Kingston, Devon

Kingston is a small scattered village in the South Hams, three miles south west of Modbury, in Devon and about a mile from the mouth of the River Erme at Wonwell. It has a small village hall - the Reading Room - that is used regularly for village events. There are several old houses including a number of pleasant thatched cottages. One of the best features of the village is a beach called Westcombe (wis-com).

Fire station

Kingston is home to Devon's only volunteer fire station. It is crewed by locals who operate in the same manner as retained fire service personnel. However, being volunteers, they don't Guarantee availability, they do get paid by the minute when called out. Kingston Fire station was set up in September 1949, just after the water main was laid, Mervyn Freeman has been in charge since his Father, Viv retired in 1992, (family traditions) The crew attend about 30 calls a year, and currently have a unique vehicle, the South Hams only 4 wheel drive fire engine, based on a Mercedes 814DA chassis, built at the Crownhill workshops of the old Devon fire and rescue service in 1998, a far cry from the 15 year old ex Cornwall Land Rover it replaced. see pictures at www.florencethefireengine.co.uk

Since Jan 2008 an additional Volunteer fire unit has been based on Lundy, So Devon And Somerset Fire and Rescue service have 2 such units.See www.dsfire.gov.uk for further details.

Test your smoke alarm, it could save your life!

Churches

St James the Less - a 14th Century church, built of local slate. The Methodist Church has been sold and is currently (July 2007) being converted to accommodation.

Transport

Apart from the school buses which take students to Modbury Primary School and Ivybridge Community College every day, the only public transport is the bus which goes to Plymouth each Friday.