Kingston Local History Society
Discovering and sharing the history of Kingston, a village in the South Hams of Devon, England
We had great weather for our summer excursion to the historic Drake’s Island. A group of 40 members was expertly guided around the Island’s impressive buildings and tunnels. Many layers of history were revealed to us. It was fascinating to see the rusting remnants of 19th century artillery and the complex matrix of tunnels where ammunition was stored.
After a smooth boat ride back to Plymouth we sat down to an enjoyable lunch at the Rockfish restaurant.
KLHS Committee are delighted to confirm the final outing before our summer break.
The visit will take place on the morning of Thursday 27 June, departing from the Barbican Platform at 11 am and returning at about 2 pm. The boat trip is provided by Plymouth Boat Trips. NB There is no disabled access on the Island, and there are no refreshment facilities so you will need to bring with you any drinks and snacks you want. We have made a reservation for lunch at Rockfish at 2.15. We do not need to pre-order but we will need to tell them final numbers nearer the time and they have advised taking a look at their menu online in advance so that we are ready to order on arrival.
The cost of the visit (excluding lunch) is £20 per person and as we will be invoiced in advance it would be helpful if you want to come if you could please send your £20 by bank transfer to the KLHS account:
Kingston Local History Society 30-94-72 00521090 Alternatively, please post the fee in an envelope clearly marked with your name, directly through the Treasurer’s letterbox: Janet Burton at Dolphin Lodge (the cream and green house opposite Yellands). Cash or cheque is acceptable and an email receipt will be sent.
The visit can accommodate up to 40 people so we will have to operate on a first come first served basis. So please confirm by 7 June if you would like to come and if you will want to stay on for lunch.
Find out more about Drake’s Island History here
“Landlord of Modbury Inn declared ‘Temperamental’ !”
“Eli Owens, the landlord of the Modbury Inn, was summoned before the Plymouth Petty Sessions on 10th March 1916 for being drunk on licensed premises – he pleaded guilty. PC Watts said that he visited the Modbury Inn on market day and found the defendant in a drunken condition and rambling about. Mr. Spear, acting on behalf of Mr. Owens, said that the defendant had been suffering from ‘temperamentality’ for some months, and practically one drink now upset him…. Eli Owens was fined ten shillings.”
Excerpt from Modbury Through Time – a History of the Devonshire Town and its People by Helen Charlesworth.
Join us on Thursday 23rd May for the guided Modbury History walk ending at the Modbury Inn where the current landlord Craig (entirely sober!) will be serving lunch.
Meanwhile get up to speed with these three fantastic episodes showing Time Team’s visit to Modbury, where archaeologists uncover thousands of years of fascinating history.
“Modbury Through Time – a History of the Devonshire Town and its People” is a newly published book by Helen Charlesworth comprising a fascinating selection of newspaper articles from the 1700s onwards.
Its pages feature grisly deaths, accidents, disputes and plenty of colourful characters. Kingston appears in several articles, alongside tales from Ringmore, Yealmpton, Aveton Gifford and other nearby villages.
In one Kingston story from 1876 the church choir “fled in horror; having witnessed the ghostly apparition of a dead church minister.”
In another a labourer was fatally crushed by a falling wall – his bones having been “shockingly fractured in almost every part of his body”.
Road traffic accidents are nothing new: In 1889, near Orcheton Mill a horse drawn lime cart ran out of control. ”Twenty-eight year old George Southern ran to lend assistance.. but was dragged under the cart and died from the injuries he received. He left behind a wife and three young children all aged under five.”
The book is not currently available in bookshops, but can be bought online here.
2023 continued the Kingston tradition of Christmas carol singing round the village. KLHS members and other residents assembled by the fire station and progressed around the central part of village, singing their way from corner to corner, knocking on doors and demanding money for charity – with the threat of more carols if generosity was not forthcoming! On being roused by a knock on his door, Viv Freeman requested ‘Silent Night’ – which, he pointed out with a customary wink, meant ‘Go Away!’.
Glasses of sherry and mince pies were provided by generous householders en route. The carol troupe ended up in the Dolphin where, after a final chorus of “We wish you a Merry Christmas!” Leon and Natasha kindly supplied mulled wine and yet more delicious mince pies. This photo from Janet and Colin Burton beautifully captured the atmosphere. of the evening.
Approximately 40 KLHS members sat down for a slap up seasonal meal in the Reading Room yesterday evening. There was a great atmosphere, well lubricated with wine and chatter, as we all tucked into a marvellous roast dinner prepared by Craig from the Modbury Inn, ably assisted by members of his family. Thanks to all who helped organise the event and to Bob Musk for this snap.
Kingston Local History Society