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New Dean Installed at Newcastle

16th October 2023

New Dean Installed at Newcastle Cathedral.

Family, friends, faith leaders and civic dignitaries gathered at Newcastle Cathedral this weekend for the formal Collation, Induction and Installation of the Reverend Canon Lee Batson as the new Dean of Newcastle.

The special service took place on Saturday and was presided over by the Bishop of Newcastle the Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

From Essex, Lee succeeds the Very Reverend Dr Jane Hedges, who served as Interim Dean following the retirement of the Very Reverend Geoff Miller in November last year.

Family, friends, faith leaders and civic dignitaries gathered at Newcastle Cathedral this weekend for the formal Collation, Induction and Installation of the Reverend Canon Lee Batson as the new Dean of Newcastle. The special service took place on Saturday and was presided over by the Bishop of Newcastle the Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley. From Essex, Lee succeeds the Very Reverend Dr Jane Hedges, who served as Interim Dean following the retirement of the Very Reverend Geoff Miller in November last year. At the time of his appointment, Lee remarked, “I am humbled and delighted to have been appointed as the Dean of Newcastle and am looking forward to working with Bishop Helen-Ann, Cathedral Chapter, Bishop’s Staff Team and colleagues in Newcastle Cathedral and Diocese as we seek to further God’s mission in our communities – not least by becoming ever more outward facing, younger and more diverse.” The Cathedral has a long history of serving the people of Newcastle and Lee spoke about his affinity with the work of the Cathedral’s Lantern Initiative, which, inspired by the building’s Lantern Tower, aims to be a beacon for people navigating challenging times and includes projects such as ‘Recovery Church’ and recent collaborations with charities including the Oswin Project, Crisis, and Changing Lives. He said: "Whilst I am new to the North East, I already feel a sense of connection with the core values of the Cathedral as a place of radical welcome which, through offering inspiring worship and other activities, seeks to empower worth. "I look forward to playing my part in building on all that has already been done to make these values a reality – particularly through the Lantern Initiative.” Lee served as Team Rector of the Epping Team Ministry and held positions as Area Dean and World Church Partnership Officer in the Chelmsford Diocese, where he forged strong ties with the Anglican Church in Kenya.

At the time of his appointment, Lee remarked,

“I am humbled and delighted to have been appointed as the Dean of Newcastle and am looking forward to working with Bishop Helen-Ann, Cathedral Chapter, Bishop’s Staff Team and colleagues in Newcastle Cathedral and Diocese as we seek to further God’s mission in our communities – not least by becoming ever more outward facing, younger and more diverse.”

The Cathedral has a long history of serving the people of Newcastle and Lee spoke about his affinity with the work of the Cathedral’s Lantern Initiative, which, inspired by the building’s Lantern Tower, aims to be a beacon for people navigating challenging times and includes projects such as ‘Recovery Church’ and recent collaborations with charities including the Oswin Project, Crisis, and Changing Lives.

He said:

“Whilst I am new to the North East, I already feel a sense of connection with the core values of the Cathedral as a place of radical welcome which, through offering inspiring worship and other activities, seeks to empower worth.

“I look forward to playing my part in building on all that has already been done to make these values a reality – particularly through the Lantern Initiative.”

Lee served as Team Rector of the Epping Team Ministry and held positions as Area Dean and World Church Partnership Officer in the Chelmsford Diocese, where he forged strong ties with the Anglican Church in Kenya.