A campaign to save a village pub in the county has received financial backing from Australia.

Residents of Cuxham village, in Easington, want to buy the Half Moon, which closed in September and is now on sale for £350,000.

Villagers received financial backing from resident Joan Barker’s extended family in Perth and Sydney, Australia.

The 82-year-old said: “The Half Moon has been an important part of village life here for centuries. In a small village, you need a hub.”

Four pledges came from Down Under, each totalling £200. That goes alongside the £50,000 already pledged by villagers, with more promised.

Tom Davies, chief executive of former owners Brakspear, said the pub shut as it was not “financially viable.”

It was listed as an asset of community value by South Oxfordshire District Council and the village group have until March 24 to raise the funds needed to buy it. It aims to make £200,000 by offering residents shares, with the rest via a loan or grant.

 

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