RENEGADES Carnival Club took the top award as the curtains closed on the final night of this year's Bridgwater Carnival Concerts.

Their performance, London's Calling... One and All, secured them the prestigious White Hart Cup.

The cup is awarded to the gang or feature that gains the highest number of points throughout the concert fortnight.

This is the second time in four concert years that Renegades, who are based at the West India House, have won the top prize. 

The carnival concerts returned to Bridgwater Town Hall earlier this month after a two-year hiatus because of Covid.

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 out stage entry to some very dear people who we have sadly lost in recently month, and to be the winners of the White Hart Cup is a fitting tribute to them.”

Bridgwater Mercury: Renegades CC perform ‘London's Calling... One and All’. Picture: Timeless ImagesRenegades CC perform ‘London's Calling... One and All’. Picture: Timeless Images (Image: Timeless Images)

Gremlins CC were the overall runners-up with King Louis Masquerade Ball, and British Flag CC took third with Fiesta Cubana

Wills CC were the highest-placed tableau club and won the Sam Hooper Cup after coming joint seventh overall with At the Museum.

British Flag CC won the Millennium Cup for the best stage setting and the Les Manley Cup for the most improved club.

Gremlins CC took home the Suffragettes Cup for best costume, and Marketeers CC won 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 (two 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.

Bridgwater Mercury: Vocalist Florence Curtis performs ‘Over The Rainbow’ at the Bridgwater Carnival Concerts. Picture: Steve RichardsonVocalist Florence Curtis performs ‘Over The Rainbow’ at the Bridgwater Carnival Concerts. Picture: Steve Richardson (Image: Steve Richardson)

Mike Crocker, president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “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 concerts have part of Bridgwater since 1883 and are a curtain-raiser for the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival procession.

This year's carnival will be held on Saturday, November 5.