What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • How did I do with last year’s predictions?

    Here’s a run down of how I did at last year’s predictions.

    • Good results for Nigel Farage following the English local elections in May. Terrible results for Conservative Party.

    Exactly what happened. YES

    • No progress towards the marriage of same-sex couples in the Church of England

    Exactly what happened. Indeed, I think things may have gone into reverse. YES

    • Turbulent year for WordPress, which powers about half of the internet.

    The year began with Automattic dramatically cutting its contribution to development leading to stagnation in development and much acrimony. Subsequently restored. Deep divisions remain about Gutenberg. I’m claiming this as a YES.

    • 2025 will be the hottest year on record.

    Final figures yet to be calibrated but all reports indicate that this, unfortunately is a YES.

    • No trade deal for UK with US. Increasing talk of re-aligning economy closer to EU.

    Well, there was a trade deal in May called the Economic Prosperity Deal but it doesn’t seem to much and some of the basics have already been reversed. I suppose I have to be honest and say I didn’t get this quite right so it is a NO. But…

    • Ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war but no long term solution.

    Hard to assess this one. No long term solution, certainly. There have been a series of ceasefires proposed but none seems really to have been fully implemented. Partial YES.

    • “Assisted Dying” aka doctor assisted suicide becomes legal in at least one of the jurisdictions of the British Isles.

    I have to put this down as a  NO  as it completed its parliamentary journey in the Isle of Man but hasn’t received Royal Assent yet, so not technically legal.

    • Turbulent year for economy but stock market higher at end of year than beginning. (FTSE currently at 8,173)

    Stock market at 9,931 today and there was quite a lot of volatility in the first part of the year. So this one is a YES.

    • There will be fewer Commonwealth Realms (ie countries which share the monarchy) by the end of 2025 than there are now.

    This one is a NO though there has been significant progress in that direction in Jamaica and moves that way in Grenada.

    • Philip Mountstephen.

    Well, I was pushing Philip Mounstephen’s name as he appeared to be the only senior bishop in the C of E who actually believed the [absurd] position of the C of E bishops on same-sex relationships. But it is a NO – nothing significant to report.

     

    So – five and a half out of ten this year. Not as good as some years. A couple of near misses.

     

    ,

6 responses to “Ceilidh! Ceilidh! Ceilidh!”

  1. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Alas, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by Scissor Sisters has almost life-verse significance to me so I probably won’t attend. It does sound fun though. So will you yourself be participating, in robes and all ;-)?

    Reply
  2. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    I shall be robed for Evensong. Gloriously so.

    I shall be also be mustering up a little soft shoe gentle sway at the ceilidh. Gloriously so also.

    Oh, and there is social chat space for those who, like Jake Shears and Ryan, don’t feel like dancin’.

    Yes, and ice-cream too to cheer the soul.

    Reply
  3. padrerob Avatar
    padrerob

    Blessings on your centennial celebration! It sounds like y’all will be having a wonderful evening!

    Reply
  4. Ryan Dunne Avatar
    Ryan Dunne

    Ice cream? Is there no end to the Cathedral’s temptations ;-)?

    Reply
  5. Dennis Avatar
    Dennis

    Congratulations to St Mary’s. You’ve certainly been in my thoughts today. Twenty years ago today (Whitsunday 1988) I was confirmed at St Mary’s Glasgow by Bp Derek.

    After it was over and done the GU students who had been confirmed gathered at the home of John Turner (the chaplain) for food and drinks. It was the first time I ever tried champagne and I think that I tried a bit too much that day, if I remember correctly.

    Twenty years of Episcopalianism and champagne. I wonder if it is too late to rethink this whole thing?

    Best wishes to St Marys and the people there!

    Reply
  6. Shynee Shoos Avatar
    Shynee Shoos

    Wot a ceilidh – and the Provostorial Shoes got not just dusted but must have been especially shined for the occasion of a light fandango or ten. ‘Fit for duty’ ? – Emminently !

    Reply

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