The Ven Nick Baines was installed as the new Archdeacon of Lambeth at Southwark Cathedral on Sunday 18 June. The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler said in his sermon: "Nick is a fine linguist and I have no doubt that he'll find the words and images which will communicate powerfully in different parts of his multi-cultural archdeaconry. In particular he'll be a great support to those seeking to engage with the language of youth culture. He knows too the value and importance of using the media in proclaiming the gospel in today's world. He's written several articles and books and is a very effective broadcaster. He's served as a parish priest in rural towns and villages, but he's also served in tough UPA parishes in Leicester, so knows at first hand some of the opportunities and challenges of urban church life today." The Archdeacon will chair a new Youth and Children's Policy Committee in the Diocese.

At the same service, the Rev Canon Gerald (Bill) Ritson, recently retired from St Albans, and the Rev Wendy Robins, Director of Communications & Resources in Southwark Diocese, were installed as Cathedral Chaplains.

Nick Baines, 42, was until recently the Vicar of Rothley, Leicester, and Rural Dean of Goscote, in the Diocese of Leicester. He has broadcast regularly on BBC Radio Leicester, Leicester Sound, and BBC Radio 2, and has twice received a commendation in the Andrew Cross Awards. He is married to Linda and they have three teenage children. As Archdeacon of Lambeth, he succeeds the Ven Richard Bird, who retired at the end of 1999.

NOTE: An Archdeacon is a senior member of the clergy, and usually inducts new incumbents into their parishes, shares the pastoral care of the clergy and does much practical, legal and administrative work.

The Archdeaconry of Lambeth comprises the five Rural Deaneries of Brixton (9 parishes), Clapham (9), Lambeth (5), Merton (18), and Streatham (12).

SHORT BIOGRAPHY: The Ven Nicholas Baines Born in Liverpool, 13 November 1957 1969-76: Holt Comprehensive School, Liverpool 1976-80: University of Bradford: BA (Hons. 2.2) in German & French 1977-84: Translation and liaison work in Germany, France and Britain 1980: Married Linda. 3 children: Richard (1981), Melanie (1984), Andrew (1988) 1984-87: Trinity College, Bristol: BA (Hons. 2.1) in Theological Studies 1987: Ordained Deacon. 1988: Ordained Priest 1987-91: Assistant Curate, St. Thomas, Kendal, & St Catherine, Crook 1991-92: Associate Minister, Holy Trinity, Leicester & secondment to Team Parish of Braunstone. 1992-2000: Vicar of Rothley, Leicester 1992-95: Chaplain (part-time) to Glenfrith (adult mental health unit) Hospital, Mountsorrel. 1995-2000: Rural Dean of Goscote 1995-2000: Proctor in Convocation, The General Synod of the Church of England 1999: Appointed to Crown Appointments Commission Review Group (expecting to report in 2001). 1999: Represented the Church of England at the National Conference of Roman Catholic Priests in England and Wales (Birmingham, September). 2000: Member of regional group feeding into the Leadership Forum, established by the House of Bishops to explore issues of leadership in the Church.

PUBLICATIONS: 1991: First book, Hungry for Hope (Darton, Longman & Todd). 1986-89: Involvement in Theological Education and the Media project based at Edinburgh University and concerned with questions of communication with and education of people living in a media-saturated society. 1997: Handbook for Rural Deans. Various articles and reviews.

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