Volunteers from Kingston Fire Station received recognition from the High Sheriff of Devon Angela Gilbert last month.

Kingston Fire Station is now in its 68th year and is one of only two volunteer stations within Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the other being Lundy Island.

On Saturday, March 18, the volunteers received their awards, along with many other volunteers from across Devon in the Great Hall at Compton Castle near Marldon.

Kingston Volunteers meet for training every Tuesday night for two to three hours. They are managed by watch manager Pete Watts from Modbury Fire Station, and attend each Tuesday to drill at the Modbury station.

There are four volunteer firefighters currently at Kingston – crew manager Paul White, a farmer; firefighter Mike Jarvis, an electrician; firefighter Gordon Case, a farmer and firefighter Matthew Walters, also a farmer.

The main fire risk in the area is agricultural, along with some shops and a caravan park. They support their colleagues within the command area and have a 4x4 appliance capability.

Many local fire stations are desperately trying to recruit new staff. If you feel you would be happy to not only live in our community, but protect it too, then visit your local station, contact them through Facebook, or visit www.dsfire.gov.uk and click on “working for us”.

There are many stations you could apply to join within the South Hams, including Modbury, Kingston, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and Salcombe.