25th anniversary of the Editorial Centre

Marine Court in Hastings - home of the Editorial Centre

It is hard to believe that it is 25 years ago - but this month marks the anniversary of the day my career, and life, changed forever. It was on December 22, 1995, that my wife Pam and I bought the Westminster Press Training Centre in Hastings and changed it into the Editorial Centre. I had worked for WP for 18 years. I started as a reporter on the Shields Weekly News in Tyneside and chief subbed the Evening Despatch before becoming editor of The Northern Echo. Pam worked for the Echo as a promotions executive. In 1993 we moved South for a central management role. Two years later the parent company, Pearson, was looking to sell. As it geared up for the sale, one of the casualties was going to be the pioneering but unprofitable training centre on the seafront in Hastings - the brainchild of Nick Herbert and Bob James. I offered to buy it and, to my astonishment, the company said Yes.

An early Editorial Centre brochure

By the time we signed on the dotted line we had secured enough contracts to guarantee our fledgling business would be profitable for at least its first two years. Those working at the centre - Robin Thompson, Steve Nelson, Frank le Duc, Steve Gladwyn, Sarah Jackson (nee Dixon), shorthand supremo Sylvia Bennett and Anne Scott included - all came with us and helped turn it into a success. The first course we ran in 1996 had 21 trainees on it. In 2016 some of them held a 20th anniversary dinner near King's Cross. Unfortunately Pam and I were out of the country and couldn't attend but Gareth Dant wrote a nice piece about it here.   

The class of 96 at their 20th anniversary reunion: From left with their sponsoring newspaper in brackets: Ashling O’Connor (Bracknell News), Oliver Rowe (Wiltshire Gazette), Don Hunter (Hendon Times), Jo Burch (nee Hillier, Oxford Mail), Guy Jackson (Birmingham Post & Mail), Jonathan Elliott (self-funded), Nigel Davies-Patrick (Brighton Argus), John Weaver (Birmingham Post & Mail), Gareth Dant (D&S Times)

We trained thousands of people, many now award-winning journalists and executives. They include Matt Chorley and Sathnam Sanghera of The Times, Sam Coates and Ed Conway of Sky, Sam Greenhill of the Mail, Keith Poole of The Sun, Matt Nixson of the Express, Sian David of Reach and Denise Eaton, editor of the KMG - to name just a few. We trained in Ireland too and many of today’s senior journalists passed through the training organised by the Irish Examiner. 

That gamble 25 years ago was the start of a huge adventure I could never have predicted. It has seen me work for almost every national and regional newspaper. It has led to jobs in India, China, America, Australia, Malta, the Channel Islands and Ireland and with companies from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and Russia. We have redesigned more than 100 newspapers and produced live publications with our long-standing partner, designer Mike Brough, and met some amazing people. I will always be indebted to Shamus Donald, the human resources director of WP, who eased the deal through, negotiated an ongoing contract and made it as painless as possible. Without him, none of what happened later would have been possible. So, 25 year ago, just before Christmas, I went to a solicitors in Hastings, signed a document, which was faxed to Newspaper House in London, transferred a bundle of cash and then Pam and I threw a party. 

The Editorial Centre thrived for nine years before we sold it to the Press Association in 2004. Thanks to Paul Potts, Tony Watson, Pat Pilton, Nick Teunon and Steven Brown for setting that sale in motion. We then helped PA absorb it into its own training company, buying the Trinity training centre in Newcastle and establishing centres in London and Howden in East Yorkshire. In 2007 I stood down as training director and set up our new company, SMS, which continued to work with PA. We still work for many media groups, including the Daily Mail whose schemes we run in London, Sydney and, until recently, New York.

It has certainly been a journey. When I was 22 and had to walk down to the river Tyne each day to pick up the fish prices to phone over to the Shields Gazette, I could never have imagined how it would turn out. We owe a big thanks to the many people who have helped and guided us, called on our services or bought me a pint along the way. Here’s to the next 25 years ... I can't wait.

Newsquiz of the week ...

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Yvonne Ridley and Toby Brown on 20, ahead of Janet Boyle on 19, Phil Lambell and Dominic Hurst on 18 and Gavin Devine on 17. The top teams were the Roberts Family and Simon, Sue and Will Cole with 21. Bruce and Sarah Hayward scored 20, as did Peter and Stacey over a pint in The Three Legs (was Tier 2 really only six days ago?), and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 19. 

