BECKERMET ST. BRIDGET'S, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"BECKERMET ST. BRIDGET'S, a parish in the ward of Allerdale-above-Derwent, in the county of Cumberland, 4 miles to the S. of Egrement, and 9 from Whitehaven. It is situated on the sea-coast, on the banks of the small river Calder, and is separated from the parish of Beckermet St. John's by the Kirkbeck rivulet. The land near the sea is extremely fertile, but towards the east, nearer the fells, it is cold and barren. Freestone is quarried in this parish, and there is a small spade manufactory in the village. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Carlisle, value £87, in the patronage of Captain Irwin. The church, which is an ancient structure dedicated to St. Bridget, is situated about half a mile distant from the village of Beckermet, in a lonely spot, and is now only used for marriages and burials, the inhabitants attending service at the new church of St. Bridget, at Calder Bridge, near to which pretty village are the beautiful ruins of Calder Abbey, within the grounds of Captain Irwin. The new schools belonging to the adjoining parish of St. John's, are erected on Beckermet green, and greatly add to the appearance of the village. The parish from east to west, is nearly 8 miles long; its breadth in no part exceeding 1½ mile." "SELLAFIELD, a station in the parish of St. Bridget's Beckermet, on the Whitehaven and Furness Junction railway, for Calderbridge, county Cumberland."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]