2025 in review

January

The UK saw early weather impacts as Storm Éowyn brought widespread wind and rain warnings, disrupting travel and services across Great Britain in late January 2025.

February

No major UK headline events listed in widely referenced records for February 2025, reflecting a quieter period nationally compared with later months.

March

On 2 March 2025, London hosted a major international summit on Ukraine, bringing leaders from Europe, NATO and others together to build support and draft coordinated peace initiatives linked to ongoing conflict negotiations.

April

In UK politics and policy, the Great British Energy Act 2025 received Royal Assent, establishing a new publicly owned energy company tasked with expanding domestic clean energy and aligning with net-zero goals.

May

Economic data showed the International Monetary Fund forecasting modest UK growth in 2025 and advising fiscal discipline, with an outlook for continued recovery and stable—but cautious—economy.

June

National defence policy was refocused with the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, the first under the current government, shaping future UK armed forces priorities amid global tensions.

July

Public response around national issues grew with anti-immigration protests across multiple UK cities, drawing large crowds and leading to arrests and confrontations in several locations.

August

The UK experienced record wildfire activity, with major blazes such as the Langdale Moor fire and severe dry conditions fuelling unprecedented numbers. This year became one of the most intense wildfire seasons on record, with wildfires burning at levels that experts warned could beat national records.

September

Slough and surrounding areas saw enhanced bus services introduced under the Bus Service Improvement Plan, extending evening and peak journeys to improve local transport connectivity.

October

Globally, 2025 was marked by significant extreme climate disasters, with cyclones, floods and wildfires among the costliest climate-related events worldwide, underlining climate urgency.

November

At COP30 in Brazil, global climate negotiations took place with debate over fossil fuel phase-outs and adaptation funding, reflecting ongoing tension between climate ambitions and geopolitical realities.

December

Late in the year the UK continued tackling foreign interference concerns in politics, with a government review launched after a high-profile conviction linked to foreign bribery impacting electoral influence.

Local sport

In ice hockey there were very contrasting fortunes. The Slough Jets won their league, southern play-offs and national play-offs. It was the culmination of a tremendously successful season for Slough’s original and winningest team. The Slough Jets organisation also launched a development team, the Spitfires, playing in NIHL2. Having successfully re-signed the majority of the 24/25 successful team, at the Christmas turn around the Slough Jets are once again topping the National League, Division 1, leading by a point but with at least 1 game in hand on the trailing teams setting up for a thrilling finish to the 25/26 season.

In contrast, after limping to a second to bottom league finish and failing to qualify for the post-season play-offs, the Berkshire Bees failed to announce concrete plans nor ticketing arrangements for the 25/26 season. Despite apparently signing a solitary player it soon became clear that things were not right and eventually the club announced the obvious, that they were pulling out of the 25/26 season. The remaining supporters were promised regular updates but nothing has, as yet, been announced. With the ice time otherwise occupied and the former Bees players now settled in other rosters there seems no way back for the TSI World backed Berkshire Bees, certainly not in Slough.

Slough Town FC competed in the 2024/25 National League South season, finishing the campaign with mixed results as they battled through league fixtures with wins, draws and losses that kept them in the division. They also had an FA Trophy run that ended in January 2025 with a defeat at Kidderminster Harriers, ending hopes of a deep cup run. Looking ahead to 2025/26, the club’s place in the National League South was confirmed by the FA with local derbies against Maidenhead United and other regional rivals on the calendar, and supporters were invited to back the team with season memberships. In August 2025, Slough began the new league season with a goalless draw away at Tonbridge Angels, showing defensive resilience as they integrated new players into manager Scott Davies’ squad. As of late 2025 standings, Slough Town sit mid‑table in the National League South, continuing their push for improvement under Davies’ leadership.

In 2025 Slough Cricket Club enjoyed a standout season in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division Two, leading the table through the summer with strong performances from key players and establishing themselves as title contenders. They registered important wins including a four‑wicket victory at Chesham to move clear at the top of the division. In September they clinched the Division Two championship with an emphatic 124‑run home win over Falkland, securing promotion back to Division One for the 2026 season. Overseas signing Vishnu Solanki played a major role in the campaign, contributing with both bat and leadership on and off the field. Youth and community cricket also shone for Slough, with local teams achieving success at finals of the Chance to Shine Street Cricket national tournament and the club hosting Girls U13 and U19 T20 Blast finals where Slough girls’ sides took home double victories. These results reflect a strong season across age groups and competitive levels for cricket in Slough