Renegades Carnival Club took the top award as the curtains closed last night on the 2022 Bridgwater Carnival Concerts.
With their performance London’s Calling…One and All, the Bridgwater club won the prestigious White Hart Cup, which is awarded to the gang or feature gaining the highest number of points throughout the concert fortnight. This is the second time in four concert years that the club, who are based at the West India House, have won the top prize at the annual concerts.
Katie Williams stage captain for Renegades CC, said: “Tonight is a very special night for Renegades Carnival Club, and for Bridgwater Carnival. To have missed two years and to be back at the Town Hall together is something to be very grateful for.
“As always we go into the concert fortnight knowing it is incredibly hard to win the White Hart Cup, and to now know we have been awarded it again is an accolade that will stay with us for a very long time to come.
“This year we dedicated our stage entry to some very dear people who we have sadly lost in recent months, and to be the winners of The White Hart Cup is a fitting tribute to them.”
Gremlins CC were overall runners up with King Louis Masquerade Ball, and British Flag CC took the third spot with Fiesta Cubana. Wills CC were the highest placed tableau club and won the Sam Hooper Cup after coming 8th with At the Museum.
In other results, British Flag CC won the Millennium Cup for best stage setting and the Les Manley Cup for most improved club, Gremlins CC were awarded the Suffragettes Cup for best costume, and Marketeers CC took the Arthur Rainey Cup for best comic act.
The Sally Williams Dancers won the Starkey Cup for their show Addams Family House Party, while The Vixens were awarded the George Bown Cup for the best song, dance, musical or novelty act and the Athletic Sports Cup for best vocal (2 or more).
Simon Newton won the Judges Cup for best single vocalist, and Florence Curtis took the Bert Snook Rose Bowl for the best 17 and under front of curtain act. Jon Aherne from Gremlins CC was awarded the Reg Dyer Cup for best personality.
Mike Crocker, president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, added: “Firstly I would like to thank all of the clubs, dance troupes and front of curtain acts who have taken part in the 2022 Bridgwater Carnival Concerts, and for providing such top class entertainment to our audiences.
It’s so good to be back after having a two year enforced break due to the pandemic, and the entire cast has been a true credit and shown Bridgwater Carnival at its very best.
“I would also like to offer my sincere congratulations to all of the winners for their success.”
The popular concerts have been an annual feature in Bridgwater since 1883, and is a curtain raiser to the eagerly anticipated carnival procession on Saturday 5 November 2022.
