Baden Hickman, the churches correspondent of the Guardian, is leaving

the paper after almost 25 years to join an ecumenical Christian radio station broadcasting to the Third World, based on an island in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Mr Hickman, 413, started in journalism in 1947 and expects to reach the island of Mahe with his wife and two children by Easter.
DIOCESE OF HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE
The following have been appointed Parish Priests: Rev Joaeph McDonald to Our Lady arid St Thomas, Willington. Rev Anthony Owens to St Bede's. Newcastle. Rev Brian Melia to Immaculate Heart of Mary, West Monkseaton. Rev Dennis Andersont to Sacred Heart and St Cuthbert, Amble. Rev Henry Ryan to St Mary's, • Newton Aycliffe. Rev Patrick Kennedy to St Joseph's, Newton Aycliffe. Rev Peter Smith to St. Patrick's, Consett. Rev Patrick, O'Connell to Si Joseph's, Newcastle. Rev Francis Robson to St John Boste, Washington. The following have been appointed Assistant Priests. Rev Gerard Joyce to Sr Mary's, Blackhill Rev Adrian McLeish to St Hilda's, Sunderland. Rev Kevin Cummins to St Cuthbert's, Newcastle. Rev Vincent McArdle to St Augustine's, Felling.: Rev Denis Kellett to St Oswald's,: Wrekenton.