PAST?chairpersons and co-ordinators joined supporters and volunteers to celebrate Okehampton and District Community Transport Group's 25th anniversary recently.

The organisation celebrated its milestone birthday at the Pavilion in the Park with an afternoon tea for staff, trustees, volunteers and users of the service.

Among those at the celebration were the group's three chairpersons since its creation in Maurie Webber, Judy Pride and the third and current chairperson Pat Sawyer. The group's three co-ordinators since its creation, Colin McLean, Sandra Hucker and Sue Wonnacott, were also present.

The service was originally started as a ring and ride service set up in response to new legislation at the time which gave local authorities powers to meet the travel needs of elderly and disabled people.

In April 1990 Honiton became the first market town in Devon to launch a Ring and Ride service with Okehampton following suit soon after. Today there are 16 schemes now operating in Devon, covering over 80% of parishes in the county and used by almost 30,000 passengers per year.

The Okehampton transport group now has a wider remit than just the ring and ride service. It is a community-led scheme supported by Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council to provide transport for the local rural community and for people who find it physically difficult to use conventional public transport, the frail elderly, and those who are rurally isolated.

The group provides transport to hospital and medical appointments, and social visits. As well as the ring and ride service it runs a community car service with specialised wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Just days after celebrating its anniversary, the group took part n the 'Transport for your Community' roadshow, promoting the values and benefits of community transport schemes. The event was part of the second Community Transport Awareness Week across Devon.

Central Devon MP Mel Stride visited the roadshow event in Okehampton to talk with representatives from the transport group.

Sue Wonnacott, co-ordinator for the Okehampton transport group, said: 'The roadshow event was fairly busy. We all managed to chat to several members of the public about our work and it was really useful to have the chance to update Mr Stride on our situation.'

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: 'Community transport is well used and much loved by thousands of people across Devon, and the awareness week was a great opportunity for more people to find out how they could benefit from community transport.'