years and you've never picked up the phone ?

Ignore that supercillious old perv in shorts on ice. I don't work for Hants but think all F & R services will be suffering as result of Local government spending cutbacks. Easiest way to ease up on the expenditure is cutting down recruitment I'm afraid. That's the story up here anyway... good luck.

dunno about hants but we arent recruiting for at least five years

I haven't picked up the phone because the site states specifically in bold letters - Please do not telephone for further information or an application pack.

see here for your slice of humble pie
http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/careerstraining/recruitment/currentvacancies.htm

It's something I'd like to do and would definitely go for it if they were recruiting but as above it would seem there are no/haven't been any vacancies for a long time 🙁

Must be that rare thing called job satisfaction. (oh and spending cuts)

Here in Dorset they don't advertise very often, the same with the police.
Are you near to a retained station? It can be a good starting point to entry.

As above, why not visit your local station and speak to the Watch Commander?

Depends on your definition of close - I'm within easy drive of a retained station that is recruiting, and I was thinking of trying it out although it would be quite difficult to fit around my full time job.

Even if there were vacanices is 31 a bit too old?

Speak to your boss at work, most are flexiable if they know your doing something worthwhile such as being a retained fire fighter.
Drill night will be one night a week which you get paid for and then call outs as and when.
31 isn't too old at all, just get on and do it.