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Donated benches unveiled by charity at the heart of the Newstead Village community.

Three new benches have been donated to The Newstead Centre by Jigsaw Homes working with Jewsons Partnership Solutions.

Gedling Eye spoke with Sandra Johnson, Centre manager at The Newstead Centre about the donation who said: “It came about from a discussion with Jigsaw Homes, showing them around the Newstead Centre one day we were able to discuss areas of support they would look into to see if they could help support us as we are a Charity.

“One of those areas was the Courtyard area outside our Courtyard cafe on-site that had very old and falling apart outside furniture.

Pictured: The new benches at The Newstead centre (PHOTO: Facebook)

“As a result Jigsaw Homes very kindly working with Jewsons Partnership Solutions donated the Newstead Centre some brand new picnic table and benches to transform the Courtyard area to make it a more welcoming area for visitors and the community to the Newstead Centre.”

Sandra added “We are so grateful for all their support and help for the Newstead Centre as it helps us offer better services to be able to support the community and visitors to the Centre.”

The centre offerings include a community food pantry, arts and crafts workshops, benefits sessions, a cafe (5-star hygiene rating, breast friendly accredited & dog friendly) and excellent facilities for anyone looking for a decent sized hall for an event.

The centre that sits at the heart of the Newstead Village community can be found at Tilford Road Newstead Village Nottinghamshire NG15 0BS and is also located only three minutes from the main Midland mainline train network with excellent transport links between Nottingham & Mansfield.

Further information including contact details can be found on their website HERE or their social channels HERE.

Letters: Gedling Country Park becoming ‘pointless’

Our readers from across the borough give their weekly take on the biggest issues impacting Gedling and beyond.

Some letters refer to past correspondence which can be found by clicking here. Join the debate by emailing letters@gedlingeye.co.uk and put ‘Letters’ in the subject line.

Names and addresses will be witheld by request but must be included on the email.

What will be left of country park?

Having a Gedling Country Park is pointless.

Each week you see more planning proposals being submitted that want to take up more of its green space so it seems like its slowly being eroded. They should have just built houses on the old pit land in the first place rather than waste taxpayer money on a park that seems like a temporary arrangement.

Since it was created housing estates have cropped up, a road has been slapped through it and now I hear there could even be a supermarket.

‘Country Park’? Gedling Green more like.

T Potts,
Gedling

Pub surge plan will damage industry further

I can’t believe Stonegate plan to charge more in their pubs for a pint during busy times.

The industry is suffering as it is with many pubs closing and blaming this on lack of custom. Do they really think charging more is the answer? They need to be looking at ways of reducing the price of a pint if they want people to come through the doors.

We have lost of good pubs and clubs in the borough recently, with the Crossing Club in Carlton the latest to go. I just hope those remaining don’t become inspired by this daft plan as it will only lead to closures and more Lidl supermarkets taking their place.

J Kane,
Carlton

Calverton ‘forgotten’ by council

All I ever read in Gedling Eye is about money being spent in Arnold. This week it was new toilets. They’ve just had an AMP and still it needs more.

Spare a thought for Calverton. Nothing has been spent here but we have to give up our land and put pressure on our schools, doctors and leisure centre with new housing that I am sure helps pay to improve Arnold.

What about us? Why are we being forgotten?

Name and address withheld on request

Concerns raised over plans to turn Arnold care home into 30-bed HMO

Concerns have been raised over ‘anti-social behaviour’ and ‘noise’ after it was revealed a former Arnold care home could now be turned into a 30-bedroomed HMO.

Proposals to change the use of Ernehale Lodge Nursing Home, Furlong Street, Arnold to a 30-bedroom house in multiple occupation have been submitted to Gedling Borough Council.

The application has been submitted by Peter Johnson Associates of Nottingham acting as agents on behalf of Arnold Point Limited.

The design and access statement completed by Peter Johnson Associates submitted to accompany a full planning application advises that Ernehale Lodge is a purpose built care home facility registered with CQC for 30 residents with nursing care requirements. They are  housed in 10 single bedrooms and 10 twin rooms.

The current proposal is for a 30 bed-HMO. The site area is 1178m2.

