Litter pickers uncover 18th century grave belonging to possible ancestors of Walt Disney during clear-up of overgrown village churchyard
- A gravestone belonging to members of the Disney family has been discovered
- It was found in the overgrown churchyard St Margaret’s Church, Lincolnshire
- The gravestone, dating back to 1766, is thought be the oldest in the churchyard
Litter pickers were left ‘gobsmacked’ after uncovering a grave belonging to possible ancestors of Walt Disney in an overgrown churchyard.
The plot was discovered by community service workers and church volunteers during a clear up of bushes and brambles at St Margaret’s Church, in Quadring, Lincolnshire, last week.
They uncovered the final resting place of William and Mary Disney and their son Richard, who died in 1766, 1765 and 1779 respectively.
It is believed they were blood relatives of animation pioneer Walt, who always believed his family came from nearby Norton Disney, Lincolnshire.
A team of community service workers and church volunteers, lead by Geoff Reynolds, 65 (pictured) were left ‘gobsmacked’ after uncovering a grave belonging to possible ancestors of Walt Disney
Their gravestone is thought to be the oldest in the historic churchyard.
Church volunteer Geoff Reynolds, 65, said they were left ‘gobsmacked’ by the discovery of the grave, which had been covered in bushes and brambles for decades.
He is now in the process of trying to verify the link and has been told by a historian that, based on geography, it seems ‘very possible’ the names are linked.
The team uncovered the final resting place of William and Mary Disney and their son Richard, who died in 1766, 1765 and 1779 respectively, in the overgrown churchyard of St Margaret’s Church (pictured), in Lincolnshire, last week
Mr Reynolds is now in the process of trying to verify the link between the Disney family on the gravestone with the legendary animator (pictured)
Mr Reynolds, a grandfather-of-two, said: ‘When we saw it was a Disney grave we were all gobsmacked.
‘We understand Walt Disney’s family came from nearby Norton Disney and we are looking into whether there are any ties between him and the names we found on the gravestone.
‘If you accept the Norton Disneys as his ancestors, then there’s a fair chance these are his relatives.
‘I said that it was probably something to do with Walt Disney, and the vicar, the Reverend Ian Walters, said the Disney family had settled in Norton Disney.
‘The churchyard had over numerous years been let go and had become very overgrown.
‘During this clear-up we found numerous graves that had not been seen for quite a lot of time.
‘But this is now the oldest we have uncovered. It is very close to the site of the church, which usually means it is someone quite important.
‘It was perfectly preserved even though covered up.
‘Because of the proximity to Norton Disney, the idea the Disneys from that village could have got down this far wouldn’t be a surprise.’