I was forced to live in a campervan with my dog after my husband’s shock death – but going on TV turned my life around
AN ESCAPE to the Country Star was forced to live in a campervan with her dog after a tragic event befell her before she found her forever home with the help of presenter Ginny Buckley.
The BBC show helped grieving widow Bev find a new home in Carmarthenshire, Wales after she was pushed to sell the home she shared with her late husband.
Accompanied by her son Joe and the BBC host, house hunter Bev from Bordon, Hampshire, was on a mission to find her dream home following the tragic death of her husband.
Bev, who had a budget of £450K, was looking for a new home with two bedrooms, lots of space outside to keep her campervan, and an extra building.
During the episode, the house hunter explained her situation to the Escape to the Country host.
Bev said: “This is where I currently live, in my campervan. I sold my house in February, so I’m now looking for somewhere else to go.
“My husband and I always wanted to have a nice place to move on to as our forever home, but unfortunately, he died last year, so now it’s just me and Indie (the dog).”
Bev added that it was important to her that her new home had a spacious driveway for the campervan.
She intended to keep the van even after she had a proper brick-and-mortar house to call home.
She added: “It just has this really light, open feel, and it’s so beautifully quiet. I am apprehensive slightly, I’m used to having my husband there, who would see the things I don’t always see.
“So this will be the first house that I actually see myself and decide on, so that’s quite a big move.”
The first house the trio visited was near Llansadwrn village, and immediately, they all agreed they liked it so much they dubbed it “fabulous.”
The two-bedroom Victorian cottage was priced at £450K, and Bev thought it was perfect.
The second property they viewed close to Llanarthney village was an old farmhouse from around 1860 with lots of land and a breathtaking view.
Despite being within budget, the home didn’t tug at Bev’s heartstrings like the first property.
Last but not least favourable was the £425k mystery house in the heart of Cynwyl Elfed village.
The house hunter wasn’t too sure about the tight-knit community village but seemed to like the character and light in the detached four-bedroom property.
Despite the land being smaller than she’d wished for, the river streaming past at the end of the large garden was a bonus, but Bev wasn’t convinced that it could be her forever home.
As the Carmarthenshire house tour concluded, Bev revealed that she had chosen the first property as it was the only contender that gave her ‘the feeling’.
She expressed to the host: “It’s just the garden, and everything about it was just right for me, I think the house is just the right size for me.
“Having that extra in the outbuilding as well, for the boys to come up (and stay), really works well. And when I get that feeling I have to go with it. I’m going to talk to the estate agent tomorrow.”
Her son Joe added: “My dad would be over the moon, I think he would have been very proud of her.”
In a separate episode, another Escape to the Country house hunter broke down in tears during a property tour after claiming she had psychically connected with one of the houses she viewed.
Host Alistair Appleton was tasked with showing spiritual sauna and spa owner Kicki three impressive houses in the countryside – but only one house won her heart.
Escape to the Country series 24, episode 36, now on BBC iPlayer.