The first guest invited by Tim to contribute was my cousin Susan Coultrup, with recollections of my dosing her with extra strong cough medicine - at the age of about three. She even brought the bottle with her!
And second cousin Bob Shakespeare recalled, in his own inimitable style, childhood home radio broadcasts, boxing matches and tented record playing sessions. He concluded with a poem about old age. Already copies have been requested!
Once started the contributions came thick and fast! Next from old school and Scout friend, Tim Janes. He recounted that whilst my school chums had footballs, cricket bats and tennis racquets I had a chemistry set!
And my oldest friend Mike Hutchinson described how we converted his father's garden shed into an operating theatre. Fortunately, Mike went on to become a haematologist and not a surgeon!
The best boss I ever had, Tom King, spoke with great feeling about the time we worked together in the 1970s.
And Jochem Schmidt, my cousin Ann's husband, caused great amusement by switching from German to perfect English halfway through his contribution!
Peter Parry spoke as one of my newest friends, even though he had been hearing about me for years before!
A magnificent highlight was a video message by first-cousins-once-removed Steve and Martin Milnes from a beach in Australia where they were spending a 'year out'. (Apparently it took seven attempts to get it right!)
At 23 days old the youngest guest, Luke Brinkworth, presented me with a replacement teddy bear, named 'Lord Willingly' (don't ask!) ...
Great hilarity was caused by Luke's absence when called upon to perform this task - he was having his nappy changed!
... and I presented him with his certificate of membership of the Shakespeare family.
Luke's pram had been specially adapted to carry his new certificate!
'This is your life' ended with a song 'composed specially for the occasion' (according to Tim), and sung by cousins Margaret, Susan and Mary. Needless to say it was soon recognised by the rest of the guests who joined in a hearty chorus of 'Happy birthday to you'!
What could I possibly say?