Next Dean of Norwich announced
THE next and 40th Dean of Norwich is to be Canon Andrew Braddock, Downing Street announced on Tuesday. Canon Braddock, who is 51, is currently the Interim Dean of Gloucester, and will take up his new position at the end of January. He succeeds the Very Revd Jane Hedges, who retired in May and has been Acting Dean of Canterbury since June (News, 20 May). Canon Braddock studied for his first degree at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he completed his Ph.D. in 2013. He trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, before being ordained deacon in 1998, and priest in 1999. He served his curacy in Norwich diocese, where he went on to become Rector of Cringleford and the Rural Dean of Humbleyard until 2008. He was then the Mission and Evangelism Officer in Gloucester diocese until 2013, when he became Director of Mission and Ministry. Canon Braddock said that it was “a joy” to be returning to Norwich.
Southwark creates Dean of Estates Ministry
THE Vicar of St James and St Anne, Bermondsey, Canon Gary Jenkins, who is also the Area Dean of Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, has been appointed to the newly created position of Dean of Estates Ministry in Southwark diocese. He will take up the appointment in January 2023, after a farewell service on Sunday 4 December. The position was created by the Bishop, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, who said: “My hope . . . is to energise missional presence and engagement, sharing the gospel and serving the people on estates in line with the vision around which the diocese was created.” Southwark is the diocese with the second highest number of estate parishes in the C of E, defined as any parish with more than 500 units of social housing. The full-time position is funded through its Vision Development Fund.
Teenage arsonist detained in a secure hospital
A TEENAGER, Johnny Brady, who pleaded guilty last month to six counts of arson and one count of burglary at churches and schools in Derbyshire (News, 8 July), has been detained in a secure hospital, the BBC reports. Last Friday, Derby Crown Court heard that Mr Brady had “enjoyed” watching the buildings burn, causing millions of pounds’ worth of damage. This included St Mary’s Catholic School, and the Grade I listed All Saints’, Mackworth, of which only the tower survived after a fire in December 2020 (News 11 December 2020; 1 January 2021). The defence said that Mr Brady, who is 19 and of no fixed abode, suffered from “severe and enduring” autism. A psychiatrist told the court that Mr Brady’s condition could be treated in a secure environment.
Blackburn Cathedral vaccination centre to close
THE crypt of Blackburn Cathedral, which became one of the first mass vaccination sites in the country during the pandemic (News, 22 January 2021), is to close this weekend, having delivered almost 200,000 Covid-19 vaccinations. The clinic is moving to new premises in the city in preparation for the autumn vaccination programme, which begins on Monday. Lichfield and Salisbury Cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, and Bangor Cathedral all opened as vaccine clinics for their communities. Chester, Rochester, and Worcester Cathedrals became Covid test centres.
Bishop Grandison calls on PM to end ‘hostile environment’
THE new administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) in England and Wales, the Rt Revd Claion Grandison, has promised to honour the Windrush legacy. In his first message as bishop, he called on the new Prime Minister “to officially announce the end to the ‘hostile environment’ that adversely affects our communities. We invite churches to stand with those who have been treated unjustly and lobby Parliament on their behalf.” Next June marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of 1020 migrants on HMT Empire Windrush, who joined more than 3000 members of the Forces who travelled from their home countries to fight in the Second World War.
Fountains Abbey tops Which? survey
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THE monastic ruin Fountains Abbey, in North Yorkshire, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, in Edinburgh, were jointly named the UK’s favourite attractions in a survey of 3000 people conducted by the consumer-advice brand Which? in April and May. The sites were ranked according to value for money, staff helpfulness, and lack of crowds. Last year, the foundations of a medieval tannery were discovered at the Abbey, once home to 13 Benedictine monks, and now managed by the National Trust.