CARNIVAL county champions Gemini res-ponded strongly this week after some people questioned why the club missed the Welling-ton and Ilminster carnivals.

Ilminster-based Gemini made a winning return at Chard on October 14 after missing the two previous carnivals because its float, Kong Hey Fat Choi, was not ready.

Some have said Gemini should have ap-peared at Ilminster even if only as a walking entry, while others are boycotting the club's weekly paper collection.

This week, Gemini spokesman Gary Bea-ley said the club wanted to put the matter to rest once and for all.

Mr Bealey said: "Some people are being a little bit petty. Some people are getting really anti us and I do not want that to happen.

"We tried and tried to get out for Ilminster.

"People are saying 'why didn't you walk?' but we were working until about 6pm on the day to get ready. We were stressed right out."

Mr Bealey said members of Gemini came out to watch Ilminster Carnival after their last-ditch efforts to prepare their float failed.

He said: "All we wanted to do was enjoy the carnival. We watched the carnival and it was superb."

Mr Bealey said people who supported Gemini's paper collection should be proud of what they help the club achieve.

He said: "People who put out paper for us should look at our float and say, 'I helped with that'.

"When people say they are not going to put paper out, I do not know what they are talking about. People ought to be damned proud of what we have achieved.

"We have tried our best as county champions to put out a good cart and there are a heck of a lot of people who have worked to get it ready."