Vicar has pizza plan for his new patch

Hucclecote’s new vicar, the Revd Mark Close has a passion for building and supporting community and has a creative plan to help him get to know his neighbours.

This handy priest is starting a project to build his own pizza oven and hopes it will be up and running by the autumn.

Mark said: “I am looking forward to getting to know the community here in Hucclecote and cooking a few pizzas along the way.”

Mark, his wife Amy, his children Archie, 3 and Mabel 1 and their two cats Panda and Mouse have moved to Gloucester from Trull, near Taunton, where Mark worked as a curate.

A pizza oven is not the only DIY that Mark has turned his hand to – work and children permitting, he loves to get out on the water in his own hand-built canoe.

Mark said: “I am really excited to be here as part of the community in Hucclecote, and to be working with the church here to continue to share the love of Christ with everyone. We believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives and communities, and that only through faith in Jesus can we have life in all its fullness.”

Mark started his new role as Vicar of the parish of Hucclecote, St Philip and St James on 24 July.