BBC presenter Sara Cox often finds herself in the headlines, but what isn’t talked about as much is the colourful countryside existence she led — from childhood to now.
BBC star Sara Cox is currently on her 135-mile run for Children in Need — a five-day fundraising marathon event that will see the presenter cover four counties on foot to raise money for children affected by a range of issues and challenges.
The popular broadcaster often finds herself in the headlines, whether it’s to do with her romantic life or her professional career. But what isn’t talked about too much is the colourful countryside existence she led when she was younger.
Having grown up on her dad’s beef farm in the Little Lever in Bolton, Sara and her four siblings were always up to something or the other. From her brothers breeding mice and rabbits to sell to the pet shop to Sara riding her horse and all the adventures she would get up to with the animals on the farm — she had an enchanting life whilst living on her father’s farm as a youngster.
The 50-year-old lives in north London now with her husband, Ben Cyzer, and their children Isaac, 17, Renee, 15, and 21-year-old Lola, her daughter from her first marriage to DJ Jon Carter. Sara’s modelling career began at 19 and at 21, she landed her first television presenting gig. There was no looking back for the star as she was catapulted to fame. Now a mainstay on television screens and as the host of BBC Radio 2’s drivetime show — not much is known about the ‘country-living’ chapter of Sara’s life.
In a 2020 interview with the Guardian, Sara gave fans a rare glimpse into her childhood, saying: “The farm life, the space, the muck, I absolutely loved it – it was like having your own kingdom. And I loved playing in the barn. When my parents split up and I lived with my mum, who eventually ran a pub with my stepdad, I’d still go to the farm and ride my horse.”
Calling herself “very much my father’s daughter” while speaking to HouseBeautiful, the BBC star said: “The farm was cold, apart from when the fire was lit. If we got to minus 10, we might have the fire lit, but if not, we put on a jumper. To be fair, I’m a bit like that now. I’m very much my father’s daughter. There were lots of coming and going on the farm — vets arriving, people helping out with haymaking, friends coming up.”
However everything isn’t always peaceful on the farm when it comes to living in the countryside — and Sara’s father’s farm was no exception. In 2019, Grundy Fold Farm, owned by Leonard Cox, 85, was targeted by arsonists as they set fire to haylage (fermented hay bales) outside the famed Bolton property.
Sara condemned the ‘gang of young idiots’ on social media following the incident as she wrote: “Huge thanks to @FireBolton crew for helping my dad when a gang of young idiots set fire to his haylage, destroying it. Farms aren’t playgrounds for bored kids – police haven’t been able to help, struggling to find a solution. Just want my dad and his property kept safe.”
This wasn’t the first time Sara was struck by tragedy involving fire in her childhood town. Back in 2003, Sara’s beloved childhood horse, 26-year-old Gus, suffered horrific burns after an arsonist set fire to the stables.
The arsonist reportedly poured petrol over the horse’s blanket before setting it on fire. Tragically, Gus suffered horrible burns down one side of his body and was badly disfigured in the fire, even losing an eyelid and the tip of his ears. Complications while healing eventually led to the horse being put down.
In July this year, Sara’s childhood farm was once again the target of a series of attacks, as youths reportedly caused criminal damage to the property. At the time, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to multiple incidents at Grundy Fold as trouble flared up during evenings and at weekends.
A GMP spokesperson said at the time: “We have had a number of reports regarding youths causing criminal damage at Grundy Fold farm in the evenings and weekends. We would like to nip this in the bud before the summer holidays. If you are aware that your child hangs around this location then please discourage them. Further patrols will be made around the farm due to the remoteness and vulnerability of the location.”
Source: Mirror
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