[1] The colony could have possibly grown due to pilgrims coming from Ireland and first reaching the safety of Beckery, and then to the important site of pilgrimage in that of Glastonbury Abbey before carrying on their route toward Rome.

It was fed by a stream connected to the River Brue that also powered the Northover mill which was owned by Clarks, Son and Morland, who moved from their old site in Street to the area near to Beckery in 1870.

They say that after Saint Brigid, who had come there in 488 AD, had tarried for some time on the island called Beokery [Beckery] she returned home but left behind certain of her ornaments, namely a bag, necklace, a small bell and weaving implements, which are still preserved in memory of her.’[9] John of Glastonbury also remarked that 'Saint Brigid made a stay of several years on an island near Glastonbury, called Bekery or Little Ireland, where there was an oratory consecrated in honour of Saint Mary Magdalene.

She left there certain signs of her presence—her wallet, collar, bell, and weaving implements, which are exhibited and honoured there because of her holy memory—and she returned to Ireland, where, not much later, she rested in the Lord and was buried in the city of Down.

The chapel on that island is now dedicated in honour of Saint Brigid; on its south side there is an opening through which, according to the belief of the common folk, anyone who passes will receive forgiveness of all his sins.