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Chris was appointed editor of the Gazette in January 2012. He is also a former Gazette news editor. Chris has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and has previously worked in senior positions in Newcastle, Exeter and Nottingham.
Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle said taking part in the show was one of the "best things" she has ever done.
But the 60-year-old admitted that she had doubts about whether she could be able to deal with the added pressure of the contest's climax.
She said: "There is nothing so scary as the final, and I didn't know if I would be able to cope with it, but I was fine. I have never been tested to that extent, or had that pressure before, but I realised I could be pretty stoic about it all. Earlier on in the series I hadn't even realised that I had said 'You can't go forward if you are looking backward' until I saw it on TV.
"I had watched the programme before but didn't realise how big the show is. To get positive feedback from Paul and Mary takes you to a completely different level. I have never had comments from people in such authority on their subject. It carries such a great feeling when the judges say your bake is perfect, it gives you confidence and a terrific buzz.
"My earliest practice run was 5am - I would set the alarm and attempt the showstopper challenge of five hours, so at least by 10am if it hadn't worked out you knew you could have another go without losing the whole day."
Birtwhistle, who showed herself to be a no-nonsense contestant who made her views known to the judges, went on: "What I enjoy doing is teaching people how to make pastry, and it really is easy, so I would like to share some of what I know. You learn all these skills through your life and you have to pass them on.
"I have never stood in front of big crowds but I think I could be good at that. I have learned that I am good at keeping my head.
"Baking isn't difficult - you have to just keep trying and practising. I am still learning techniques even now, and I can sometimes make a complete mess of things. And when that happens you just start again, keep your patience and try and gain your confidence.
Birthwhistle grows vegetables, and rears guinea fowl and turkeys in her garden.
She said: "At home we have a hive full of honey bees, and grow our own veg and fruit which we are always harvesting. We have jars of honey in the house all the time.
"By and large in life and work you are not often told you are good at your job. Each week we were being told what we were good at, and where we could improve. You felt that you were getting this personal one-to-one tuition for 10 weeks, and doing something you really enjoy.
"Without any doubt whatsoever, it is one of the best things I have done in my life."
Youngsters have been praised for their passion and commitment after helping clean up a seaside resort.
Cleveland Police Cadets got involved with the Big Tidy Up which saw bags of litter being collected from the sea front in Saltburn.
The event, organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Community Development Team, is one of many community initiatives the cadets take part in.
Acting Sergeant Neil Robinson, who helps run the Redcar and Cleveland Cadets said: “The Cadets programme really does allow young people to develop their skills through a wide range of activities, and make a difference in their community.”
Police Cadet units are based in each of Cleveland’s four Local Authority areas, providing weekly activities for 13 to 17 year olds, with a focus on developing qualities of leadership and good citizenship and improving self-confidence, independence and resilience.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger, who joined them for the litter pick, said: “All too often young people get a bad press because of the small minority who behave antisocially and events such as the ‘Big Tidy Up’ help demonstrate what a positive contribution so many young people make to society through schemes like the Police Cadets.
“They are a fantastic bunch of young people whose passion and energy for making a difference are an inspiration to us all.”
Ministers are coming under growing pressure to test travellers for Ebola at airports and transport hubs in the UK to prevent the spread of the disease.
As news filtered through of the first death from Ebola of a patient diagnosed in the United States, Washington announced plans to introduce screening for the deadly virus at some of its airports.
Meanwhile, Britain announced that 750 military personnel would be sent to west Africa to help tackle the epidemic.
Voters are going to the polls today in a pair of by-elections which could see Ukip gain its first MP.
Douglas Carswell, who defected to Ukip from the Tories, is the overwhelming favourite to retain his seat of Clacton in Essex where he stood down when he changed parties, triggering a by-election.
Mr Carswell held the seat with a majority of more than 12,000 at the 2010 general election and is expected to benefit from a strong personal following.
The Conservatives will hold a postal primary to decide who contests the upcoming Rochester and Strood by-election for the party.
The by-election was triggered by the defection to Ukip of former Tory MP Mark Reckless, who rocked the party when he announced his switch in allegiances on the eve of the Conservative conference last month.
A Tory source said the primary, which will allow local people to vote for the Conservative candidate to fight the by-election, was in "marked contrast" to Ukip's approach.
Anti-terror police have been given five more days to question four men suspected of plotting a potentially "significant" attack on the UK, Scotland Yard has said.
Magistrates have granted a custody extension until next Tuesday, October 14, for officers to have more time to quiz the four men, arrested under the Terrorism Act.
The men, aged 20 to 21, were arrested in raids on Tuesday on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Lawyers for a millionaire accused of arranging the honeymoon murder of his new bride will continue to question a hitman allegedly hired to carry out the crime.
Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 29, has already been jailed for his part in the execution of Anni Dewani as she and bisexual husband Shrien toured a South African township in November 2010.
Prosecutors claim 34-year-old entrepreneur Dewani wanted out of his marriage to Swedish-raised Anni and arranged a carjacking in which he survived and his wife did not.
Disgraced PR guru Max Clifford is to appeal against his sentence today.
In May, the 71-year-old was jailed for eight years after being convicted of a string of indecent assaults, carried out between 1977 and 1984, using his celebrity connections to lure women.
Passing sentence at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford his personality and position in the public eye were the reasons his crimes were not revealed earlier.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has admitted that there is nothing the international coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) militants can do to make a fundamental difference in the battle for the strategically important Syrian town of Kobani.
IS is threatening to overrun the lightly-armed Kurdish defenders of the town, which is close to the border with Turkey, despite United States air strikes on the extremists' position.
