Spectator competition: acrostic predictions for the next decade

The latest competition was a technical challenge with a bit of soothsaying thrown in. You were asked for an acrostic poem containing some predictions for the next decade, in which the first letters of the lines read NOSTRADAMUS. Although the forecast was bleak — no surprise there — a welcome smattering of more leftfield prophecies made me sit up and take notice: Richard Dawkins finds God; A and Z amicably switch places; Durham’s new bishop wins Miss UK; the Chilcot report is met with universal approval. Commiserations to near-winners Sam Gwynn, G.M. Southgate, Brian Allgar, Katie Mallett and Alan Millard. Those that just beat them to it are printed below and earn £15 each; the bonus fiver belongs to Bill Greenwell.

Bill Greenwell Neuter genders are declared at birth; Oceans empty, seasides are extended;

Skinny’s out. A whistle welcomes girth, The fat are fêted; diets are suspended.

Religions blend: one God becomes another. As graveyards overflow, cremation’s law.

Dictatorships decide who was your mother.