A Bus for Rosy Pt2

I stood outside waiting, Alan the Chairperson of Moray forum stood with me waiting to see if our hard work was going to be good or wasted.
The first bus turned up, it was the bus from Garmouth I had arranged for the residents to be bussed in, I welcomed them took them through for a cup of tea and showed them the displays that had been set up.
All together 90 people turned up, They listened to the speakers asked questions then split up into small groups to discuss and raise problems within their areas at each table we had a Volunteer to take notes and collate their problems, I was the runner to take the various peices of imformation to be collated by a panel.
I was so proud of what we had acheived out of a little chat with the elderly gentleman to this Transport for the Elderly seminar.
We all met up and listen to the feed back from the variuos groups.everyone went away satisfied that their veiws had been heard and noted.

Now the hard work began sifting through all the imformation writing it down gradually the report started to form.
January the report was complete the Steering group went through it page by page changing this changing that, at last it was ready for presentation.
It was decided that I would contact afew of the people who attended the Seminar ans see if they would like to go to the presentation. Two decided to go, I picked them up. rosy one of the ladies said to me she had a problem that day, she had to go to Fochabers Practice for twenty minute Blood pressure test, it took her a round trip of 6 hours to do a four mile trip. she said she nearly didnt come as she was so tired but decided she would, she asked me if we would get a bus service to Fochabers direct from Garmouth, I looked at her and said Rosy I shall get you a bus I promise you.
The presentation took place the local press were there to take pictures and talk to the two ladies who I had taken.

Disaster! Moray council had to cut back on their budget proposals BABS buses would only get £15000 pounds subsidy this tear reduced from £30000, they could not survive,This was the headlines screaming from the front pages of local papers. BABS is a communty bus service run by volunteer drivers who provide a service for disabled people and elderly, in some cases it is a vital service.
On budget day the Moray Council had decided to increase the subsidy to BABS to a £!00000 a year and was increasing its budget to £600000 a year towards community transport.
Our report had been read by every elected councilor and our report had changed Moray Council Policy we had turned a disaster into a victory.
Last week ihad a phone call from BABS asking if I could arrange a meeting between interested groups and them and would i chair the meeting of course I agreed, I immediatly phoned the chairman of the Garmouth Amenities he put me in contact with the over fifties club and i arranged the meeting for the 21st of February. at 2pm.
The meeting was well attended and Nick the BABS representative told the people what service they can have.
They have a bus service to Fochabers twice a week, they have a daily bus service to Elgin one week Tesco one week Asda.
The bus company will arrange patients appointments with the Fochabers practice to time in with their bus. The people will have an hour and a half to visit the doctor banks and local shops.

Rosy was at the meeting she came to me and said I got my bus Pete as you promised me, I looked at her and said yes Rosy you have your bus but it was you and your community that got itI only helped where I could.

Needless to say I have been involved in the Trade Union Movement and Tennants Associations for forty years, and yesterday was one of the best results in all that time.
We the forum do not stop here, there are plenty of projects to work on.