Couple leave home with a pool in France to move closer to family near Scarborough

While the coronavirus pandemic has kept many families apart, Graham and Janet Beevers have ditched the Dordogne for Middle Deepdale to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

The keen golfers originally bought their property in Eymet, France, as a holiday home, before moving there permanently, from Leeds, in 2004.

Janet, 70, said: “We only planned to stay for two years, but it turned into 16.

“We enjoyed the lifestyle, the wine and the weather and made many English and French friends.

“However, after chatting with family, we thought long and hard about moving back to Yorkshire.”

The couple has now settled into a four-bedroom home at Linden Homes’ Cayton Reach development in Middle Deepdale, near Scarborough, just a few miles from one of their daughters and Janet’s sister.

Janet, whose mum owned a bed-and-breakfast in Scarborough, has fond memories of the coastal resort and says it is comforting to be “home” and close to their three daughters and nine grandchildren.

She said: “We thought buying a new home from overseas – as well as the pandemic restrictions on travel – might be challenging, but the experience has been very smooth.”

After studying the Cayton Reach development plans online, the couple selected their preferred plot and Janet’s sister Lisa and daughter Helen were able to visit and view the home on their behalf; sending videos to Janet and Graham in France.

Graham, 71, said: “The first time we saw the house was when we moved in a few weeks ago and we were amazed at how spacious it actually was.

“We have enough room for visitors, family and grandchildren to stay – once government restrictions are lifted – as well as using some of the space for a study area.”

Linden Homes also fitted handrails into the home to assist Janet – who missed out on post-surgery physiotherapy due to the pandemic – with her mobility in climbing the stairs.

Homes at the Cayton Reach development start from £178,950.