THE colourful cavalcade of more t han 100 cabs which descended on Troon for the annual day out organised by the Glasgow  Taxi Outing Fund last Wednesday were running 40 minutes late after a delay in the city.

But it was more than worth the wait as their arrival signalled an unforgettable afternoon at the seaside for special needs children.

It truly was a spectacle as the innovative fleet of cabs drove along Barassie’s North Shore Road into the town.

And, topically, it was a vehicle with a tie-in to the acclaimed new Jurassic World movie was the standout It has a trailer and there were miniature dinosaurs at the front and a small tree hanging out of the top of the roof. 

This was the worthy winner of the Best Decorated Taxi and the prize was cocktails for six at the Slug & Lettuce in Glasgow. Runner-up was the Mario ice cream van, which had designs of ice creams and ice poles on the back.

The parade also featured the outgoing Troon Gala Queen Leah Dunsmuir and Princess Tess Donnelly and the incoming Queen Eilidh Graham, this year’s Queen, along with her sisters, Aeva and Morna Graham, who are the Princesses.

Once again the shops were brilliantly decorated. Willis Pharmacy, with a marine theme, featuring illustrations by pupils from James McFarlane School in Ardrossan won the Best Dressed Shop, with Mary’s Meals runner-up and Spar in third place.

The Post Office with Meghan, Harry and Donald Trump in a buggy surrounded by dinosaurs was also a real standout.

And Girvans, with its rock ‘n roll theme was the Best Dressed Pubor Eating Place with a trophy presented to the winners. Runners-up were The Poppy Room with Smugglers third.

When the children arrived they enjoyed pony rides on the beach, musical entertainment with a DJ and ice cream, with characters including a dinosaur keeping them amused.

Organisers were delighted with how it went.

Jim Buchanan, chairman of the Glasgow Taxi outing Fund said “We had 260 children, more than 100 drivers, carers and parents at the outing.

This is one day when no-one say no to the kids, a lot of them will have never been to the seaside before. The drivers gave up their whole day without pay.

Troon seems to be the place to go for us. We have a good relationship with the Community Council, that’s why we keep coming back.

“This was our 73rd year and we are planning a special one for our 75th in two years.”

Added Troon Community Council chairwoman Helen Duff:”We have a new school in Glasgow this year and that brought 10 new taxis, it was great the sun stayed out for us and it was an absolutely fantastic day for everyone, The taxis looked really good and we had great weather.”

Girvans are the main fundraisers for the trip and owner Connie Girvan is delighted with this year’s efforts.

She said: “Last year we raised £6200 and we will beat that this time as donations are still coming in.”

“We have been raising money for six years and we are the main sponsor but we have hard to work hard on this yea’s event for months.
“Each year we seem to get more.  Thanks to everyone who has donated.  
“We support this so we can give the kids their day out, they really deserve  it.

“We held some successful auctions and also a raffle. The customers are so supportive of the day and enjoy it. 

“The taxis are fabulous, I saw them going past and the pub has been really busy all day.”

The pub’s mascot, Freddy, the  Shetland Pony was also on parade at the outing and attracted donations.

He was on the grass area opposite the pub and lots of passers-by stopped to say hello.

Freddy has become a familiar face on what is one of Troon’s top events of the year.

Connie added: “We bought him a few years back as part of our Wild West theme for the taxi outing and have kept him ever since.”