What to look forward to in 2015

As 2014 slides away into our memories and we are finally beginning to remember to write 2015 on everyday work, we take a look forward and examine what 2015 promises to offer;

• The buzz created by space exploration saw a rejuvenation in late 2014 as the European spacecraft Rosetta successfully managed to land on a moving comet (albeit with a bumpy landing). This year, from roughly May onwards, The New Horizons probe will begin to transmit photos of Pluto. Poignantly, the probe will be carrying the ashes of Clyde Tombaugh, the man who discovered Pluto back in 1930. This year will also see the first advertisement on the moon, as Japanese beverage maker ‘Pocari Sweat’ has ambitious plans to make the 236,000 mile round trip for this fantastic publicity stunt.
• Many in the technology industry are predicting that 2015 will be the year when wearable technologies really take off. Whilst it is a broad category (one announcement at the Consumer Electronic Show this year was a wearable Bluetooth patch which monitors body temperature and sends this data to your phone to avoid unsettling a sleeping baby), it is smart watches which are getting the greatest attention. Products have been released by Samsung, LG, Sony and Motorola; however it is the impending release of the Apple Watch which is likely to cause the greatest excitement.
• In the movie world we can expect to see new instalments from existing heavyweights. The list includes Jurassic World, the new Star Wars, a new James Bond Film and the final instalment of the Hunger Games. Add to that list a remake of Mad Max staring Tom Hardy, a new Terminator film starring Arnie and Paul Rudd appearing as a superhero in the film Ant-man and 2015 certainly looks set to be a year full of blockbusters.
• Whether you are looking forward to it or not, the 2015 general election looks set to dominate news bulletins for the next 5 months. At the time of writing, the most recent YouGov opinion polls had Labour and Conservative tied on 32%, whilst a decline in UKIP’s popularity seems to have recovered to 18% of the vote. The Lib-Dems meanwhile retain 7% and the Green party share is hovering around the 6% mark.
• In sport, Usain Bolt will attempt to add to his ten World Championship medals in Beijing, at the same stadium where he lit up the 2008 Olympics.  Closer to home, Rory McIlroy and Lewis Hamilton will look to carry on their success of 2014 and Andy Murray will be looking to force his way back to the top of the Tennis world. Even closer to home than that, the Rugby World Cup is being hosted in England this year. Starting in September, with the all-powerful New Zealand All Blacks defending their crown, England will be looking to claim another World Cup triumph. The last time they were successful was back in 2003 when a late drop kick scored by fly half Johnny Wilkinson secured victory over Australia and created one of this nation’s most Iconic sporting moments in recent history.
• Two notable figures of the UK’s history will also reach landmark dates in 2015– the 23^rd of April will represent 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare and on the 10^th September the Queen will become the longest reigning monarchy in British History.

2015 certainly looks set to be an exciting year and we want to hear what you are looking forward to most.

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