If you enjoy my weekly quiz you might also like the Journalists’ Charity Newsquiz of the Year which I hosted on Zoom last Thursday. It was free to enter but participants were asked to make a donation to the charity. Fundraising has been tough this year so if you fancy helping out please do so here. There were 100 questions from the year. I have put them online here to keep you entertained during your locked down Christmas. The top score on the night was 58 by Ramsay and Stephen R. The top team score online so far, by Jack Elsom and his mum Geraldine, is 73. Why not give it a go and let me know your scores. Below is this week’s newsquiz - a day earlier than usual so I don't disturb your Christmas Day. As usual there are 25 questions. Give it a go and let me know your score. I hope you have a good Christmas break and manage to make the most of it. Here’s to a happier New Year. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. UK and EU negotiators were locked in talks in Brussels over the final details of a post-Brexit trade deal, with both sides reportedly engaged in last-minute haggling over what?

2. Health Minister Matt Hancock announced that, because of another variant of coronavirus, anyone who had travelled to and from which country in the past fortnight, and anyone they had been in contact with, had to quarantine immediately?

3. After Wednesday’s announcement by Health Minister Matt Hancock which of these counties will not be in Tier 4 from Boxing Day? a) Suffolk b) Cambridgeshire c) Oxfordshire d) Gloucestershire

4. At a coronavirus press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that more than how many people had been given their first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine?

5. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said there would be 'multiple testing sites’, including which airport, for lorry drivers hoping to cross the Channel?

6. The Guru Nanak Darbar temple and charity Khalsa Aid, from which religious community, organised hot meals for stranded lorry drivers at Dover?

7. Home Secretary Priti Patel warned of the Covid-19 variant and said: 'It's a stronger strain of the virus in the sense that it's more transmittable, it's a ___ virus.’ What is the missing word?

8. As Europe reacted to Britain’s announcement about the mutant strain of Covid-19, which were the only two EU countries not to impose a blanket ban on UK travellers? Half a point for each.

9. Around 300 care home residents, usually known by what name, received 'the best early Christmas present we could hope for’ when they were offered the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine?

10. Which car manufacturer announced it would stop production earlier than planned for Christmas at Deeside in north Wales, Burnaston in Derbyshire and at its French plants because of the chaos caused by Covid-19 border closures?

11. Coronavirus reached which continent, which had up until this week been free of the virus, with 36 reported cases?

12. Who urged the Government to give as many people as possible an initial dose of a Covid vaccine - rather than preserving stocks so there is enough for a second jab?

13. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there were 'no excuses' for her breach of Covid rules after she removed her face mask while attending what in Edinburgh?

14. Lady Margaret Tebbit, who died aged 86, was paralysed 36 years again in which incident?

15. Two men were convicted of the manslaughter of how many Vietnamese people who were found dead in a lorry container in Essex?

16. Jesse Kempson was finally named this week after an order banning his identity was lifted. Who is he?

17. Why was England and Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier suspended from football for ten weeks?

18. Twitter announced that it would wipe millions of followers from which account?

19. Liverpool registered an away top-flight win by a margin of seven goals for the first time in their history? Who were they playing?

20. What happened to 89-year-old moonshine maker Alfred Lee Crum, convicted murderer Nicholas Slatten and Dutch lawyer Van der Zwaan this week?

21. The former face of Chanel, the ‘muse' of Gianni Versace, who was described by Naomi Campbell as the 'epitome of grace', died aged 50. What was her name?

22. Which two planets came closer than at any time in 400 years in what was called the great conjunction? Half a point for each.

23. Bill Bailey became the oldest-ever winner of Strictly Come Dancing. How old is he?

24. Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year but who was second?

25. The Thursday Murder Club, by which author, became the first debut novel ever to be the Number One Christmas best seller?

Answers here

Newsquiz of the Year

I was honoured to be asked to host the Journalists' Charity Newsquiz of the Year on Thursday. It was good to see so many old, I mean familiar, faces even if it was on Zoom. Well done to Ramsay and Stephen who were joint top scorers with 58. Thanks to everyone who took part. It was free to enter but participants were asked to make a donation to the charity. Fundraising has been tough this year so if you fancy helping out please do so here. There were 100 questions from the year. I have put them below to keep you entertained during your locked down Christmas. Give it a go and let me know your scores. 

