Wells was heaving for last night's illuminated carnival as thousands packed into the city centre — and it was a huge night for the county's biggest clubs, with Ramblers CC storming to overall victory while Wells' own carts held their ground in a fiercely competitive line-up.

Ramblers CC were the ones to beat, taking the top spot in the Feature Mounted Open class with 1912: All Out, racking up a massive 1331 points. They went on to clinch first place again in the Best Decorated Towing Vehicle category, sealing their place as the night's outright winners.

Photo: Ramblers CC

But it wasn't all about the giants of the circuit. Wells clubs — Globe, Cobra, Gorgons and Mendip Vale — stepped into the glare of the floodlights with solid performances in key classes.

Photo: Globe CC/Facebook

Globe CC delivered Wells' strongest result of the night. Their cart, Jester's Haunt, landed fifth in the Best Dressed Towing Vehicle Driver class and 15th in Best Decorated Towing Vehicle. Judges marked them consistently on costume, presentation and effect, putting Globe firmly in the top half of the table.

Cobra CC's One Last Ride kept Wells in the running in the Feature Mounted Local class, finishing fifth and holding off several major clubs. Cobra later added more points in the towing sections, pushing their overall tally up on one of the tightest nights of scoring seen this season.

Gorgons CC's Showboat also scored steadily, securing mid-table places in both towing categories after picking up decent marks for costume and general effect.

Mendip Vale CC's Starlight posted a respectable 12th in the Feature Mounted Open class and picked up further points in the towing awards, ending the night with even marks across every judging section.

While Wells clubs put in a determined showing, the top spots across the classes were dominated by the heavyweights of the circuit. Officials confirmed the final podiums:

Feature Mounted (Open)

1. Ramblers CC – 1912: All Out
2. Renegades CC – Emerald City
3. Gremlins CC – Morning of the Dragon

Tableaux Mounted (Open)

1. Huckyduck CC – Scarecrow ParTea
2. Pentathlon CC – Carnival of Shadows
3. Wills CC – RMS Titanic

Feature Mounted (Local)

1. Globe CC – Jester's Haunt
2. Windwhistle – Starlight
3. Wick CC – Circus Town

Comic Feature

1. Newmarket CC – Ghost Chickens
2. Luchington CC – R We There Yet?
3. 1+1 CC – Rumble in the Jungle

Juvenile Cart

1. Rubalo JCC – The Spirit of Christmas
2. Hillview JCC – Jewels of Arabia
3. Marina Sydenham JCC – Noah

Best Decorated Towing Vehicle

1. Ramblers CC – 1912: All Out
2. Renegades CC – Emerald City
3. Gremlins CC – Morning of the Dragon

Best Dressed Towing Vehicle Driver

1. Vagabonds CC – Elephant Graveyard
2. Huckyduck CC – Scarecrow ParTea
3. Pentathlon CC – Carnival of Shadows

With thousands watching and the streets packed shoulder-to-shoulder, Wells Carnival delivered another full-throttle night of colour, light and competition. And for the city's clubs, it was a proud showing against some of the biggest and boldest carts in Somerset.

Miss last night's party? The final carnival of the season takes place in Glastonbury tonight.

More local stories:

• Clock ticking as battle to save Wells pub reaches crunch point
• Somerset drivers fined over 10,000 times for Blue Badge misuse

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