AS Marina Sydenham Juvenile Carnival Club hurtles towards its 50th anniversary next year, there’s no sign of this group slowing down.

The club’s first entry was back in 1966 with their musketeers theme doing the rounds at Bridgwater Carnival.

Founding members Roy and Kevin Pearce first entered with a ‘go-cart’ style entry, expanding over the years to a larger cart and with various entry name changes until the club’s official name change in 1981.

Today the club has 17 full members in the eight to 14-year-olds who take part and the 20 associate members are parents.

Club chairperson Sarah Humphrey said: “Every time a new cart is pulled out of the shed and then completes the carnival circuit with all the children enjoying themselves are proud moments.”

Although most clubs will always tell you that last year was their best year in the history of the club, this couldn’t be truer for Marina Sydenham Juvenile Carnival Club.

“Last year we were lucky enough to achieve first place in all seven carnivals and we shared the Gangs and Features Sports Trophy for joint first place with Gremlins Carnival Club.”

They dominated their category with their ‘Jitterbug Boogie’ cart at carnivals in Bridgwater, Burnham, Wells, Glastonbury, Weston, North Petherton and Shepton Mallet.

The resulting haul of cups included the Marketeers Cup in Bridgwater (first juvenile mounted), Kevin John Pierce Cup (local juvenile), Bunch of Grapes Rose Bowl (juvenile county cup), Kay Bendle Memorial Cup (best juvenile costume) and for the first time, the Pearl Clifford Cup (most original juvenile entry).

Sarah said that the heroes of the club were the associate members and the supporters of the club, some of which have been helping for over 25 years.

“All of our associate members tirelessly help us throughout the year, with fundraising and cart building, even though their children may have long moved on.

“Then there are our supporters who come to our bingo sessions and of course our children’s parents, the majority of whom contribute many hours to fundraising and cart building.”

This year’s theme is top secret and Sarah wasn’t giving much away as to what we can expect from the club’s entry this year.

“All I’m saying is that it’s ambitious for us – you’ll just have to wait and see.”

Any former members are asked to get in touch to organise a 50th anniversary reunion next year.