Journalists' Charity Newsquiz of the Year

1-10. I have mixed the faces of ten people who have been in the news in 2020. All you have to do is tell me which two faces make up each picture.

The next part of the quiz is a month-by-month rundown of things that happened and people who died.

January

11. Who received a damehood in the New Year Honours for services to music, cancer research and charity?
12. Newsreader Alastair Stewart left ITN over 'errors of judgment' on social media including using a quote from which Shakespearean play?
13. What song did MEPs sing in the European parliament immediately after the withdrawal agreement was ratified?
14. Who swept the board at the Grammys, winning five awards, including best new artist and song of the year?

The following all died in January. All you have to do is name them.

February

18. Boris Johnson became the first serving Prime Minister to be granted what since the Duke of Grafton in 1769?
19. Who resigned as BBC’s deputy political editor to join Times Radio?
20. The 40-year-old MP for Richmond became one of the youngest people to take what job?
21. Which film stole the headlines at the Oscars by becoming the first non-English language film to take the prize for best picture?

The following all died in February. All you have to do is name them.

March

25. Who was the first UK MP to be diagnosed with coronavirus? 
26. Annemarie Plas, 36, from Brixton, came up with what idea after seeing something similar in her home country of the Netherlands?
27. Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the aim was to limit deaths to fewer than what figure - which he said would be ‘a good outcome’?
28. The release date for the new James Bond film was postponed because of the virus. What is the film called?

The following all died in March. All you have to do is name them.

April

32. What is the name of the London hospital where Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in intensive care?
33. Who wrote a letter to the editors of the Sun, Mail, Express and Mirror saying there would be a policy of 'zero engagement’? 
34. Captain Tom Moore and Michael Ball reached No 1 in the charts with a song that had been at the top spot twice before. What was it called?
35. Keir Starmer was elected as leader of the Labour Party with 56.2 per cent of the vote but who came third with 16.2 per cent?

The following all died in April. All you have to do is name them.

May

39. Asked about his Barnard Castle trip, Dominic Cummings said: 'My wife was very worried, particularly as my ___ seemed to have been affected.’ What is the missing word?
40. Carrie Symonds introduced her new baby. What is his first name?
41. 'Max and Keira's law’ came into force meaning that everyone, unless they opt out, becomes what?
42.  At 85, who became the oldest person to be the cover star of Vogue magazine?

The following all died in May. All you have to do is name them.

June

46. At the Regional Press Awards there were two Daily Newspapers Of The Year. The Western Mail was one, which newspaper won the other?
47. Dominic Raab, asked about taking the knee, said: 'Maybe it’s got a broader history but it seems to be taken from the ___ ___ ___.’ What are the missing three words?
48. Premier League football returned with all players sporting what three words on the back of their shirts?
49. What was the name of the slave trader whose statue was toppled by protesters in Bristol and thrown into the River Avon?

The following all died in June. All you have to do is name them.

July

53. Who tweeted: 'Good Morning! Ready and raring to go for what is a very special day. Thank you for all the well wishes, as ever, overwhelmed by your support. #todaywillbeagoodday’?
54. What two-word phrase meaning 'the heart of the matter' was reported to be on Sky Sports list of banned words and phrases associated with slavery?
55. Who announced she was to leave her job as a Radio 4 presenter after 33 years?
56. In an exchange over deaths in care homes at Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson called Sir Keir Starmer Captain who?

The following all died in July. All you have to do is name them.

August

60. Which banker, a senior executive at Capital Group, was awarded a knighthood for 'political service’?
61. The postponed FA Cup final, the first to be held behind closed doors, was won by which team?
62. The Home Office dismissed which company as ‘over-priced junk food’ after it posted tweets criticising Home Secretary Priti Patel’s approach to migrant crossings in the English Channel?
63. Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was arrested on which island following a fight outside a bar?

The following all died in August. All you have to do is name them.

September

67. The Government announced Operation ___ that promised to deliver up to 10million coronavirus tests a day. What’s the missing word?
68. The valuation of which company at $2.3 trillion (£1.7 trillion) surpassed the entire value of all the companies in the FTSE 100?
69. More than 7,000 people complained to Ofcom about a routine on Britain’s Got Talent, inspired by Black Lives Matter, performed by which act?
70. Gary Lineker was the highest-paid man on the BBC’s presenter list? Who was the top-paid woman?

The following all died in September. All you have to do is name them.

 

October

74. The Government pulled an advert that caused a stir for suggesting 'Fatima’s next job could be in cyber'. What was Fatima’s existing job?
75. Who said he would not accept the people in his area being treated as 'canaries in the coalmine' for an experimental regional lockdown strategy?
76. Why was Chris Noden refused entry to Tesco in Newport, South Wales?
77. Which British politician told an election campaign rally in Arizona that Donald Trump was the most resilient and brave person I have ever met in my life?

The following all died in October. All you have to do is name them.

November

81. Lee Cain, the Downing Street communications director who resigned, once dressed up as what to pursue David Cameron at the 2010 election?
82. In new Covid measures announced by the Government for December which was the only mainland place in England to be in Tier 1?
83. Scotland became the first country in the world to provide free and universal access to what?
84. What, with a 6,000 per cent increase in its use in 2020, was named word of the year by Collins Dictionary? 

The following all died in November. All you have to do is name them.

December

88. What did Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove say was a starter but then change his mind and say it was a ‘substantial’ meal?
89. US President-Elect Joe Biden said he would ask Americans to do what for his first 100 days in office?
90. UK grandmother Margaret Keenan was the first person in the world to be given the Covid-19 vaccine at a hospital in which city?
91. Barbara Deeks from Shoreditch died this month. How old was she? 

The following all died in December. All you have to do is name them.

Missing words

The following are all newspaper headlines from 2020 with one word missing. All you have to do is identify the missing word.

95. From the Daily Star

96. From the Daily Mirror

97. From The Times

98. From the i newspaper

99. From Metro

100. From The Daily Mail

Tie-breaker

And just in case there was a dead-heat, there was a mixed up face as a tie-breaker. All you have to do is identify the two people that make up the face. 

Thanks for taking part. I hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to donate to the Journalists' Charity. Have a great Christmas and happier New Year.

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Toby Brown with 18. The top team score was 21 by Simon, Sue and Will Cole and the Roberts Family. They were narrowly ahead of The Penmans, Maura and Phil Parsons and Bruce and Sarah Hayward who all scored 20. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe clocked up 18, Neil and Jo Benson 17 and Peter and Stacey 16. I enjoyed hosting the Journalists’ Charity Newsquiz of the Year last night. It was great to see so many familiar faces, albeit on Zoom. Thanks to everyone for taking part and well done to Ramsay and Stephen who were joint top scorers with 58. I will post the quiz of the year later today. There are 100 questions from 2020 to keep you entertained during our locked-down Christmas. Meanwhile here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

Today's front pages

1. The Government announced that how many people, to the nearest million, would be subject to the England's strictest measures - Tier Three - from tomorrow (Saturday)?

2. Under new restrictions issued this week which county joined Cornwall as the only mainland place in England in Tier 1?

3. Which Conservative MP faces a fine for breaking Covid rules by giving a speech at a business dinner attended by 27 people in London?
4. VUI – 202012/01 was in the news (though thankfully not in the headlines). What is it?

5. Which European leader announced he will self-isolate for seven days while working remotely after testing positive for Covid-19?

6. Dale McLaughlan, 28, was jailed for four weeks for breaching the Isle of Man's Covid-19 laws. What did he do?
7. Updating the European Parliament on Brexit, President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘There is a path to an agreement now - the path may be very ___, but it is there’. What is the missing word?
8. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that how many 80-metre gunboats had been placed on standby to guard British waters from EU trawlers if there is no new agreement on fishing rights?

9. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House of Commons, said which organisation should be ‘ashamed' of a 'political stunt of the lowest order’?
10. The Supreme Court overturned a February judgment, by the Court of Appeal, that what was illegal?
11. What will gay and bisexual men in long-term relationships be able to do from next summer? 
12. At Prime Minister Questions Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked ‘how on earth’ could Boris Johnson justify Dominic Cummings's pay rise of how much?
13. Donald Trump’s administration scheduled more what than any president for a century … including four during the last days of his term? 