The battle has sparked major protests in Turkey against its government's perceived inaction and US secretary of state John Kerry said he was deeply concerned about the situation.
Interest rates are expected to remain on hold today as signs of slowing economic growth and a cooling housing market ease pressure on the Bank of England for an imminent hike.
The Bank rate has been on hold at 0.5% for more than five years and governor Mark Carney has indicated that the time for an increase is nearing amid the recovery.
But though gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated to 0.9% in the second quarter, latest economic data - showing the recovery in manufacturing almost grinding to a standstill - has led to the claim that the upturn is "losing its legs".
The Badger Trust is going to the Court of Appeal in its battle over the legality of the latest badger culls.
The challenge arises from the Government's decision to sanction a second year of "controlled shooting" of free-roaming badgers in Gloucestershire and Somerset - this year without monitoring by an independent expert panel (IEP).
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is using the two pilot schemes to test whether the shooting method can be rolled out to other parts of England to tackle tuberculosis in cattle.
This year's Great British Bake Off champion can count former deputy prime minister John Prescott among a host of celebrity fans.
Sixty-year-old grandmother Nancy Birtwhistle, who is originally from Lord Prescott's home town of Hull, blew the judges away with her windmill showstopper on the hit BBC show to became the oldest winner of the competition.
Lord Prescott, Labour MP for Hull East from 1970 to 2010, declared his support by tweeting: "Come on Nancy! GBBOfinal."
A dim bulb thief lit up his own crime as he pinched garden lights from a man’s home.
Drunken Glen Garbutt, 46, threw himself into the spotlight as he stole lanterns to calm his girlfriend after a row, a court heard.
The bright spark’s choice of loot meant he was quickly spotted by the householder.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said the victim saw the lights moving across the garden through the frosted glass of his bathroom window.
He saw a figure in dark clothes and a balaclava carrying the solar lights at the home on Cheviot Drive, Skelton at about 12.40am on July 15.
Garbutt was arrested in minutes with the balaclava, a crowbar, a craft knife and two pairs of gloves.
He had also tried and failed to force his way into the garden shed, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.
The victim later said in a statement: “I’m not sleeping well. Every time I hear a noise outside I think it’s someone trying to steal from us, which is having an impact on everyday life.
“I’m more worried about security. I’ve been trying to secure my house.”
Garbutt, of Hambledon Crescent, Skelton, admitted attempted burglary and theft.
His criminal record of 92 previous offences included burglaries stretching back to the 1980s.
At the time of the latest crimes, he was under a community order for burglary, handling stolen goods and fraud in which an air rifle, hammers and camouflage jackets were stolen from a Skelton garage.
Alex Bousfield, defending, said: “He was trying to obtain these lights when he saw them as he walked past the premises.
“He decided that they might be something he could use to placate his partner after they’d had an argument.
“A very foolish decision, obviously not very well thought through, under the influence of alcohol.
“He was seen by the occupant. He was moving around carrying the lights. He was illuminated.”
He said Garbutt committed the crimes on a relapse to alcohol misuse, having made “enormous strides” battling a severe heroin addiction.
Garbutt kept out of trouble in the three months since and the Probation Service did not see him as a lost cause.
The judge, Recorder Ben Nolan QC, told Garbutt the courts had given him chances despite his “formidable criminal record”.
He said: “You were well equipped for committing this sort of offence.
“You had a balaclava. You carried a jemmy and other tools. I have no absolutely no doubt that you went out with the intention of committing acquisitive offences.
“I’m afraid your chances have been taken and run out.”
He jailed Garbutt for four months.
Tony Mowbray is in the frame to become the new manager of Bolton.
The former Boro player and boss is said to be very close to the top of the short-list after making his interest known.
Wanderers’ chairman Phil Gartside wants to appoint a new boss to replace axed Dougie Freedman before the international break ends and in time for Bolton’s trip to Birmingham on October 18.
And, say sources close to the Lancashire club, Mowbray ticks a lot of boxes.
Bolton are rock bottom of the Championship and have no money after being lumbered with some big wage earners they can’t sell so the new boss will need to reorganise the squad he inherits.
That Mowbray did exactly that - and successfully - when he arrived at Boro in place of Gordon Strachan in October 2010, has caught Gartside’s attention.
Mowbray turned a relegation threatened side round to finish safely in mid-table then the following season just fell short of the play-offs before his Boro reign lost momentum and dipped.
Mowbray is also an advocate of passing, attacking football and Bolton are keen to break from a more defensive style under Freedman that did not produce results and alienated supporters.
That makes him a good fit for Bolton say local sources.
And Mowbray is available. Bolton can’t afford to pay compensation so would need a boss free to join without any haggling.
And Mowbray has indicated to Bolton chiefs that he is keen.
The ex-Ayresome icon was on a rolling 12 month contract when he was axed by Boro a year ago next week so his wages are due to stop.
And in the past month or so Mowbray’s agents have been actively putting his name about as a potential candidate for vacancies in the Championship.
His camp made it known he would be available for interview at Elland Road after Dave Hockaday was axed by Leeds last month while he was also said to be on the short-list at Huddersfield but lost out to one time Charlton boss Chris Powell.
But Mowbray has tough competition with ex-West Brom boss Steve Clarke and former Norwich supremo Chris Hughton also believed to be among the candidates for the job at the Macron Stadium.
[To see illustrator Luke Kruse’s work, visit artisticlayman.com.]
Frontpage Editor Jamie Glazov and illustrator Luke Kruse have joined forces to depict the taboo truths about the Unholy Alliance between the Left and Islam. Below is their first production:
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Don’t miss Frontpage Editor Jamie Glazov discuss his book “United in Hate” and the Left’s romance with Islam in the video below:
