Latest news with #BenPearson
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
British couple in their 30s buy entire French 'village' in tourist hotspot for just £67,000 after quitting the rat race
A British couple quit the rat race and bought a French 'village' for just £67,000 - so they can retire and have a 'peaceful life'. Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband, Nathan, 31, had always dreamed of moving to France and stumbled across the abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros. When they started seriously looking to buy two years ago the property came on the market and the couple were able to purchase the 'village' - which comes with five outbuildings and two hectares of land. They have spent the last two years going through paperwork but finally got the keys in December 2024. Currently the property - which dates back to the 1600s - has no toilet or heating but Ben plans to transform it into a three-bed home all by himself. They hope to eventually turn the outbuildings into Airbnb 's and guesthouses. Ben, a RAF aircraft engineer, from Hull, East Yorkshire, said: 'It's getting out of the 9 to 5 rat race in England. 'There is no way we could afford something like that in the UK. You can barely buy a flat for €80k. Currently the property - which dates back to the 1600s - has no toilet or heating but Ben plans to transform it into a three-bed home all by himself 'It's a nicer way of life - there is no running around. It will be a peaceful life and no stress - once it is built.' Nathan, an English tutor, said: 'When we dreamed of a simpler life, we somehow ended up buying a small village - we wouldn't change it for the world.' Ben's mum, Karen Pearson, 62, moved out to France 10 years ago and the couple stumbled across the farm in her village seven years ago. They loved the house but were not ready to move. Three years ago they started searching for their dream retirement home and initially couldn't find anything but when the farmhouse came back on the market they couldn't believe it. They put in an offer in February 2022 which was accepted but have spent the last two years 'on tender hooks' while the paperwork was sorted. They sold up everything in the UK and are now moving in July to start work on their home. Nathan said: 'It's the oldest property in the little commune. The main house is early 1800s and the farmhouse is 1600s. 'There were old pots and pans, mason jars all left on the shelves.' Ben said: 'It had never been modernised. There is one tap, no toilet. No heating - apart from an open fire.' Ben is retiring in July and the pair will move out to France to start work on the main house. It will need a new roof, septic tank and heating put in. They hope to have a liveable room within six months and will live in a caravan while working. They plan to restore the home in keeping with its history - and even hope to frame some of the old contracts they have found. Nathan said: 'We want to keep the grandeur of it all.' The couple have £100k saved to start with the restoration work but are under no delusion that it will likely cost a lot more. But they can't wait to move and get out of the UK. Nathan said: 'Even when you go to the nearest town the people are friendly and welcoming. 'There is the perception that the French are snobbish but it's the opposite..' Ben said: 'This is the sort of thing we'd been looking for. We never dreamed it would come true.'
The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
We quit rat race to buy entire VILLAGE worth just £67,000 in holiday hotspot – now we'll rake in £1,000s from Airbnb
A BRITISH couple have packed in the 9 to 5 and bought themselves a whole village in France — all for just £67,000. Ben Pearson, 39, and his partner Nathan, 31, struck gold when they bought a rural French property for just £67,000. 5 5 5 The deal included a 17th-century farmhouse, five outbuildings and two hectares of land — more than they ever imagined owning. The couple first discovered the tucked-away treasure while visiting Ben's mum, Karen Pearson, 62, who moved to the same French village over a decade ago. They loved the charming, timeworn property as soon as they saw it seven years ago, but at the time, weren't quite ready to make the leap abroad. Three years ago, they started seriously looking for a retirement escape. To their shock, the farmhouse came back on the market. Ben, an RAF aircraft engineer, said: 'It was like fate. We had looked everywhere and just couldn't find anything like it. "When we saw it was up for sale again, we couldn't believe it.' They put in an offer in February 2022, which was accepted, but the deal took two years to finalise due to complex French property paperwork. The couple finally got the keys in December 2024, and are now preparing to move out permanently in July. The site is full of rustic charm — but needs serious work. We ditched the UK and bought a 200-year-old French village for just £22k The house has no toilet, heating or even running water beyond a single tap. 'There's no way we could ever afford this in the UK,' Ben said. 'You can barely get a one-bed flat for £80k back home. "Over here, we've got land, buildings, peace and a real chance to build something special.' Ben is retiring from the RAF this summer and plans to take on the renovation himself, converting the main farmhouse into a three-bed home. In the meantime, the couple will live in a caravan on the land while getting a liveable room finished within six months. The house, which dates back to the 1600s, has never been modernised. Old pots, mason jars and paperwork were still on the shelves when they moved in. Nathan said: 'It's the oldest property in the little commune. "The main house is from the early 1800s, but the farmhouse is even older. 'There's a real sense of history. "We're planning to frame some of the old documents we found — like the original land contracts.' They hope to restore the property in a way that preserves its heritage — and eventually convert the outbuildings into Airbnbs or guest houses. 'We're not under any illusions — we know it's going to cost more than we've saved,' Nathan said. 'But it's the lifestyle we want.' The couple have set aside £100,000 to start the restoration but admit it'll be a long-term labour of love. Ben added: 'We want to do it all properly — new roof, new septic tank, heating, everything. But we'll keep the soul of the place.' Despite the challenges, they say the move is the best decision they've made. 'There's no running around, no stress,' Ben said. 'It'll be a peaceful life. That's all we want.' Nathan, an English tutor, agreed: 'Even when you go into the nearest town, people are lovely and welcoming. "There's this myth that the French are standoffish — we've found the complete opposite.' The couple have documented their journey from Yorkshire to the French countryside on social media — and are already inspiring others to follow their dreams. Nathan said: 'We came here dreaming of a quieter life. "Somehow, we ended up buying a village. We wouldn't change a thing.' 5 5