Pictured: Before and after front elevation proposals (Courtesy of Gedling Borough Council planning)

Planning documents advise that there is existing on-site car parking to the rear of the building (8 no. spaces) however there are no plans for additional parking at the property.

The design and access statement suggests that the future users are not expected to be car owners or users and thus secure cycle storage is provided with the proximity to the town centre and bus routes offering increased options for travel.

The planning application proposes 15 cycle spaces would be created.

Planning documents also state that pre-application advice has been sought from Gedling Borough Council for a change of use from care home (Class C2) to 30 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis).

The conclusions of the pre-application advice are stated in the planning documentation as being ‘generally positive’ and that concerns relating to waste, noise and anti-social behaviour will be addressed by firm management of the project.’

Planning documents also advise that changes to the existing building are limited principally to internal re-arrangements.

External changes include the removal of the canopy and blocking up of the access at the existing entrance and a door is proposed to be inserted to the South elevation to provide a new entrance to the development.

Further details regarding Planning Application 2023/0605 can be accessed HERE.

Shelves start to empty as closure looms for Wilko store in Carlton

These pictures show the sight greeting shoppers at Wilkos in Carlton as shelves begin to empty with the high street retailer now preparing for closure.

Stock is still available but bare shelves and “Everything Must Go” posters are visible at the back of the store on Carlton Square.

Posters on the front of the store state it will now close in seven days (Thursday, September 21).

PICTURED: Posters outside the store on Carlton Square state it will now close in seven days (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
PICTURED: Shelves in the store have begun emptying (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)

It follows the collapse of the high street chain which fell into administration in August.

Administrators PwC have confirmed the closure of the firm’s remaining 400 stores and the loss of 9,100 staff after attempts to save the company came to an end.

PHOTO: Gedling Eye

Homeware shop the Range has confirmed it will buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property.

The Range’s deal means the Wilko name will not disappear from high streets for good, with the retailer confirming that it will sell Wilko products “in-store”.

B&M and Poundland have also bought a number of stores.

More than 10,000 Wilko workers are set to lose their jobs by next month as a result of the chain’s collapse.

TONY CAVE COLUMN: Matlock service cancellation has impacted Carlton passenger numbers

STATION UPDATES

CARLTON STATION: This Spring I was unable to attend to the station garden, apart from pulling out weeds, but last year’s plants had seeded, so we ended up with a better display than if I had put new plants in! Being a fairly wet Summer also helped.

HS2 THROUGH CARLTON – The government are studying ways of extending HS2 from East Midlands Parkway station to Leeds. Current plans are that HS2 trains will run on conventional lines from there. Among the suggestions is to extend HS2 Nottingham services through Newark to join the East Coast Main Line; to use the Erewash Valley line through Taton and Chesterfield or to revert to the original plan of a completely new line.

BOOKING OFFICE CLOSURES

Should this go ahead, it would mean that only Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, London St. Pancras, Nottingham and Sheffield EMR stations would retain their booking offices. Locally Beeston, Long Eaton and Newark (both stations) would lose their booking offices, with staff transferred to assisting passengers at the station in some places. There have certainly been a lot of objections to this proposal.

PASSENGER NUMBERS

These are slowly increasing to pre-Covid levels and four railway companies have actually improved on 2019/20 numbers. In first place is LNER, followed by Hull Trains and Grand Central, all of which operate on the East Coast Main Line. In 4th place is EMR with numbers in the early summer up to 101%. In view of some days lost to strikes, this is all the more remarkable.

At Carlton we have lost a number of travellers who used to like going to Matlock, but now we do not have direct services and the connections at Nottingham are not good, these have reverted to their cars. It’s the most asked question, ‘Will we get the Matlock trains back?’ I have to say that there are no plans for this. We have also lost the direct hourly service to Attenborough, another place which was popular for the nature reserve. There is a 10.20 Leicester service on Saturdays which calls there, but when I have seen this train it has been full and standing. In fact, if you are going to Leicester it pays to catch the 10.06 Crewe train and change at Nottingham, as most of those on the 10.20 alight there.

Travel patterns have changed and there is less commuting. However, leisure travel has increased to offset this and Friday and Sunday are now the busiest days. Let us hope that we see an improved Sunday service at both our stations.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS

NEW STATION: There are calls for a new station at Clay Cross which is situated where the line from Toton joins the line from Derby via Ambergate. The original station closed, along with the other local stations between Nottingham and Sheffield on Jan 2. 1967. Since then Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Alfreton and Dronfield have all reopened.

