The Census records show us the Rev John Grey, Rector of Houghton 1847 – 1895, lived at the Rectory with a whole host of other people including: his wife Helen Grey; a butler; two ladies maids; a housekeeper; a laundry maid; a housemaid; and a kitchen maid. What the Census doesn’t mention is that Rector Grey had a much loved pet, a dog called Bijou. Copyright © Books of the North 2012.

Upon the sad occasion of Bijou’s death in March 1878, Rector Grey had his trusted dog buried in the Rectory grounds, in the corner next to the Church Street and Durham Road crossroads.

A memorial was erected on the small grave and read as follows: Copyright © Books of the North 2012.