14. English teacher Will Knowland lost his appeal against dismissal from where?
15. Nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah of Lewisham became the first person in the UK to have what listed as a cause of death?
16. David John Moore Cornwell, who died aged 89, was better know by what name?
17. Which city’s police force is to be placed in special measures after inspectors expressed 'serious cause for concern' after the force failed to record a fifth of all reported crimes?
18. Gerard Houllier, who died aged 73, managed two English football teams -Liverpool, from 1998-2004, which other? 
19. Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson was banned from what for four years after he was filmed punching a man in Portugal?
20. Anthony Joshua defended his heavyweight titles against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev by knocking him out in what round?
21. What did Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith do on Tuesday instead of moving house?
22. England footballer and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was banned from driving for nine months and fined how much after admitting careless driving?
23. The Grocer magazine's Top Products rankings, revealing how coronavirus had changed buying habits, showed alcohol and meat were the fastest-growing products in 2020 but which of these were hardest hit, £182.8m down on last year? 

a) Bottled water b) Cosmetics c) Chilled ready meals d) Cereal bars
24. Who announced on Instagram they were leaving by saying: 'There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focussing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process.’
25. Tom Cruise was recorded shouting at workers on the set of Mission Impossible ___  and threatening to fire them if they broke Covid-19 guidelines. What is the missing number?

Answers here

Give the newsquiz a go

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Toby Brown with 20. The highest scoring team was Simon, Will and Sue Cole with 22. Peter Gunthorpe and Stacey Pierson, Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Phil and Maura Parsons and The Roberts Family all scored 21. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe and The Penmans clocked up 18. 

If you enjoy this weekly quiz you might be interested in joining me in the Journalists’ Charity’s Christmas newsquiz of the year next Thursday. There are prizes and, more importantly, you can join the hall of fame. There is no entry fee but if you fancy making a donation to the charity it would be appreciated. It should be fun. You can register here. Below is this week’s quiz, as usual 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

A range of today's front pages

1. Boris Johnson said of his efforts to secure a last-ditch Brexit deal with the EU: 'I will go to Brussels, I will go to ___, I will go to ___, I will go to wherever to try and get this home and get a deal’. What are the two missing cities? Half a point for each. 

2. Grandmother Margaret Keenan, 90, was the first person to be given a Covid-19 vaccine  … what was the name of the second person?
3. Sales of a University Hospitals charity T-shirt worn by Margaret Keenan, the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, tripled since its moment in the spotlight. What creature featured on her top? 

4. UK's medical regulators, the MHRA, said people with a history of ‘significant’ what should not have the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid jab after two NHS workers had side effects?

5. The UK was the first country to approve Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, followed by Bahrain. Which country was third? 

6. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that from Saturday morning travellers returning to the UK from where must self-isolate for two weeks because of rising infection rates?

7. Broadcaster Kay Burley apologised for breaking Tier 2 lockdown restrictions when she celebrated what event with colleagues? 

8. Labour MP Chris Bryant is to escape action despite claims he mimed what two-word phrase at Speaker Lindsay Hoyle during Prime Minster’s Questions?

9. A report that looked at 250 cases of stillbirths, brain damage and deaths of babies and mothers at which hospital trust said 'urgent action' was needed to improve safety?

10. Asda joined M&S, Waitrose, John Lewis and Aldi to announce it would be doing what over the Christmas break?

11. What is the name of the rugby player who is taking legal action against the game's authorities after being diagnosed with dementia and saying he could not remember winning the World Cup with England in 2003?

12. How was Barbara Deeks from Shoreditch better known?

13. Which two people were named Time Magazine's Persons Of The Year? Half a point for each.

14. Joe Anderson, the mayor of which city, announced he was to step aside after he was arrested during investigations into allegations of bribery and witness intimidation?

15. American federal regulators and more than 45 state prosecutors are taking legal action aimed at breaking up which company, arguing that no firm 'should have this much unchecked power’?

16. After being booed by fans for taking the knee, Millwall FC instructed its players to do what instead before Tuesday’s Championship game against QPR?

17. Former Leeds Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield raised more than £1.5million, to support his colleague Rob Burrow who has motor neurone disease, by doing what?

18. Street artist Banksy confirmed on his website that an image of a woman sprayed on a house in Bristol was his work and was called what?

19. Who announced his retirement by saying: 'As someone in his 77th year who will be in his 10th year hosting the great British institution ... I think it's time to smell the flowers and get a dog’?

