Now how about this for value for money?

A couple who couldn’t get on the UK property market turned their attention across the Channel and bought an entire French village for £12,000.

So how on earth could this happen?

Well it seems that whilst living in a caravan in Tunbridge Wells, market gardeners Paul Mappley, 47, and Yip Ward, also 47 were offered the chance to buy an end-of-terrace cottage in the French village of La Busliere from some friends who had changed their mind about the property.

It was at this point that the couple saw the potential of snapping up the adjacent buildings all on the verge of disrepair all for a total of €14,000, less than a deposit on a house in the UK. These buildings consisted of six cottages, two barns and a paddock plus a two-storey workshop, cider press and communal bread oven.

Five buildings in the village were completely covered by thick vegetation, and after 45 minutes of clearing the way they found a stone barn.

Later they uncovered three buildings and a well of water, which they hope to use for flushing toilets plus an old bakery. 

There were of course a number of downsides, not least the fact that there was no electricity, and the cubbyhole for the stopcock was home to a snake and a salamander.

The duo now plan to to turn the town into cottage lets and add a glamping site but before then they said they would be “living camping style” whilst “bringing life back to their village.” 

Nevertheless it may be a long time before they can achieve this but they are looking forward to their future life in the village.

For her historical piece this week, Margaret Mills looked back at an unusual army battalion who whilst stationed in Hornchurch back in 1914, staged a special entertainment event involving sword dancing and Scottish reels.

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say about the event and the history of this battalion: –

I look forward to having the pleasure of your company once again next week,
Scott