Bebo tycoon Michael Birch invests in ‘sad state’ Devon village
This article chimes with my latest rural words in looking, in a practical way, what role is (and could) philanthropy play in rural communities. Apparently, the California-based, multi-millionaire (with a net worth of £303 million), former Bebo social networking site mogul, Michael Birch has pumped money into a North Devon village after seeing its “sad state”. Birch said he felt a “need” to transform Woolsery, where his ancestors have lived since 1700.Over the last two years he has bought properties including the village pub, an old hotel and the fish and chip shop: “It was in the saddest state I’d seen the village in my memory…the pub had been closed for a number of years, the manor house had been closed a lot longer… it was knowing that I could do it [help] and knowing that I needed to do it.” And residents have welcomed his support. Sonia Hamilton said people were being put off from moving to Woolsery because of the dilapidated buildings. Residents describe Birch as “down to earth” and a “really nice guy”. “The pub looked awful, the manor was boarded up… with Michael coming in and renovating both buildings, it’s had a feel-good factor in the village.” Robin Edmonds, from Woolsery parish council, said: “It’s as good as winning the lottery because there’s no way that the parish council and local residents could have come together with enough money to make a go of the pub.” Birch has been visiting the village since he was a child, describing how he “love[s] living in America and I love coming here… it’s a great escape….I like bringing my children here and sharing that with them.” Rural words compare philanthropy in the US with the UK, with the overall message being that we can and should do more around meeting the philanthropic needs of rural communities.