FARE INCREASE: It has been announced that rail fares will increase from 24th March 2024, although this will be below the inflation rate.

MISPRONUNCIATION: More than 12 stations across Northern England are to be re-recorded in a bid to correct years of mispronunciation. Perhaps EMR could correct Sillerby to Sileby! although at the moment train announcements are not happening at Carlton and Netherfield.

LIFTS AT BEESTON? One or two problems of obtaining the land needed seem to have been resolved. Their local MP says the station is “one step closer” to getting lifts. The other problem was obtaining the money for the scheme, but the Chancellor announced in 2020 that Beeston was to be awarded money from the Government’s “Access for All” scheme.

RAILWAY HERITAGE NEWS

GEDLING STATION TRANSFORMATION: A bid for lottery funding to continue the restor­ation work has been turned down. However volunteers hope to submit another lottery funding bid in October, as the National Lottery Heritage fund have given advice on how a further bid should be submitted. Recent work has included demolishing the gym, which was unsafe, turning a five-a-side football pitch into a garden space. Volunteers for the project are welcome.

BENNERLEY VIADUCT: An application has been made to construct a visitor centre and improved access to this popular walking and cycling route over the viaduct.

LOWDHAM SIGNAL BOX: Open days in September are as follows:- 9th and 10th, 16th and 17th from 2pm to 4pm. Also Tuesday evening 12th from 8pm to ·9pm. To book a visit go to www.eventbrite.com and search for ‘Lowdham’. Tor dates in October tel: 0771 807 7584 or signalbox@lowdhamstation.me.uk

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF SKEGNESS STATION: At the end of July a celebration took place marking the 150th anniversary, with decorative bunting, balloons, children’s goodie bags, buckets and spades, ice cream, birthday cake, and a giant deckchair featuring Jolly Fisherman (Miles). Staff and students from Giles Academy created a special piece of commemorative artwork to mark the occasion.

Skegness survived the 1970 closure of lines in East Lincolnshire. I have a Great Northern Railway handbill, which I obtained through auction, which is dated June 1870 and details Saturday to Monday excursions to the ‘Lincolnshire Watering Places’ (Now known as seaside resorts). Trains departed from Nottingham London Road station, the first stop being Boston for Trieston Shore, Burgh for Skegness and Alford for Mablethorpe and Sutton,. the train terminating at Cleethorpes. It was 3 years before the line to Skegness opened. First class to Burgh was 8/- (40p) and in covered carriages 5/- (25’p).

You can email Tony Cave for more information about the local railways at tonycavedbs@hotmail.com

Gedling borough primary school pupils invited to activity day to learn about democracy

Children from a number of Gedling borough primary schools are being invited to take part an activity day to learn about local democracy.

Gedling Borough Council is hosting its first Democracy Day tomorrow (15) aimed at engaging with young people about how a council works and the importance of them taking part in future elections.

Primary school children will be given a guided tour of the council chamber, meet councillors, including the Mayor of Gedling, and take part in a debate on how the Council could achieve its target of becoming net-zero by 2030.

Sixth form politics students will also be invited to meet councillors and the Mayor. They will be taking part in an interactive exercise to look at how Council budgets work and will also see a presentation from the Youth Council Mayor, who will be taking part in a special Q&A to highlight their work.

As well as these school visits, there will also be an information stand on the day, in the main Civic Centre foyer to promote the council’s democratic services to people visiting the Council. There will be details about how people can sign up to vote, the Voter ID rules as well as a form to register interest to join the Youth Council. 

The event is part of an international day of celebration that serves as a platform to spread awareness about the democratic process, what local councillors do and how residents can contribute their ideas to local government. 

Councillor Kathryn Fox, Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability said: “Democracy Day is a unique chance for our local youth to gain valuable insights into democracy, local government, and important council topics such as environmental sustainability. It’s so important that we are empowering our future leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in our democratic society.

“We look forward to hosting these talented young individuals and hope that Democracy Day will inspire them to become active and engaged citizens of Gedling Borough.”

Warning to Gedling borough residents as scammers try to lure in online shoppers with fake Wilko discount websites

Nottinghamshire County Council has issued a warning to Gedling borough residents telling them to steer clear of a raft of counterfeit Wilko websites that are trying to deceive shoppers by falsely presenting significantly discounted products from the collapsed retailer.

Several fake sites have sprung up supposedly offering hefty discounts on Wilko goods.

Adverts for these fake sites have also been doing the rounds on social media.

Since going into administration Wilko has stopped selling goods online, and is also no longer offering home delivery or click and collect services.

The warning was issued today by Nottinghamshire County Council.

A spokesman for the council said: “Don’t get caught out by fake Wilko websites offering huge discounts on clearance stock.

“Fraudsters have reportedly been using adverts on social media to tempt people, but clinking on the links will take you to a scam site that will try to steal your bank details.”

PwC, who has been appointed as the company’s administrator, is working to try and close as many of the fake sites as possible.

“We have been made aware of a number of fake Wilko websites which are offering Wilko products at heavily discounted prices,” a PwC spokesperson said.

“These websites are not genuine and have been set up to scam users, the only legitimate Wilko website is www.wilko.com.

“We are in the process of working with the relevant authorities to have these websites removed. We would like to remind our customers that all Wilko sales are now in-store and you are unable to purchase items online.”

Maximising ROI on Paid Ads: Why Regular Audits Matter

The world of online advertising is dynamic, with platforms constantly evolving and users’ behaviours and preferences changing over time. In this landscape, advertisers need to ensure they are getting the most value from every pound spent. One of the most effective ways to guarantee this is through regular audits of your paid ad campaigns.

In this article, you’ll find out more about why these audits are crucial and how they can maximise your Return on Investment (ROI).

1. Staying Relevant in a Changing Landscape

With digital marketing, what worked yesterday might not work today. Search engine algorithms evolve, social media platforms introduce new ad formats, and consumer behaviours change. Regularly auditing your paid ads ensures that your strategies and content align with these shifting sands.

By analysing your campaign data and staying updated with platform changes, you can tailor your approach. This helps keep your content fresh, engaging, and, most importantly, relevant to your target audience.

2. Optimising Budget Allocation

Financial resource allocation is a crucial component of any marketing strategy. With regular audits, you can assess which campaigns are delivering the desired results and which ones are not. This insight allows you to redirect funds from underperforming ads to those with a higher ROI, ensuring that every penny is utilised to its utmost potential.

3. Enhancing Ad Quality and Performance

Ad platforms, especially Google Ads and Facebook Ads, use quality scores and relevance scores to determine the visibility and cost of your ads. These scores are influenced by factors like click-through rates (CTR), landing page experience, and ad relevance.

Regular audits enable you to monitor these scores, allowing for timely tweaks to ad copy, design, or landing pages. Improved ad quality not only enhances visibility but also reduces cost per click (CPC), boosting your ROI.

4. Understanding Audience Behaviour

An in-depth understanding of your audience is fundamental to the success of any marketing campaign. Audits provide insights into how your audience interacts with your ads, which demographics are most responsive, and which user behaviours drive conversions.

By continuously examining these metrics, advertisers can refine their targeting, creating more personalised and effective campaigns that resonate with their audience.

5. Identifying New Opportunities

Beyond assessing current performance, regular audits can also unearth new opportunities. Whether it’s an emerging platform, a fresh ad format, or an untapped audience segment, audits allow marketers to spot and leverage these prospects ahead of the competition.

6. Ensuring Compliance with Platform Policies

Ad platforms frequently update their policies. Non-compliance can result in penalties, including increased CPCs or, worse, ad disapprovals. Regularly auditing your campaigns ensures that your ads remain compliant, avoiding any potential pitfalls or disruptions to your campaigns.

7. Learning and Iterating

The beauty of digital marketing lies in its measurability. Every click, view, and conversion can be tracked, analysed, and used to inform future strategies. By auditing your campaigns consistently, you cultivate a culture of continuous learning. These learnings are invaluable, providing a knowledge base to build upon, and ensuring that each campaign is better than the last.

