KINGSTON IS THE 'BEST IN THE WEST' WINNING THE WESTERN REGION OF THE ''CALOR VILLAGE OF THE YEAR ENGLAND - 2009''
KINGSTON JUDGED CALOR "DEVON VILLAGE OF THE YEAR - 2008"
awarded on the strength of its community activity and enthusiasm
Kingston is an unspoilt village lying between Dartmoor and the sea in the South Hams District (www.southhams.gov.uk) of Devon County Council (www.devon.gov.uk). The population of around 390 adults, ( currently including over 80 children) has stayed much the same for 300 years. Kingston is a working village, less than a third of the population are retired. It is surrounded by working farms and miles of beautiful coastline and estuaries which are havens for birds and wildlife. The parish is in the middle of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the village includes two conservation areas. The National Trust Office for the NT Yealm and Avon Property is based at Scobbiscombe Farm in Kingston. While the village has neither school nor shop there is a lively pub (the Dolphin Inn) and a thriving community with numerous activities to suit everyone. St James the Less Parish Church boasts an active bell ringing team. The Youth Club prospers on a Wednesday evening. The Short Mat Bowls, (with a team in the first division of the South Hams League), meets on Mondays and Fridays. The Kingston Branch of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service celebrated its 60th year in the village in 2009. It is one of the country's very few volunteer Fire Brigades, highly trained and often called out to a "shout" in their state of the art Mercedes fire-fighting vehicle - a far cry from Trumpton. When the big city beckons, both Plymouth and Exeter are less than an hour away. The market towns of Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and Totnes are even nearer.
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Kingston held the title of 'Devon Calor Village of the Year' for 2008/9. In April 2009 it won the 'Western Region of the Calor Village of the Year, England' competition. Kingston also won the Community Category prize for the Western Region. We were one of only five villages in the national final, but lost to the small town of Kirkby Stephen.
The independent judges were looking for “Well balanced, pro-active, caring village communities which, irrespective of size, are making the best of local opportunities in order to enhance and sustain a better quality of life for all inhabitants.” They certainly found that in Kingston.
See http://www.calorvillageoftheyear.org/england/winners-2009/kingston.html for the comments on the Calor website.
This website gives further information much of which is regularly updated.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings can be accessed by using the 'Kingston Parish Council' tab on the left.
Each month you can see 'What's On' and read the 'Parish Newsletter'.
Check out the month's bookings for the Reading Room (our village hall) under 'Community Amenities' and read the 'Diary Articles' to find out what is happening in the village. These also appear in the local press.
The' Parish Plan' is available and a regularly updated progress report on its implementation. 'Energy Saving Tips' helps you to save money and Kingston to reduce its carbon footprint. Are you up to date with changes in the law on light bulbs and batteries? What happens to your recycled waste? Check it all out here.
Kingston residents are determined to provide good quality facilities and amenities for our children and young people, who are the future of our village. 'Active Kingston' is the community group which is leading on the development of new and exciting play areas on the village playing field. Over 55 thousand pounds has already been raised to fund this project, through grants and village fund raising activities. That is not yet enough, so can you help? Check out the 'Active Kingston' tab
HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL Please help - see under 'Noticeboard'
Other 'tabs' point you to further useful information about the village of Kingston
'Accommodation and Local Businesses'. If you are visiting the village why not check out local products and services planned to make your holiday even more relaxing and enjoyable?
'Walking in Kingston' holds information on the network of public and permissive paths in the parish and NEW downloadable copies of 3 leaflets describing 6 circular walks around our beautiful village and its surrounding countryside, including sections of the Southwest Coastal Footpath. These leaflets can also be picked up from the Dolphin Inn and St James the Less Parish Church in Kingston. Large print versions are available on request from the Dolphin. This tab also carries regularly updated information on the Yealm and Avon National Trust property, much of which is located within the parish. Are you a keen wildlife spotter? Tell us what you have seen through this tab.
Please contact the Parish Clerk with any questions and/or comments.