A "generous" British actor has pledged some money to help secure a home for Ukrainian refugees in an Oxfordshire town.
Committee members at an Oxfordshire County Council Charlotte Coxe Trust meeting on August 22 agreed to enter into a year long tenancy of a building next to Watlington Branch Library in the High Street beginning September 1.
The named local sponsor is understood to be Jeremy Irons, 75, who has starred in films such as the Lion King (1994), and the property in question is a cottage which neighbours the Watlington Library.
READ MORE: New plan to build crocodile house near Oxfordshire town
These were left to the county council for the benefit of the people of Watlington and Mr Irons has since played a hand in renovating the "eyesore" home.
Speaking out at the meeting, council officer Richard Hodby described the investment as a "positive story".
He added: "Until about two years 33 High Street has sat empty, unoccupied and a bit of an eyesore in Watlington’s otherwise very attractive high street."
A Ukrainian family had previously occupied the site up to July 31, slightly in excess of 12 months.
A meeting paper added: "The original plan had been for the council to let the property to Watlington Parish Council (WPC), with it then managing the occupation of the property.
"WPC has decided it does not wish to take on this responsibility.
"A local sponsor has been very generous in funding the renovation of the property and is closely involved with the Watlington Welcome refugee project.
"They have offered to take a tenancy from the council with Watlington Welcome then managing the occupation of the property.
"Ensuring 33 High Street is occupied for another year to Ukrainian refugees is consistent with the council’s policy of providing support to those affected by the war in Ukraine."
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel