Ribchester, Lancashire

Description
Ribchester, an ancient small town, a township, and a parish in Lancashire. The town stands on the river Ribble, 3 miles from Longridge railway station, and 6 1/2 NNW of Blackburn, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Preston. It occupies the site of the Roman station Coccium or Bigodunum; was reached in ancient times by the tide coming up the Ribble; has yielded multitudes of ancient relics, including Roman altars, columns, statues, marbles, coins, and armour, besides anchors and part of a vessel's hull. It was once dependent on handloom weaving, but now has two cotton mills. The township comprises Ribchester proper and the hamlet of Knowie Green. Acreage, 2211; population, 1265. The workhouse, once in the township, has been superseded by a large one nearer Preston, and the premises are used for imbeciles who are not dangerous or need special care. The ancient parish of Ribchester-with-Stydd once contained the townships of Ribchester, Dulton, Hothersall, Alston, and Dilworth. A chapel of ease was built at Longridge for Alston and Dilworth, but these have now been formed into a separate parish. The living is a rectory, united with the vicarage of Stydd, in the diocese of Manchester; value, £250 with residence. Patron, the Bishop. There are two churches-Stydd St Saviour, a very primitive structure, and the parish church, which is also ancient but good, and consists of nave, aisles, chancel, and chapel, with tower, and once had two chantries. The town is much frequented in summer by visitors, who enjoy the sweet air and the beautiful scenery of the neighbourhood.