It’s Christmas time. There’s no need to be afraid. It’s just NVS in its Janus mask. That’s Janus, so stop your sniggering. We look back over the year and try to find positives in a sea of bad ju-ju.

Pies in space: No, not one of Rob’s less grubby fantasies, but a reality thanks to the Wigan World Pie Eating Championships. Who said British endeavour was dead? Other news includes a new skyscraper for London, 2000AD coming to a tabletop near you and a rather expensive bottle of whisky that comes embedded in a tree.