeing signs of spring and looking forward to more biking days. 

in 1934 John Surtees was born, the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels.

Other bikers celebrating today are this merry bunch:

adeymac, alan76, Andygsxr1000, Babylonia, baldy R1, bdfl, bikerbabe1, billy110261, blackbirdjames11, botfoj67, bpositive, collinmccabe, Colti, Conor, dj11021988, Hilts82, i_malc, Intelly-gent, jasebakes, jcasey007, Londonirish11, menopaws, motoguzzijim, Nickj, norrie, numetal, oops, sime21, Stu63, sutherland, ThePurpleFairy, Tortured D, triplemania, Wayne with an R, xXHayleyXx
Happy birthday one and all.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1932 Ramsay MacDonald introduced a bill to improve youth courts, raise the age of juvenile responsibility and to ban whipping of under 14s - what WAS he thinking!!! 

also on this day, in 1809 Charles Darwin was born. Now there's a man who had some ideas about natural selection.

Of course our birthday boys and girls are shining examples of everything good and proper 
Happy birthday to you all:

Avesy, Barkstar, berserker1, Bigmandamo, bikerburnout, blackr, blueangel61, BonBon12, charliebee6, Danjam1974, dodcbrxx, edmondsflooring, Gazzar, geo22, GSF600S, HairyHooligan, harryhighx, Haryamazaki, Hawkeye7, Johnnyc, krustchoff118, linz, lisad2014, mangascara, monsterhilux, phil.pip, Presley, r1matty, SHAGGI, sportster rider, Suzuki c, tinyteen, upgradescott, viking7000, von4you, zrxchick                                                                                                                                                                              

in 1988, the winter Olympics opened in Calgary and made a media sensation of Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards, a plasterer who dreamt big. The IOC later changed the rules for entry to the games to prevent such amateur entries - big shame.

Also sharing their birthday today with Robbie Williams and Ben Collins a.k.a. (sacked) Stig are our friends:

antwillz5, Biker fzs600, biketrash, Billybazza, busamike, Dawniej50, Dext37, Eagles, fathead, GrandPikeMike, grey w, Hayabusalee, homologation, Irishshell, justjerry, Kel916, marki b, MelissaJane600, MikeMike, nutnut, Petite Rider, R0B, RedDog66, samm-gsxr, skiman01, sparkleboo, stormwalker, stuartb, threebulus, Twokan, vectragsi16, worcs girl, Yessghp23

Have great day, all of you.                                                                                                                                                                              

in 1984 Torvil and Dean won ice dance Olympic Gold with their Bolero routine, scoring an all-time highest score (for a single programme) which included a perfect set of 6.0's for artistic impression.

in 2006 Chip and PIN cards were introduced to increase card payment security. There are times when I wish I could just sign for something, probably ought to ditch some plastic.

Anyway, on to birthdays and today we send big hugs to our birthday buddies:
Alisha, Bannerbrother, Bikerbaby680, davexs400, Ducati rider, gilly74, Gixerboy101, Greg 1200, HORSE61, Leighman, Mini Moto, Mrrivers, Nathan253, nomad5, Oakman, Pheonix616, r6slat888, RedMac, Rock-n-rotors, Run, s111nps, sheks, sherburnbikerbird, sportsman, staglioni, Stevie78, The old fox, thewhiteknight, varablade, Vino Tinto

Hope you all have a good one.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1929 racing driver Graham Hill was born. He became the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport: the F1 World Championship, the Le Mans 24-hour and the Indianapolis 500.

Equally fast on wheels are our birthday buddies:
AndrewinBognor, AndySimmo, Bandit6Rider, Bornagainbill, Dave_, Davidson1340, Debbs, doniertrex, fraz100, gixergal, harleyrider1959, Hermione, i thimk so i am, Jamesellery, lonewolf 11, mugenrider9, pillager, Pontprennau, RebelRat, S.bell94, Skola50plus, stevei zzr14, Steve-R6, TH3V1K1NG, TPT, will1949

happy birthday to you all.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1659 the first cheque, for a massive £10, was written by Nicholas Vanacker. Doesn't buy you much these days but it would comfortably have bought him a house back then!

in 1946 Pte "don't tell him" Pike, actor Ian Lavender, was born. Now well grown up from being a 'stupid boy', he has a cameo role in the film now out in the the cinemas.

If you were a Dad's Army character, which one would you be?:
arthur-uk, Badgeruk, Bling.blade, bluesuede, Bobbybiscuit, BornAgainBiker69, brummielass, comanche, cozey666, girly petrol head, gixer nelly, gotrek1, GUINNESS RIDER, Gums_N_Roses, helenincalne, hinny76, Inky witch, jimbomotorbike, juski, LiveFaster, madbikerjc, mark wizzer white, mickey7211, Mukit, newbikergirl, NEWROSE, quey, Redcar1234, rev750r, RobertT1965, shyanne81, siddy007, yam man                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1883 a Mr A Ashwell of Herne Hill in London patented Engaged / Vacant signs for toilet doors. I suspect that locks had long since become commonplace or that would have produced a huge sigh of relief!

