It may just be the popularity of these surnames in the area but I have a line including Grahams, Sharps and Hodgsons in Cumberland (though I haven't found any in Workington yet). My direct ancestors are John Graham b ~1790 who married Esther Sharp, who I believe was the one baprised 1792 in Bowness (there were rather a lot of Sharps in Bowness around this time). John and Esther married in Gilcrux, later living in Plumbland.
I believe (but haven't yet been able to confirm) that Esther Sharp's parents were Jeremiah Sharp and Mary Hodgson. Incidentally, I believe these Sharps are connected to the Russell family who moved from Cumberland to Birkenhead via a Sarah Sharp from Parsonby, Cumberland. All I know about this family is the fact that Sarah is listed on this chap's family history site:
http://www.cartar.com/families/russell_england/russell_family.htmI thought that might be interesting due to your Birkenhead connection.
I'm still trying to piece the story of my Grahams/Sharps/Hodgsons together and can't quite find the evidence to confirm my theories, so would love to speak to anyone researching the same folk.
JB.