More than 150 passengers rode in a five-tram cavalcade on Sunday August 7 to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Douglas horse tram service. In fine weather and with the horses dressed in their best tack the parade attracted keen interest and was led by His Worship the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl JP who travelled in the lead tram, the double decker built in 1883. Joining the cavalcade were the Royal tram, so-called because it has carried, among other royals, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and three ‘toastrack’ cars. The cavalcade completed, the Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress Mrs Julie McNicholl, visited an exhibition in the Strathallan Suite of tramways’ memorabilia organised by Debbie Watterson, one of the Council’s seasonal employees and a devotee of the service who has created the website www.douglashorsetramway.net which chronicles the development of the service from its 1876 origins to the present day. His Worship said: ‘The 135th anniversary celebrations highlighted the deep affection that exists to this day for our horse trams. It was extremely heartening to see so many families with young children enjoying this unique occasion which also provided some outstanding photo opportunities. Thanks are due to Douglas Borough Council’s tramways staff for ensuring the trams and the horses looked so magnificent and to Debbie Watterson for mounting such a detailed exhibition and creating what is clearly a labour of love, her comprehensive website which provides the definitive account of what is one of the world’s oldest surviving tramways.’ Leisure Services Committee Chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘The Douglas horse trams still exert a tremendous appeal and we were delighted to be able to celebrate their 135th anniversary on August 7, the very date in 1876 when the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway was inaugurated, the vision of retired civil engineer Thomas Lightfoot. ‘The horse trams have survived two world wars and are still very much a part of Douglas in the summer and we are pleased to have been able to extend the operating season this year to September 18 in order that Commonwealth Youth Games’ competitors and visitors may have the opportunity to travel on this unique example of vintage transport.’ The Douglas horse tram service operates daily until September 18 from 9am to 6pm. For more information about the service, visit www.douglashorsetramway.net ENDS