IT was good to see that the main headline on the Okehampton Times front page last week (April 10) read ?Plea for daily train to Exeter?, something which is urgently required.

This is followed by a disappointing opening paragraph in Jane Honey?s article, when she reveals that the managing director of Dartmoor Railway hopes to see such a service within five to ten years. Five to ten weeks would be better. Such a delay is inconceivable when the track is there waiting to be used.

Meanwhile, Western National have published a revised timetable for their bus service between these points. This will no doubt please passengers from Okehampton, as some services will now run more directly than previously with an alternative bus serving the villages.

Buses have regularly called at St David?s Station in Exeter five minutes after leaving the bus station, but they are now being allowed ten minutes for the journey or sometimes 15 minutes. It will be interesting to see whether drivers wait at St David?s to take up the time.

A disturbing feature of the bus service recently is the number of times that scheduled services fail to arrive, and it is to be hoped that with the new timetable they will return to their former reliability.

Geoffrey GillA LIFTON teenager has booked her ticket to compete at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in July.

Lizzie Luxton, 13, qualified her pony Covenham Statesman ? known as Manni ? for the working hunter pony championship at the BSPS show at Tall Trees Arena near Davidstow recently.

The pair produced the only clear round over a course of ten rustic fences in the 14hh class.

Sandy Wevill, Lizzie?s mother, said it was ?an absolute pleasure to watch and a well-deserved win?.

?Lizzie is totally dedicated to her ponies and she?s up every morning before school and rides.

?She is a very talented rider and is totally focussed on becoming a top rider,? Sandy said.

Before going to Hickstead, Lizzie will compete ?Manni? at the Riding Club Team show jumping at Hartpury in Gloucestershire, along with fellow team members of the Mid Devon Junior Riding Club.

She will then go to Peterborough for the National Hunter Trial Championships, again with the Mid Devon club, in June.

Lizzie will also compete at the Royal Cornwall Show.

In between these events, Lizzie will be eventing with her second pony, Bradmore Rob?s Boy, and hopes to represent the Lamerton Pony Club in the area dressage and horse trials events.

She said her ultimate aim was to work towards FEI Pony Trials selection.

East Cleave

Sourton