Some historical notes

The Parish Council was formed under the local Government Act of 1894 – “The Parish Council Act”, the election was held on the 19th December 1894 and 19 people stood for the ten places. Top of the poll was George Casey of The Priory with 07 votes. Thomas Avis was also returned with 92 votes just behind the local vicar the Rev. Frederick Walker. The first agenda concerned the “Great Western Railway Company which were preparing a Parliamentary Bill to take over part of the creek and the Council decided to try to come to a friendly agreement on the matter instead of opposing the Bill from the outset. The Chairman subsequently met representatives of the railway and asked for a landing place on the jetty near the pontoon, a footbridge across the line to the river and a footbridge across the creek to Hoodown ferry.

In November 1898 the Post Office proposed that the last collection of post be at 8.15pm so that it could catch the train leaving at 8.30pm.

In July 1902 it was reported that people were bathing on Lighthouse Beach without bathing drawers on. “This was very indecent and a great nuisance to females”. The police constable was dispatched to investigate but did not catch anyone. It was decided that it was probably visitors who were responsible. There were more reports of nude bathing in 1905.

At that time the Kingswear Cemetery had a mortuary and in May 1901 the Clerk had to write to the neighbouring parishes pointing out “that in the case of a body found drowned in the waters adjacent to their foreshore they will have to bury the body if the Parish Council allows the body to be taken to the Kingswear mortuary for the inquest”.

In September 1902 the Council decided to install some street lighting and received bids from the Acetylene Light Company and the Urban Electric Light Company of Dartmouth. The latter offer was favoured and 17 lamps of 25 candlepower each were ordered. The following year the Brixham Gas Works applied for permission to supply gas to Kingswear presumably for street lighting but this was declined. If anyone wonders why Kingswear does not have a gas supply – blame the Parish Council (of 1903).

The Council received the income from the Peter’s and Kelly’s charities, which produced £1 each every year. In 1907 2s-0d was given to 20 poor residents, 10 men and 10 women, including all five residents of the Alms Houses.

As they were required to insure their employees under the new Compensation Act the Parish Council reduced its part time employees to one full time person. He was paid 18s per week with the Council paying house rent, rates and taxes and also providing his tools. His time was divided two days on the water supply, two days rubbish collection and two days on cemetery and other parish council tasks. A separate person was employed on the road contract for Totnes Rural District Council and others to man the fire engine. The fire ladder owned by the Parish Council was to be kept in the Trust Room.

In 1908 the Kingswear Parish Council agreed to the postman’s request that one evening delivery each week be dropped so that he could have a half day holiday, however the Post Office itself would not allow it. In 1910 the Kingswear Post Office opening hours were shortened to 8am to 8pm.