20. Who revealed he had been taken to hospital with pancreatitis after losing nearly 30 pounds 'too fast' for his role in his latest film The Midnight Sky?

21. What was sent into space to celebrate the career of David Bowie?

22. What was officially announced to be 0.86 metres higher than it had been previously calculated?

23. Who sold his entire catalogue of 600 songs to Universal Music in a deal believed to be worth more than $300million (£225million)?
24. Mahalia, Headie One and Nines all collected what this week?

25. Coronation Street marked its 60th anniversary episode by having which of its characters fall to his death from the roof of a burning house?

Answers here

Join me for the Journalist's Charity's Quiz Night

I am delighted to have been asked to host the Journalists' Charity Newsquiz of the Year next Thursday evening (December 17). It's also nice to know that I can now add ‘Quiz Legend’ to my CV. 

Why not put your Christmas jumper on, pour yourself a festive tipple and join me to test your knowledge of 2020. There are prizes to be won and, more importantly, you could get your name in the Hall of Fame. If you fancy it you can sign up here.

Donations are welcome to the charity which has supported hundreds of individuals affected by the impact of coronavirus during a year when normal fundraising activity has been put on hold.

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with a 20. Kumail Jaffer, Gavin Devine and Toby Brown all scored 18 and Liz Gerard 17. The Roberts Family were the top team with a highly impressive 23. Simon, Sue and Will Cole scored 21 and The Penmans, Bruce and Sarah Hayward and Maura and Phil Parsons all posted 18. Here is this week’s newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s events. Give it a go and let me know how you get on. 

A selection of today's front pages

1. The UK ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: 'I'm absolutely confident that we will have ___ doses available at the point next week when we start the vaccination programme'. What is the missing figure?

2. Dr June Raine, the head of the MHRA, said no corners had been cut in approving the vaccine. What is the full name of the MHRA?
3. Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam, explaining the challenges of storing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, said: 'It is not a ___ that can be taken out of the fridge and put back multiple times.’ What is the missing word?
4. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said it would not be advising which group of people to take the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine a) those with diabetes b) the under 20s c) pregnant women d) prisoners
5. The Government’s plans for Covid-19 tiers to be implemented in England were passed by 291 votes to 78 ... but how many Tory MPs voted against the measures?
6. What did Environment Secretary George Eustice says was a substantial meal but Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove say was only a starter, before changing his mind and agreeing with his colleague?
7. What did Education Secretary Gavin Williamson say would be a good step forward for Eton College?
8. Debenhams, which announced it was to close its 124 shops and lose 12,000 jobs, started as a single shop in London in which year? a) 1778 b) 1798 c) 1818 d) 1838
9. Aston Villa’s Premier League game against which team was called off after players and staff members at the host club tested positive for Covid-19?
10. What did Health Minister Matt Hancock, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton say they would be prepared to do?
11. Four people died after an explosion at a waste water treatment works at which Bristol suburb?
12. Rescue teams launched a search for Esther Dingley, from Durham, who vanished hiking solo in what mountain range?
13. Which former president, who served as France’s leader from 1974 to 1981, died aged 94 from complications linked to Covid-19?
14. US President-Elect Joe Biden said he will ask Americans to do what for his first 100 days in office?
15. EasyJet announced that from February 10 customers will have to pay to use what?
16. Why did Notting Hill restaurant Casa Cruz make the headlines?
17. More than 12,800 people registered their interest and 2,300 people said they would attend an 'egg-throwing contest’ in Grantham which is to be held at the same time as what other event?
18. George Russell, 22, will be standing in for who in Sakhir, Bahrain, this weekend?
19. Dave Prowse, who died age 85 and was best known for playing Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, was awarded an MBE for what other role?
20. Football pundit Steve Thompson was suspended from BBC Radio Lincolnshire and told he must have training after using which word to describe a scuffle between players?
21. For the first time in 33 years the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will not be spending Christmas at Sandringham. Where will they be instead?
22. One of the Queen’s dogs, a dachshund-corgi cross (dorgi), died. What was the dog called?
23. The Oscar-nominated star of the film Juno announced that he was transgender and was changing his name from Ellen Page to what?
24. The singer Cher, who paid for a legal team for Kaavan to be released from a Pakistani zoo, greeted him when he flew to a new life in Cambodia this week. What animal is Kaavan?
25. Who was the last woman standing in the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here castle?

Answers here