Tycoon in gift to village
A US-based internet tycoon’s plan to regenerate a British village has reached an important milestone – he’s reopening the fish and chip shop and pub.
Cambridgeshire-born Michael Birch, 47, who made his fortune from the Bebo social media website, spent childhood holidays with relatives in Woolsery, North Devon.
Now he’s made it his ambition to breathe new life into the community.
Village pub The Farmers Arms, which closed in 2012, is almost complete with the exterior now totally refurbished.
He said his family ties meant a “huge emotional connection” to the area.