George Clooney and wife Amal Alamuddin welcomed to 'new home' in Berkshire village
Residents of a small Thameside village today promised George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin Clooney a “friendly welcome”, following reports that the newlyweds have bought a home in the area.
Villagers in Sonning, Berkshire, spoke of their excitement over rumours that the Hollywood actor and the human rights lawyer had bought a £10 million Grade II-listed manor house on the river.
Reverend Jamie Taylor, the vicar of Sonning, said he had been inundated with calls from American news outlets overnight.
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin get married in Venice
He said: “From what we’ve heard they’re here or have been... there’s a lot of excitement. There are a few well known people in the area and their privacy is respected and I hope it would be the same for them.
“If they want to get involved in village life then they’ll find a friendly welcome.
“I haven’t seen the happy couple and it hasn’t actually been verified, it’s just a rumour.”
The couple, who got married in Venice last month, were reportedly spotted in The Bull Inn, a 16th-century pub, on Saturday night, fuelling speculation that they were moving to the village.
Landlady Christine Mason admitted that there was “a little bit of a buzz” among residents. “People are sort of wandering around, we’ve got press all over the place and it’s getting a bit hectic,” she said. The nine-bedroom house which the couple have reportedly bought has a library, gym, spa, steam room, cellar, boathouse and a cottage for guests or staff. It is set in four acres surrounded by trees and gardens.
The village also boasts the Mill at Sonning, which describes itself as “the only dinner theatre in the United Kingdom”. Famous residents in the area include Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, Michael Parkinson, illusionist Uri Geller and Home Secretary Theresa May.
