Here is a summary of recent appointments, resignations, retirements and deaths in the Diocese of Durham.
We welcome people to new roles in the Diocese
The Revd John Swinhoe, currently Priest in Charge of Thornaby North in the Diocese of York, has been appointed Vicar of Auckland St Helen. The service of Collation and Induction by the Bishop of Beverley will be held on 22 October 2026.
The Revd Hannah Raitt, currently Interim Urban Pioneer Minister in the Benefice of Bankfoot and Bowling in the Diocese of Leeds, has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Easington, Easington Colliery and Hawthorn. The Licensing service will be held in September.
The Bishop of Durham looks forward to licensing Revd Helen Gheorgiu Gould as Director of Interim Ministry Training at Cranmer Hall alongside Revd Sarah Heslop as Chaplain to St John’s College, University of Durham, at a service to be held on Tuesday 6 October.
We give thanks for those changing their roles within the Diocese
The Revd Rich Grant, Vicar of Gateshead St George (Alive Church) was licenced as Priest in Charge of Bensham and Teams on 12 October, the two posts to be held concurrently.
The Revd John Estall, currently Priest in Charge, will be Instituted and Inducted as Vicar of Belmont and Pittington on 25 October 2026.
The Revd Nick Green, currently Priest in Charge, will be Collated and Inducted as Vicar of Stockton Christchurch on 14 November 2026.
The Revd Becky Reeve, currently Priest in Charge, will be Collated and Inducted as Vicar of Hartlepool St Aidan and St Columba on 1 November 2026.
The Revd Bethany McNeeley, currently Curate of Usworth Holy Trinity, has been appointed Priest in Charge of Hartlepool St Hilda and Assistant Curate of Hartlepool Holy Trinity. Bethany will be licensed on 26 November 2026.
The Revd Canon Adrian Gatrill, Lead Chaplain for Durham Constabulary, has been appointed Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations. He starts full-time in this role on 1 October, having served in an acting capacity for the last year.
The Revd Canon Danie Lindley, currently Vicar of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook, starts in her new role of IME2 and First Incumbent Enabler on 1 October 2026. Please pray for Danie as she develops this work.
The Revd John Hinton, currently SSM Curate of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook will be licensed as SSM Curate of Hillside (Lobley Hill and Marley Hill) on 4 October 2026.
The Revd John Mayes, currently SSM Curate of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook will be licensed as SSM Associate Minister of Gateshead Fell and Windy Nook on 11 October 2026.
We say farewell to those moving on to their next chapter
The Revd Andrew Watson retires from his post as Team Vicar in the Monkwearmouth Team Ministry on 2 November 2026.
The Revd Paul Arnold, currently Vicar of Stockton on Tees St Paul has been appointed as Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Bridlington Christ Church with Bessingby and Ulrome in the Diocese of York. Paul will be licensed to his new role on 21 October. Please be praying for Paul as he leaves, and the parish as they prepare for a vacancy.
The Revd Louise Bryson, currently Curate of Greatham St John the Baptist and Seaton Carew Holy Trinity has been appointed as Associate Priest in the Benefice of St Herbert with St Stephen; St Elizabeth Harraby; Upperby (held in plurality) in the Diocese of Carlisle. Louise will be taking up her new role on 13 October. Please be praying for Lou as she moves.
People who have recently died
The Revd Leslie Welsh RIP
The Bishop of Durham was saddened to hear of the death, on 2 October, of the Revd (Robert) Leslie Welsh. Born in 1932, he was educated at Sheffield University (BA 1954) before training for ordination at St John’s College, Durham. Ordained deacon in 1958 and priest in 1959, he was curate of South Westoe (1958-1962); and of St Cuthbert’s Darlington (1962-1966; during which time he was also a chaplain to the Territorial Army). In !966, he became Vicar of East Rainton and Rector of West Rainton, where he served for 19 years, before moving to Wolsingham and Thornley as Rector in 1985, retiring from there in 1997. In retirement he held PTO in the Diocese until 2017, still living in Wolsingham. Please remember Leslie’s family and all who mourn his death in your prayers at this sad time.
The Revd Malcolm Peach RIP
The Bishop of Durham was saddened to hear of the death, on 30th September, of the Revd Malcolm Peach. Born in 1931, he earned a BA from St Chad’s College in 1956, before going to Sarum Theological College to train for ordained ministry.
He served his title at Beamish, 1958-1961, before becoming the North-East secretary of SCM and chaplain of Grey College, Durham University 1961-1965. He then became Curate-in-Charge of the St Mark’s Stockton Conventional District (1965-1972), Priest in Charge and then Vicar of St Nicholas’ Bishopwearmouth (1972-1985). His last licensed appointment was in South Shields, where he was Vicar of St Hilda’ with St Thomas’, 1985-1995, an Honorary Chaplain to the Mission to Seamen, 1981-1985, and Priest in Charge of St Stephen’s Lawe Top, 1992-1995. Retiring in 1995, he then held PTO in the Diocese, and lived in Sunderland.
Malcolm’s body will be received into St Ignatius’ Hendon at 4.00pm on Thursday 22 October.
His Funeral Mass is at 1.00pm on Friday 23 October, and then to Sunderland Crematorium at 2.30pm.
Please remember Malcolm’s widow, Doreen, and all who mourn his death at this sad time.