COMMUNITY transport in the Okehampton area has received a timely boost after a host of parish councils responded to appeals for financial help from the Okehampton District Community Transport Group. The group, which runs the Ring and Ride and Community Car Service, has received grants totalling more than £1,000 from local parish councils to support its vital work. Co-ordinator Sandra Hucker said she was delighted that Drewsteignton, Okehampton, South Tawton, Bridestowe, Exbourne with Jacobstowe and Belstone Parish Councils had all contributed small sums to support the project, with Hatherleigh Parish Council giving a promise to help as well. Mrs Hucker said the service was well-used by people in Okehampton and the surrounding villages? in the 12 months to September this year, the service undertook 4,764 passenger journeys. The Ring and Ride service began in May 1990, with the Community Car Service following two years later. The Ring and Ride bus offers a door-to-door service, operating five days a week, covering different zones on each day, the service covers a wide rural area stretching from Highampton to Iddesleigh to Chagford and brings passengers into Okehampton town centre to do their shopping. Mrs Hucker said the service was tailored to help the rurally isolated as well as the elderly and disabled who found it difficult to use public transport. The ring and ride service can also accommodate parents with small children. Pat Sawyer, committee vice-chair, said the service was about giving people the freedom to travel. She said: ?People can maintain their independence, they can come in, do their shopping and have it taken to their door. ?It?s a social thing as well. For somebody who lives three or four miles up a country track, they can meet their friends, do their shopping and it may be their only chance to get out that week.? Mrs Sawyer said she regularly rode on the bus herself to be able to gain knowledge of the service from the perspective of the people who use it. ?People say ?I don?t know what I would do without you?. It is very rewarding when you get that sort of feedback,? she said. Mrs Hucker said the group was lucky to have such a dedicated driver in Mark Read, who has been driving the ring and ride bus for the last five years and has done a great job. The service has also expanded to run outings on Saturdays during spring and summer and has recently begun working in partnership with the Dartmoor National Park Authority to provide transport to allow people to explore the moor. Mrs Hucker said the initiative was designed to allow people who are in wheelchairs or have mobility difficulties to still be able to enjoy the moor. Transport is provided for local people and tourists alike with a guide on hand to help people get the most out of their visit to Dartmoor. The community transport group operates and co-ordinates its invaluable service out of a small office at the Ockment Centre. The two big problems the group faces are the financial costs of providing a service across such a wide rural area and finding volunteer drivers to fill the community car rotas. Mrs Hucker said the group was pleased at the recognition the local parish councils had given to the work it does. It was also very grateful to Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council for their continuing support for the community-led scheme. The community car scheme complements the ring and ride service and provides for individual one-off journeys, such as visiting friends or for trips for hospital appointments. The community cars are provided by volunteer drivers using their own cars, with a mileage rate paid. Mrs Sawyer said: ?The drivers are so good, they go above and beyond the call of duty. They are wonderful. We currently have 17 drivers though we always need more.? If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer driver or more about the services on offer please contact the co-ordinator on 01837 55000.
