MEMBERS of a juvenile carnival club in Ilminster are relieved that enough support has been shown to keep it going.

Rascals CC, which is based at the Shrubbery Hotel, held a ‘make or break’ AGM on Monday night (December 9) after dwindling numbers over the last two years threatened its survival.

Following an appeal in the News one of its original members, Dave Orchard, has returned and taken on the role of chairman, while the rest of the committee was formed.

They have also had an offer of a tractor and someone to drive it, but only two new members joined on Monday, so there is still some way to go to secure the club’s long-term future.

Committee member Lucy Mabey said: “We are relieved that the club is not folding and that we will definitely have an entry on next year’s circuit, but it was a bit disappointing after all the publicity that more new members didn’t come along to the AGM.

“However, we are so pleased to have Dave back – he was a member up until a couple of years ago and has come back to try and save it.

“Although we are 100% certain we will be going out next year, we could still do with more members and manpower – we would love to hear from any carpenters, welders or anyone willing to do some general DIY.”

Rascals CC will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year and six children aged between five and 15 are currently involved.

Lucy added: “The kids are over the moon “This is definitely a step in the right direction and now we just need to keep going forward.”

A design meeting will be held at 2pm on January 5 at the Shrubbery Hotel, which anyone thinking of joining the club is welcome to come along to.

If you can’t make it or would like to find out more, contact Lucy via lucylovesick@hotmail.co.uk or on 01460-239469 or 07921-866190.

You can also visit the Facebook page Rascals Carnival Club, Ilminster.