Steve Smith, chairman, Townstal Community Partnership, writes: Please cascade down the lines our thanks to all who joined in the recent campaign against the rural bus services cutbacks – it was indeed a 'power to the people; response. We were confident that we would hit 500 – but wow! We have now reached 708, which in real terms is pretty impressive; now we wait to see if it has had any impact on the ­decisions to be made. We would have liked to have won this battle outright, but in reality Devon County Council has to make savings, so if we won some compromise on this then I believe many would be very satisfied; and if it meant the 111 service being reinstated then many would be more than pleased, they would be elated. Sincere thanks to John Hart for taking valuable time out to meet with us last Friday. The fate for the future of a lifeline into the community body with transport will be on your operating table this coming week with the county council cabinet members. Again, thanks for your responses.