Homeland star Rupert Friend backs campaign to save Oxfordshire pub

Rupert Friend, who plays CIA operative Peter Quinn in Homeland, heard about the campaign through his mother, Caroline, who still lives in Stonesfield, West Oxfordshire.

Mr Friend, 39, grew up in the village and is now one of over 260 people to buy shares in The White Horse.

The shares offer has seen campaigners hit the £300,000 mark, with the target £480,000.

Read again: Shares offer launched to save village’s last pub

Mr Friend, who also starred in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and dated Keira Knightley for five years, said: “The Stonesfield pub, indeed the pub in any rural community, is a vital part of village life.

“A place to share news, jokes and opinions, it’s like Facebook but your community is actual, not virtual.

“And there’s often pickled eggs, which are endangered and should be encouraged.

“I hope folks help bring this, the last pub remaining from the seven that used to be in Stonesfield, back to life and that the young folks know what’s good for them.”

Mr Friend joined political thriller series Homeland for its second season, becoming a central character in the Emmy and Golden Globe winning programme.

Witney MP Robert Courts has also recently pledged his support to the campaign.

He said: “The White Horse has been an important community asset and I will continue to work closely with the village as we explore all options to provide a future for the pub.

“This is a campaign which I wholeheartedly support.”

In October, the community share sale for The White Horse was launched, amid fears that the pub could be sold to developers and lost forever.

Shares can be bought from £50, with the sale closing on November 30.

Campaigners hope that the opportunity to be a shareholder and have a say on the future of the pub will entice buyers.

If successful, the funds raised will be used to buy the pub and refurbish it.

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The pub has been up for sale since the end of July, when the Stonesfield Community Pub steering committee triggered a six-month timeframe to put together a bid as a community, through a disposal notice.

Upon the launch of the share sale, Steve Callaghan, chair of the committee, said: “A lot of hard work and countless hours have gone into preparing this community share offer and the plan for the future of the pub that sits behind it.

“We’ve achieved the share standard mark, which is a significant accolade, indicating that our proposal meets the standards of good practice.”

To find out more about the venture, visit: backthewhitehorse.com