The newest member of Cringleford church has spoken of how she is hoping to help inspire more community spirit in the newer part of the village.

The Rev Heather Cracknell, a 34-year-old University of East Anglia graduate, became the curate at St Peter's Church in July after three years based in Horsford.

She has also just become the first pioneer minister in the Norwich diocese, a role which will see her taking the traditional values of the Anglican church out into the community in new ways, particularly in the Round House Park area in which she now lives with husband Paul and their two children.

She said her role as pioneer minister was a response to the changing times and the fact that the traditional formality of church can sometime act as a barrier to some people.

She hopes her work will help boost the feeling of community in the estate being developed next to the original part of Cringleford.

'The fact that all the houses are new in Round House Park means that everybody has moved there in the last few years and there is a great opportunity to build a great community,' she added.

'You talk to people on the estate and they are really keen on doing something, and there is a sense of 'where do we start?' I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone and hearing their views.

'Some of the ideas I have bouncing around at the moment include a quiet meditation group in my living room for people who want to find some space in their busy lives, and perhaps a curry club or a running club.

'The idea is to bring people together and see what develops from there.'

Heather has also set up a Round House Park community page that people can access on Facebook.

To contact Heather email livewell.roundhousepark@gmail.com

Do you have a story from the Cringleford area? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk