George the dog digs up forgotten family history (From Hereford Times)

George the dog digs up forgotten family history

10:30am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in County By Ian Morris

George the dog

A DOG with enthusiastic digging skills may have helped an Australian family find its roots in Herefordshire.

George, who belongs to the curate of Tarrington , Rev John Watkins, uncovered a gravestone that was laid flat in the Herefordshire village more than 50 years ago and has since become covered in grass.

The gravestone was that of a Richard Bowkett and the discovery came shortly after an Australian family visited Tarrington researching that same name.

“They went away disappointed not to find any gravestones,” explained churchwarden Janette Ward.

“They had discovered from records that Richard was a blind man and had not worked for many years.

“As George uncovered the grave, the following words in the form of a poem appeared: ‘I was but a poor blind man...’ We were amazed at how it all tied together and we are trying to contact the Australian family again.

“We think that they will be thrilled by the discovery that George has made.”

Attempts are now being made to reach the Australian Bowketts through Twitter as their contact details have been lost.

The man named on the tomb has an earlier spelling of the name – Boulchott, not Bowkett.

• A churchyard day will be held in Tarrington from10am on September 8. Organisers are hoping it will lead to the formation of a local history group in the village.