The History of Mojo Carnival Club

Mojo Carnival Club was formed in 2009 at the Highwayman Inn, Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet. Aaron Moulder, Stephen James and Andy James came up with the idea to create a club that went out to have fun whilst promoting 'Carnival' in the wider area.

After it's inaugural meeting and subsequent AGM, the club was officially formed, by the end of 2009, Mojo CC had 15 members to it's name and lots of support in various forms.

2010 was our first year out, we didn't go out with all guns blazing, the plan was to go out as a walking group, we negotiated use of costumes from Shepton Mallet Theatre Group (many thanks!), purchased a trailer and went out with our idea 'Panto Party' or would later become branded 'Mojo Party'. We picked up a few trophies along the way for our determination, we had learnt what we were capable of, the skills we needed to learn, and money needed to be raised. Barry and Nic (then, managers of the Highwayman Inn) supported us THROUGH OUT the year, we could not have thanked them enough.

2011 was abit of a hellish year for Mojo Carnival Club, that would probably have seen any other club fold. At the beginning of the year we lost access to our building shed and scurried around looking for another, when Barry and Nic left the pub. We picked our idea at our second idea's meeting which was to be 'Viva Las Vegas' with Elvis' version of the song as our track. However by the first half of the year, some members of Mojo Carnival Club felt they could do better on their own and formed 'The Highwayman Carnival Club'. Two clubs were now based at the Highwayman and with a new management team the strain for resources and support was evident, Mojo Carnival Club at this time, with no assetts or money, made the decision to move it's base to 'The Crown Inn', Pilton. While here, our idea was changed to "Off the Rails" our Vice President, Tom Bailey, worked at the East Somerset Railway, and was the butt of many jokes about trains!

It was then noted that a large proportion of our membership lived in the Wiltshire/Dorset area, so it was decided we would hold our meetings and build our entry in the town of Melksham, the landlord of "The Forresters Arms" was approached and he welcomed us to hold our meetings and fundraising activities there... our build site is still, regretfully, the presidents back garden!!

Out of the split and move came a club that is much akin to a second family, with valued commitment and dedication, driven to continue and perform as Mojo Carnival Club.