THE official overall results from all of this year's Somerset Carnivals have been announced.

Bridgwater-based Ramblers CC were named joint overall champions alongside Coleford-based Huckyduck CC.

Ramblers Chairman Steve 'Fizzer' Whaites was in disbelief with the club's success this year upon finding out they'd once again been crowned overall winners.

"It's unbelievable really," he said.

"To win all seven carnivals and the stage is something else.

“It was beyond our expectations."

Steve explained how the club once again stepped up their efforts for the carnival to make this year's 'Trawlermen' entry one of the best in Ramblers' history. 

“Every year we put in a lot of effort – this year was done a little bit differently," he said.

“More rehearsals went into the stage show... the cart was designed by half a dozen guys.

“As it was progressing during the year, we did think 'this is going to be a good cart' -- we were pretty confident, but not overly confident.

"I think this one is more of an impact cart – probably the best cart we’ve done for many years."

He cited the club members' unwavering work ethic as a another reason for their recent success. 

“It comes down to hard work - the lads are really good.

“They’ve done a tremendous job this year.

“I'm massively impressed, it was a tremendous team performance."

Steve revealed preparations are underway for Ramblers 2024 entry, but nothing is yet confirmed.

“All we can do is work like we did last year with the help of our stage captain, cart captain, club captain, and working as a team," he affirmed.

Bridgwater Carnival 2023 full results

OVERALL CHAMPIONS - winning the STARKEY CUP

Joint winners: 'Trawlermen' - Ramblers CC & 'December the 25th' - Huckyduck CC.

Classes 1 & 2 - TABLEAUX

  • The Biffen 50th Anniversary Cup: DECEMBER THE 25TH Huckyduck C.C.
  • The Sedgemoor Enterprises Cup: ZULU- BATTLE OF RORKE'S DRIFT Pentathlon C.C.
  • The Robert Baggelaar Cup: UK'OTOA King William C.C.
  • The Tony & Elaine Frazier Cup: COPPELIUS'S TOY THEATRE Wills C.C.

Classes 3 & 4 - FEATURE

  • The Midsomer Norton Cup: TRAWLERMEN Ramblers C.C.
  • The North Petherton Cup: DAMES Marketeers C.C.
  • The Cecil Dodd Memorial Cup: THE TRAVELLING SHOW Gremlins C.C.
  • The Richard Collins Memorial Shield: OHANA (WE KNOW THE WAY) Masqueraders C.C

Class 5 - COMIC FEATURE

  • The Bridgwater Comic Cup: DIRTY LAUNDRY Newmarket C.C. 
  • The George Widgery Memorial Cup: PLUCKING Nunsford Nutters C.C.
  • The Watchfield C.C. Cup: WAKA WAKA WILD Luckington C.C.

Class 6 - JUVENILE CART

  • The Bunch of Grapes Rose Bowl: SWEET DREAMS Hillview J.C.C.
  • The Burnham & Dist. G&F Wilquick Cup: GUSTAFSON'S WORKSHOP Marina Sydenham J.C.C.

Class 7 - GROUP OF ADULT MASQUERADERS

  • The Hot Rod Gremlin Cup: MISS PANTO 2023 The Academy of Carnival.
  • The Marg & Ern Holley Cup: JACK HE'S BACK! Smandys C.C.

Class 8 - GROUP OF JUVENILE MASQUERADERS

  • The Nicola Putt Cup: DAY OF THE DEAD Rhythm Fever C.C.

Class 9 - THREE - FIVE MASQUERADERS

  • The Eileen Brunton Cup: WE CAN CAN U? A.B.C C.C.

Class 10 - PAIRS

  • The Samvantra Cup: THE DRAGON A & A C.C.
  • The Associates 10th Anniversary Trophy: A FLYING VISIT Dee Gees C.C.

Class 11 - SINGLE ADULT MASQUERADER

  • The Doug. Letherby Cup: SAMBISTA Jacks CC.
  • The Gismo Cup: MASTER OF TIME Andy Tizzard.

Class 12 - SINGLE JUVENILE MASQUERADER

  • The Phillips Memorial Cup: FESTIVAL OF LITTLE R Little R.
  • The Don Clifford Cup: RISE OF THE PHOENIX Jiggle Junior (Callie Martin).

Class 14 - BEST DECORATED TOWING VEHICLE

  • The Lime Kiln C.C. 50th Anniversary Cup: TRAWLERMEN Ramblers C.C.
  • The Ted Putt Memorial Cup: OHANA (WE KNOW THE WAY) Masqueraders C.C.

Class 15 - BEST DRESSED TOWING VEHICLE DRIVER

  • The Ralph Whitting Cup: Ken Marsh Marketeers C.C.
  • The Bulldogs Cup: Dave Jennings Griffens C.C.

BEST TWO PART ENTRY

  • The Mid Som G & F 40th Anniversary Trophy: HEART OF OAK Oasis C.C.