STAFF, volunteers and council representatives gathered in Bedford Square, Tavistock, last week to celebrate the launch of new buses for two transport charities. Tavistock Community Transport Association (TCTA) and Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) received financial support from Devon County Council through a grant from the Department of Transport's Sustaining Community Transport fund, and along with their own fundraising were each able to purchase new buses. TCTA was able to buy a low floor access community bus and TASS a minibus to replace one that had to be scrapped earlier in the year. At the launch visitors, including West Devon mayor Bill Cann and his wife Christine, Devon county councillor and leader of West Devon Borough Council Philip Sanders and Devon county councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis, had a chance to look round the new vehicles. TCTA chairman Douglas Humphrey was pleased with the new bus. He said: 'It's like going from Henry Ford to Rolls Royce!' Mayor of West Devon Cllr Bill Cann praised the volunteer drivers of the two charities: 'Without the drivers there would be no service. The hours they have put in over the years is a real achievement, and the services are a real lifeline to people in Tavistock and the district. 'The buses are fantastic and for them to have raised so much money towards them is brilliant. The spin-off from services like these is that people are able to come and shop in Tavistock. 'We've got to do everything we can to make the town centre vibrant.' Cllr Philip Sanders also praised the charities. He said: 'They are absolute stars in the county — streets ahead in Devon in the services that they provide.' Cllr Debo Sellis said: 'I am absolutely thrilled to be able to celebrate the launch. 'This is a testament to the volunteers in our community to be able to work together. 'As a councillor I will continue lobbying for funding for rural areas. Clearly these services are critical for peoples' independence generally, and especially for people in rural areas.' The charities are always on the look out for more volunteers to help them deliver the services. Anyone interested can find out more information by contacting TASS on 01822 616958 or http://www.tasstavistock.org.uk">www.tasstavistock.org.uk or TCTA on 07580 260683 or http://www.tavistockcountrybus.co.uk">www.tavistockcountrybus.co.uk