Renegades Carnival Club have been crowned the 2026 Bridgwater Carnival Concert champions, securing their fourth White Hart Cup victory in the last ten competitive years.
The results were announced on Thursday 15 October, bringing to a close another successful year of concerts, which were held at The McMillan Theatre for the first time as a temporary home for 2026.
Renegades claimed first place in the Feature and Tableaux category with their production Welcome to the Big Top, adding another victory to their previous successes in 2017, 2022 and 2024.
Gremlins Carnival Club finished second with Forged, while Ramblers Carnival Club took third place with Around the World in 80 Days.
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Publicity Director (Lewis White) & Concert Coordinator (Anne Middleton) congratulated the winners and praised the standard of this year’s performances.
“To see Renegades lift the White Hart Cup for the fourth time in ten competitive years is a fantastic achievement, and huge congratulations must go to everyone involved.
“But what has really stood out this year is the incredible talent across every single club and performance. The amount of work that goes into these concerts is extraordinary, and everyone who has taken part should be immensely proud.
“Regardless of the results, you have all contributed to something very special, and that is what Bridgwater Carnival is all about.”
The concerts also celebrated the talents of Bridgwater’s younger performers and front of curtain acts.
Sally Williams Dancers took first place in the Dance Troupe category with Once Upon a Story, while Sienna Courtney won Best Single Vocalist.
Starstruck topped the Other Acts category and also collected the Athletic Sports Cup and George Bown Cup.
The prestigious Reg Dyer Personality Cup was awarded to Jake Godfrey.
Concert Coordinator Anne Middleton said the success of the concerts reflected the dedication of everyone involved, particularly during a year of change.
“This year has certainly been different for us, but I am so proud of how everyone has pulled together.
“Moving the concerts to The McMillan Theatre has meant adapting to a new environment, and that has taken a tremendous amount of teamwork from our clubs, performers, backstage crews, technical teams and volunteers.
“Seeing the finished performances on stage and the audiences enjoying themselves makes all that hard work worthwhile. I cannot thank everyone enough for their commitment and support.”
Official Bridgwater Carnival Concert Results 2026
FEATURE & TABLEAUX
Position | Club and performance |
1st | Renegades CC – Welcome to the Big Top |
2nd | Gremlins CC – Forged |
3rd | Ramblers CC – Around the World in 80 Days |
4th | Marketeers CC – Over the Rooftops |
5th | British Flag CC – Aztecs |
6th | Vagabonds CC – Viva Brazil |
7th | Griffens CC – Club Priscilla |
8th | Lime Kiln CC – Medieval – Until We Dance Again |
9th | Wills CC – King Ludwig of Bavaria |
10th | Cavaliers CC – It’s All Greek to Me |
11th | Crusaders CC – Vikings of Valhalla |
12th | Centurion CC – Viva La Revolution |
Associated trophies:
1st – White Hart Cup
2nd – Elizabeth Ann James Cup
3rd – Barrie Lintern Trophy
4th – Lime Kiln Anniversary Cup
9th – Sam Hooper Cup
12th – Ray Bown Cup
DANCE TROUPE
1st – Sally Williams Dancers – Once Upon a Story (Starkey Cup)
2nd – Julia McDonald Dance Company – The Spooktakular
SINGLE VOCALIST
1st – Sienna Courtney (Judges Cup)
2nd – Paige Brunton
3rd – Megan Brunton
4th – Jessie G
Joint 5th – Emily Palmer
Joint 5th – Charlotte Couch
7th – Melanie Wedgbury
OTHER ACTS
1st – Starstruck
2nd – Viva
3rd – Fox King Dance Academy
4th – Daisy Mae Lee
5th – Ella & Bella
SPECIAL CUP AWARDS
Award | Winner |
Bert Snook Rose Bowl – Best Under 17 Front of Curtain | Fox King Dance Academy |
Athletic Sports Cup – Best Vocal (2 or more) | Starstruck |
George Bown Cup – Best Song, Dance or Novelty Act | Starstruck |
Arthur Rainey Cup – Best Comic Act | Daisy Mae Lee |
Suffragettes Cup – Best Costume | British Flag CC |
Les Manley Cup – Most Improved Club | Marketeers CC |
Millennium Cup – Best Stage Setting | Gremlins CC |
Reg Dyer Cup – Personality Cup | Jake Godfrey |
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The Reg Dyer Cup nominees were Andy Meek, Kofi King, Ellis Roberts, Jake Godfrey, Matt Trunks, Daisy Mae Lee, Renegades Carnival Club, Megan Boucher, Scott Clapp, James Venning, Olivia Handel, Ramblers Carnival Club, Ella & Bella, Sienna Courtney, Kizzy McGuire and Vagabonds Carnival Club Men.
A huge thank you to everyone involved
As the concerts came to a close, organisers also paid tribute to the many people working behind the scenes, including the creative teams, technicians, stage crews, chaperones, committee members, publicity and ticketing teams, programme and souvenir sellers, raffle teams and volunteers.
Lewis White added:
“One of the things that makes these concerts so special is the number of people who give up their time to make them happen.
“There are so many people whose work the audience never sees, but without them there simply wouldn’t be a show.
“We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors, our wonderful audiences and everyone who continues to support this tradition year after year.”
The committee thanked this year’s performance sponsors: McFarland Transport, Snap Fitness 24/7, Bar Brunel, Hinkley Point C, Wetherspoon (The Carnival Inn), AJP Fire & Life Safety, FCS International Shipping Limited, Parker Service Group Ltd, Bridgwater Car & Van Hire, Agratas, Smyths Toys Superstores Weston-super-Mare and Little Crickets Pre-School (THRIVE at Little Crickets).
Thanks were also extended to Wren Kitchens, the Souvenir Programme Sponsor, and SCG (Set Construction Team), the Front of Curtain Act Audition Sponsor.
A special thank you to The McMillan Theatre
This year’s concerts marked a change of venue, with The McMillan Theatre providing a temporary home for 2026.
Anne Middleton added:
“We would like to say a particularly big thank you to everyone at The McMillan Theatre for welcoming us this year.
“Moving an event of this size is never straightforward, but the theatre team has been incredibly supportive and accommodating throughout.
“We have been very grateful for their help, and it has been wonderful to see our carnival community come together in a different venue and make it such a success.”
All eyes now turn to Bridgwater Carnival on 7 November
With the concerts now complete, attention turns to the spectacular Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival procession on Saturday 7 November 2026, starting at 6pm.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets of Bridgwater to enjoy the illuminated entries, music and entertainment that make the annual procession one of the town’s most celebrated traditions.
Lewis White concluded:
“The concerts are a wonderful start to our carnival celebrations, and now we have the excitement of the procession to look forward to.
“Saturday 7 November promises to be another fantastic occasion, and we would encourage everyone to come along, support our carnival clubs and enjoy the spectacle.
“For those who cannot make it to Bridgwater, our official live stream means they can still enjoy the procession from wherever they are.
“Above all, thank you to everyone who continues to make Bridgwater Carnival such an important part of our community.”
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at 6pm.
Those unable to attend can watch the official live stream at:
