A stubby Jeep rumbles past, laden with freshly shot pheasant, and a red kite circles overhead.
It is a quintessentially English scene, but rake the surface and the embers of a fierce row spark into life. On one side, local people determined not to lose an 800-yearold pub; on the other, a magic amulet-toting, born-again Christian broadcasting alt-right views to the world from its environs.
It is safe to say that Russell Brand is not wildly popular in the tiny village of Pishill, where he has applied for planning permission to change the use of outbuildings of its former pub into studios to produce his broadcasts.
"He's a scoundrel, it's as simple as that," says one resident. "I can't stand the man".
That sentiment, in more or less polite formations, was echoed in Pishill this week, where residents are anxiously waiting to see if the South Oxfordshire district council will approve Brand's latest planning application today.
This story is from the October 25, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 25, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Senior bankers to get bonuses years earlier under new rules
Senior UK bankers will receive their bonuses years earlier under plans by the Bank of England to relax post-financial crisis restrictions.
Romania Pro-Russian's presidential bid troubles Europe
After an upset in the first of three crunch votes that could lead to Romania veering towards a more anti-EU, pro-Russian stance, the country will return to the polls on Sunday for a parliamentary ballot followed, on 8 December, by a presidential runoff.
They were children who looked like me' Netflix show recounts Rio police killings
Netflix show recounts Rio police killings
Ukraine suffers power cuts after Russia launches its biggest drone attack yet
Russia launched its biggest ever drone attack on Ukraine on Monday night and yesterday morning, sending a reported 188 drones into the country against various targets, resulting in power cuts in part of western Ukraine and damage to residential buildings outside Kyiv.
Disenchanted youth hold key to Namibian presidential election
Namibians are going to the polls with the longtime ruling party's parliamentary majority under threat if dissatisfied young people turn out in big numbers amid a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment globally.
Seven dead as Khan supporters battle police in Pakistani capital
At least seven people were killed and dozens injured as thousands of supporters of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan forced their way through security barriers and entered Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, yesterday morning.
Influencers need 'urgent' training on fact-checking, says Unesco
Social media influencers need urgent help to check their facts before they broadcast to their followers, in order to reduce the spread of misinformation online, Unesco has warned.
America's fentanyl epidemic Is Chinese supply responsible for the crisis?
Donald Trump's announcement that he will impose a 25% duty on all goods from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% duty on China, on top of existing duties, was perhaps to be expected.
US politics Rivalries break out ahead of inauguration
Internal rivalries in Donald Trump's team have spilled into public view with Boris Epshteyn, a top adviser to Trump, being accused of asking potential administration nominees to pay fees in exchange for promoting them to the president-elect.
Canada Trudeau calls emergency talks to discuss threat to exports
Justin Trudeau has called an emergency meeting with provincial premiers across Canada after the US president-elect, Donald Trump, threatened a 25% tariff on imports from the United States' northern neighbour and largest trading partner.
