Two young fans of the Douglas horse tram service have spent a morning with the ‘trammers’, the highlight of the pair’s prizes in the Story Lab quiz organised by the Henry Bloom Noble Library as part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Children taking part in a Story Lab activity session at the library were invited to choose the name of the next tram horse and to submit, in fewer than 100 words, their responses to the phrase: ‘I like the horse trams because…’

The judging panel comprised Douglas Mayor David Ashford, regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts and tramways superintendent Michael Crellin.

Matthew, nine, from Farmhill chose the name ‘William’ for the two-year-old horse for several reasons. ‘Because of the royal wedding of Prince William last year, because of this year’s jubilee celebrations…and because my dad’s middle name is William,’ he explained.

Emma, 10, from Governors Hill wrote that she liked the horse trams because ‘they look like they’re very happy about pulling the trams and do it with pride. I also like them because the drivers are very friendly. The horses are very well trained and at the end I like to stroke them to say thank you.’

Along with their families the winners, who were also presented with tramways t-shirts, enjoyed a short tram ride from the Strathallan terminus to the stables where Matthew met ‘his’ tram horse, William and, together with Emma, spent time meeting some the tram horses, feeding and grooming them.

Sponsored by Scottish Widows for the fifth year in succession the Summer Reading Challenge requires children to read six books of their choice during the holidays. As the children progress through the challenge they earn collectable incentives and rewards. Those who complete it will receive a certificate and medal from the Mayor at a prize presentation later this month.

Photo caption - Tramways superintendent Michael Crellin with quiz winners Emma Hawke, 10 and Matthew Tait, nine. Picture Andrew Barton.