In Conclusion

Paid advertising is an investment. Like all investments, it demands diligent oversight to ensure optimal returns. To truly harness the power of digital advertising and maximise your ROI, these audits cannot be an afterthought; they need to be an integral part of your marketing strategy. If you’re unsure where to begin or how to conduct a thorough audit, professional help is always available.

Living Life to the Fullest: Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle

The allure of a life bursting with energy, radiant health, and an indomitable spirit is not a far-fetched dream. Every individual holds the potential to craft their reality, blending elements of wellness, fitness, and conscious choices. It’s not about sudden transformations but the culmination of daily habits, choices, and mindsets that lead to a life lived fully and vibrant in every hue.

Too often, the chaos of modern existence clouds our vision, making it challenging to see the path to genuine health and happiness. But, beneath the layers of hurried routines and the cacophony of digital distractions, there lies a simple truth: living life to the fullest is achievable. The journey towards this radiant zenith starts with understanding the foundations of a healthy lifestyle.

Embracing movement, nourishing the body, and mastering the art of tranquillity are but a few pillars that hold the architecture of a fulfilling life. Let’s explore these pillars further, guiding you towards the epitome of health and wellness.

Embracing Movement and Energy: The Power of Exercise

The human body is a marvel designed for motion and activity. By engaging in regular exercise, we not only stoke the fires of physical health but also ignite a sense of wellbeing that permeates every facet of our lives. Movement, be it a brisk morning walk or an intense workout session, releases endorphins – nature’s own elixir for happiness and stress relief.

But exercise isn’t merely about building muscle or achieving an enviable physique. It’s a celebration of what our bodies can achieve, a tribute to their resilience and potential. Regular physical activity enhances cardiovascular health, boosts cognitive functions, and fortifies mental fortitude.

Moreover, establishing a consistent exercise routine fosters discipline, a trait that reverberates positively in other areas of life. The benefits are manifold, echoing in the clarity of thought, the spring in one’s step, and the exuberance with which one faces life’s challenges.

Harnessing Calm in Chaos: Strategies to Manage Stress

In the symphony of life, stress is an inevitable note. Yet, how we respond to it determines its impact on our health and wellbeing. It’s essential to acknowledge that stress isn’t inherently negative; it’s the chronic, unmanaged bouts that wreak havoc on our holistic health.

Cultivating a sanctuary of calm within can equip us to navigate the tempests of daily life. Deep breathing exercises, for instance, can serve as an anchor, grounding us during moments of heightened anxiety. Meditation, on the other hand, offers a deeper dive into the realms of the mind, fostering awareness, peace, and resilience.

Moreover, hobbies and passions can act as buffers, absorbing the shocks of daily stressors. Whether it’s the strum of a guitar, the rhythm of poetry, or the brush strokes on a canvas, these pursuits transport us to a haven of tranquillity. In this sanctuary, stress morphs from an adversary into a fleeting visitor, reminding us of the beauty of balance.

Nourishing Your Body: The Art of Eating Healthily

Every morsel of food consumed is not just sustenance; it’s a powerful statement about how we value our health. Eating healthily is akin to fueling a car, providing it with the highest quality, and it runs at its optimal level. Food is the body’s fuel, and its quality resonates in our energy, mood, and overall vitality.

Incorporating a balanced diet brimming with colourful fruits, verdant vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains ensures that our body receives the vast spectrum of nutrients it craves. But it’s not solely about the types of food; it’s also about the rhythm. Listening to our body, understanding its signals of hunger and fullness, and savouring each bite can transform the act of eating into a mindful meditation.

Contrary to popular belief, healthy eating isn’t restrictive; it’s expansive. It’s a journey of exploring a plethora of flavours, textures, and culinary wonders that nature offers. By nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods, we don’t just add years to our lives, but life to our years.

Breaking Free: Letting Go of Harmful Habits

Every individual carries a unique set of habits, some that uplift and others that tether. Recognising and letting go of detrimental habits is the first step towards unlocking a life brimming with potential. Whether it’s the occasional excessive indulgence in sugary treats or the lure of the couch over a refreshing walk, these habits, over time, can dim the vibrant glow of health.

The path to breaking free from these chains doesn’t necessarily lie in sheer willpower alone. It’s about understanding the underlying triggers, replacing negative patterns with positive ones, and seeking support when needed. For instance, instead of suppressing a sugar craving, one could reach for a piece of fruit or a healthy snack, gradually rewiring the brain to seek healthier rewards.

