To mind ye living I am gone
He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down.
Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.
THIS is a message from beyond the grave from George Hopper, who lies in an amazing tomb in Barnard Castle churchyard, having died at the tender age of 23 in 1725.
George Hopper's tomb outside St Mary's Church, Barnard Castle. Picture: Johanna Ungemach
The church is currently hosting a festival of art, music and history to commemorate the restoration of its stained glass windows – and George’s tomb will certainly feature in the Gruesome Graveyard tour which is being held on Saturday and Thursday for children, and perhaps in the guided historical tours for adults which are being held every day until July 23.