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Couple buy French 'village' for €80,000 - 'cheaper than a flat in UK'
Couple buy French 'village' for €80,000 - 'cheaper than a flat in UK' They said it was all about escaping the 9 to 5 in England Nathan in the French 'village' they bought (Image: Ben Pearson/SWNS ) A British couple quit the rat race and bought a French 'village' for just €80k - so they can retire and have a "peaceful life". Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband, Nathan, 31, had always dreamed of moving to France and stumbled across the abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros. When they started seriously looking to buy two years ago the property came on the market and the couple were able to purchase the 'village' - which comes with five outbuildings and two hectares of land. They have spent the last two years going through paperwork, but finally got the keys in December 2024. Currently the property - which dates back to the 1600s - has no toilet or heating but Ben plans to transform it into a three-bed home all by himself. They hope to eventually turn the outbuildings into Airbnb's and guesthouses. Ben, a RAF aircraft engineer, from Hull, East Yorkshire, said: "It's getting out of the 9 to 5 rat race in England. There is no way we could afford something like that in the UK. "You can barely buy a flat for £80k. It's a nicer way of life - there is no running around. It will be a peaceful life and no stress - once it is built." Nathan, an English tutor, said: "When we dreamed of a simpler life, we somehow ended up buying a small village - we wouldn't change it for the world." Article continues below Ben Pearson (right) and his husband Nathan (Image: Ben Pearson/SWNS ) Ben's mum, Karen Pearson, 62, moved out to France 10 years ago and the couple stumbled across the farm in her village seven years ago. They loved the house, but were not ready to move. Three years ago, they started searching for their dream retirement home and initially couldn't find anything, but when the farmhouse came back on the market, they couldn't believe it. They put in an offer in February 2022, which was accepted, but have spent the last two years "on tenterhooks" while the paperwork was sorted. They sold up everything in the UK and are now moving in July to start work on their home. Nathan said: "It's the oldest property in the little commune. The main house is early 1800s and the farmhouse is 1600s. There were old pots and pans, mason jars all left on the shelves." Inside one of the buildings (Image: Ben Pearson/SWNS ) Ben said: "It had never been modernised. There is one tap, no toilet. No heating - apart from an open fire." Ben is finishing work in July and the pair will move out to France to start work on the main house. It will need a new roof, septic tank and heating put in. They hope to have a liveable room within six months and will live in a caravan while working. They plan to restore the home in keeping with its history - and even hope to frame some of the old contracts they have found. Nathan said: "We want to keep the grandeur of it all." Ben Pearson and his husband Nathan's French 'village' (Image: Ben Pearson/SWNS ) The couple have £100,000 saved to start with the restoration work, but are under no illusion that it will likely cost a lot more. But they can't wait to move and get out of the UK. Nathan said: "Even when you go to the nearest town, the people are friendly and welcoming. There is the perception that the French are snobbish, but it's the opposite." Article continues below Ben said: "This is the sort of thing we'd been looking for. We never dreamed it would come true." Follow @frenchfarmhouserenowithwine on Instagram and YouTube.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- BBC News
Ross on Wye man jailed for 16 years after raping woman
A man who "preyed on potential victims" before raping a woman has been jailed for 16 Ogur, of Brookend Street in Ross on Wye, was found guilty after a trial at Worcester Crown Court and sentenced on investigation started after a woman was raped near Three Crosses Road and Springfield Road in Ross on Wye in the early hours of 21 July last said CCTV showed the 24-year-old preying on others before the attack and witnesses described how he used Google translate on his phone to tell them, "I want to make love to you". Ogur was arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault four days Mercia Police said when officers entered his home, they discovered him in the shower, having shaved his hair in an attempt to change his appearance and evade being recognised as the CID Det Insp Ben Pearson said: "It takes such bravery to first report and then talk about such a horrific experience, and I commend the victim, who has shown incredible strength and courage throughout the investigation and trial. "I understand that nothing will ever take away the pain and suffering from such an experience."He added: "I am pleased with the sentencing given to Ogur yesterday. I'm unsure if a person capable of such an evil crime would reflect on the harm he has caused an innocent person, but I do know Ogur is a dangerous individual who will thankfully no longer be amongst our community for some time."Following his sentence in prison, the 24-year-old will remain on extended licence for eight years and be subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Coventry City vs Stoke City LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Coventry City face Stoke City in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season. Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford. Follow live updates from today's game in the live blog below. Coventry City vs Stoke City Bobby Thomas (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8 March 2025 12:41 Coventry City vs Stoke City Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Ben Wilmot. 8 March 2025 12:39 Coventry City vs Stoke City Attempt blocked. Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 8 March 2025 12:38 Coventry City vs Stoke City Foul by Ben Pearson (Stoke City). 8 March 2025 12:37 Coventry City vs Stoke City Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Oliver Dovin. 8 March 2025 12:35 Coventry City vs Stoke City Attempt saved. Lewis Koumas (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ben Pearson with a through ball. 8 March 2025 12:35 Coventry City vs Stoke City Offside, Stoke City. Ali Al-Hamadi is caught offside. 8 March 2025 12:34 Coventry City vs Stoke City Offside, Coventry City. Ellis Simms is caught offside. 8 March 2025 12:30 Coventry City vs Stoke City First Half begins. 8 March 2025 12:30 Coventry City vs Stoke City Lineups are announced and players are warming up. 8 March 2025 11:35