At long last, it's your turn:
absinthe17, Advaitasoul, Alcooly, blackbirdmanxxv, bonzodog, bryn83, CAVEMANLEN, collins735, Cruicky, Dave34, HappyHandyman, Harleygsx, jackmotty, jimbo5150, lindyloo50, Maxyflame, noble ninja, plain old steve, rockchickeelicious, Sandielass, sparky63, stuartbikerboy, TheKevster, Willtor, wizzo67
for the birthday greetings.
Have a good one.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 2016 izzyhill struggled to find news that wasn't about Middle-Ages kings and queens or bombings or politics 

on a happy note, in 1969 our Lulu married Maurice Gibb, but sadly that didn't last

oh, and in 1981 Mrs Thatcher did a U-turn in withdrawing plans close 23 pits barely two years after coming to power

anyway, history aside, we celebrate today, and it's happy birthday to :
100kishkiu, Adi00, AndyV, Blind Summit, bmwdontlaugh, chris1963, Davidbell, daz2112, destanny, doctorfoster, durhambiker, Eddy7720, Free Bird, gadget69, gilliybobs, hdvrod, hog1959, ianzx10, jesterpete, jhend, JoeFreeman, little rider 999, Mike-t-, MikHug, MissusDaniels, NotGuyMartin, oregon84531000, ramsey_trog, RBOY2005, ross39, shove it, Sueliza, tatboy, Tonto666, Undercover Angel, WolfieSmith, yogibear01, zxsunday
have a great day, all of you.                                                                                                                                                                              

in 1975 Sir Garfield Sobers received his knighthood during the Queens visit to Barbados.

in 1985 the first episode of East Enders was broadcast

and the following all graced the world with their presence in various years before, between and since:
bigkol1, bikelover44, BoB13, Brianm, Dave7065, dave800, davey247, dichster, Dont Let Me Get Me, grahamlaud, grayan79, Happyhaggis, Harley_Rider, iamoutofafrica, Irishtony66, kalboo, Karpinskyj, Kazzajw, Meryl, nathan1976, ninjad, puppasmerff, Seriously93, TicToc, tiller, ZephyrDave
Have a great day and enjoy the weekend.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1472 Orkney and Shetland were pawned to Scotland by Norway in lieu of a dowry for Princess Margaret. Not a bad deal on our part at all.

Celebrating lesser gifts today are our birthday crew:
brutale65, Captain custard, dirrtydancer72, fiona45, holme, John38, JustDean, LXJamesDMX, mad granny, mark381, mick7_81, minkey, mountainbiker, mousie, mudguts65, Paul bikertrucker, Ratty46, rob883harley, scottyloves2, Scrambler1966, shakes778, Stylewise, suxyQ, the butler, The butler06, vixen666, woz6969
I hope you all get good things.                                                                                                                                                                             

in 1910, Douglas Bader was born. Despite having lost both legs whilst attempting aerobatics in 1931 we went on to become an RAF Group Captain credited with 20 aerial victories in World War II.
Goes to prove there's nothing you can't do if you have the determination.

I hope all today's birthday boys and girls have some of that grit, I'm sure you all do. Have a great day:
andymh1968, bestmate, Bikerboy10000, bikerboy1500, BlackbirdII, Blueblackbird, Boo biker chick, burtiebumfluff, cutebiker, dragonfly51, er6gothgirl, Falcon46, fun4life, girlbiker, ir1, its_steph, johnfield, kaymer34, lincslad66, loony, Lynn660, Morven, mykie, onsite47, randomsquiggles, rebel865, skint eestwood, spike.blade, Takker, thegsx1400man, Twowheeldeal, VINNITRKE, was2310, whumphy, yamahama, Yorkteaman                                                                                                                                                                              

in 1857 Robert Baden-Powell was born and ..
in 1889 his wife Lady Olave was born.
Kept birthday celebrations to a minimum in the B-P household!

Hope you all have undivided attention today:

70sCreation, beemerman, Blondelizzy, Bubbles2202, catweasle, CC_77, dandylion, davey2733, dirtbikerider123, Dtlee, Gill46, gixersix, guzzides, gypsy-anne, Jez gs, jimbrown, lichhappiman, missvondarkness, MM22, MTDan89, nomadcooperman, poppygee, rapscallion, Salt Flat Bert, Sonny1, surf dude, tastytlr, toffee_apple, tony the tiger