Dean criticises austerity burden on north-east
THE "disproportionate" cuts in public funding in the north-east of England have been criticised by the Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Chris Dalliston, in a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Dean cited council claims that "huge reductions" in public services were the result of a cut in central funding for the region that was double, on average, what it was nationwide. The people of the area were "more exposed and vulnerable" than elsewhere, he said. He urged the Chancellor to inform him of "any intention to ensure greater fairness in the distribution of albeit scarce resources".
Priest answers YouTube plea
THE prayers, and a YouTube advert, of the parish of Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre, have been answered in the form of the Revd Michèle Marshall. Mrs Marshall has accepted the post of part-time House-for-Duty Associate Minister after seeing it advertised in a humorous online video ( News, 19 October). It depicts a wedding, baptism, and school assembly, with a life-size cardboard cut-out instead of a priest (tinyurl.com/vicarvacancy).
Lord Wilson to be commemorated in Abbey
WESTMINSTER ABBEY will honour the former Prime Minister Lord Wilson of Rievaulx with a memorial stone, to be dedicated this year. Harold Wilson served as Prime Minister 1964-1970, and again 1974-1976. A spokesman for the Christian Socialist Movement, Stephen Beer, said: "Recognising past leaders in Westminster Abbey reminds us that, whatever their own approach to faith, they are part of the ongoing story of our nation, in which faith and God will continue to be vitally important."
Bishop Jones reflects on Hillsborough inquiry
BISHOPS should be asked to head inquiries when trust in the Establishment is low, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Revd James Jones, has said. In a special programme for Radio 5, on Monday of last week, Bishop Jones, who has been praised for the part he played as chairman of the Hillsborough Independent Panel ( News, 14 September), told of the impact of having a bishop chairing the inquiry, and the impact of the panel's way of working and subsequent findings on the victims' families.