Leveraging Modern Help: Aids for Your Weight Loss Journey

The journey towards optimal weight can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. While dedication and consistent effort are pivotal, there are modern aids that can provide a much-needed boost. One such aid that has garnered attention in the weight loss community is Orlistat.

So, how does Orlistat work? At its essence, Orlistat is designed to inhibit the absorption of fats from the diet, thereby reducing caloric intake. Numerous Orlistat reviews tout its efficacy, especially when paired with a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, while Orlistat and other weight loss tablets can be effective, it’s crucial to approach them with a holistic mindset. They aren’t magic bullets but tools that, when used judiciously and under proper guidance, can support one’s weight loss goals.

It’s also worth noting the presence of other aids like appetite suppressants and diet pills. The key is to find what aligns best with one’s body and goals, always prioritising health and wellbeing above all.

Rejuvenation Through Rest: The Need for Quality Sleep

Sleep isn’t just a nightly routine; it’s the body’s natural way of healing, regenerating, and recharging. A good night’s sleep has the power to revitalise the mind, fortify the immune system, and bolster emotional wellbeing. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of modern life, sleep often takes a backseat.

Creating an environment conducive to sleep – a cool, dark room, a comfortable mattress, and a ritualistic winding-down routine can transform the sleep experience. By prioritising rest, we aren’t just investing in our immediate health but ensuring a reservoir of energy and vitality for the days ahead.

Forging Bonds: The Essence of Strong Relationships

As social beings, our relationships form the tapestry of our lives. The bonds we nurture, be it with family, friends, or colleagues, play a pivotal role in our mental and emotional wellbeing. Strong relationships offer support during trying times, elicit joy in moments of celebration, and provide a sense of belonging in a vast world.

The beauty of human connections lies not in mere numbers but in the depth and authenticity of these ties. Engaging in open communication, practising empathy, and investing time in understanding and nurturing these relationships can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life experience.

Preserving Your Inner Sanctuary: Mental Wellbeing Matters

The quest for a life lived to the fullest isn’t just a physical journey; it’s intrinsically tied to our mental wellbeing. Our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape our perception and, in turn, our reality. Cultivating a mindset of positivity, resilience, and gratitude can act as a beacon, guiding us through the darkest tunnels.

Investing in our mental health is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Activities like meditation, journaling, or simply engaging in introspective reflection can offer clarity and peace. Additionally, seeking professional help or counselling, when required, is a testament to strength, not weakness.

Can Carlton Town FC make history in the FA Cup 2nd round qualifying?

Victory would mean Carlton equalled their best ever FA Cup performance by reaching the 3rd round qualifying. It would also be the first time that the Millers have won four FA Cup ties in the same season, given that they started this campaign in the Extra-Preliminary round. And, if they were to achieve the unthinkable and come back from the West Midlands with a victory, it would be a first ever win against step 2 opposition.

Carlton Town were known as Sneinton throughout the 20th century and they first competed in the FA Cup in 1907-08, entering the competition over 20 seasons before ceasing to enter following the 1930-31 campaign. They began with a 4-0 Preliminary Round defeat against Grantham Avenue and that set the precedent for a fairly dismal run in what has become the world’s most famous cup competition.

Their first win came at the third attempt thanks to a 2-1 Preliminary round win against Hinckley Utd in 1909-10 before being knocked out in the 1st round qualifying by Eastwood Rangers. The followings season they won again, 5-2 against New Hucknall Colliery, before going out after two replays against Notts Jardines. It then took the Millers 10 seasons to win even a single game in the Cup, albeit that was a 4-1 success against Basford Utd in 1925-26 and so was perhaps worth waiting for.

Sneinton lost at the first time of asking in each of the following five campaigns before ceasing to enter after 1930-31.

73 years later, and now called Carlton Town, it was Tommy Brookbanks at the helm as the Millers, newly promoted to the Northern Counties East League Division 1, re-entered the FA Cup and took up where Sneinton had left off with a 3-0 Extra-Preliminary round defeat against Shirebrook Town.

The following year however Carlton had their first proper run in the Cup, beating Congleton and Westfields before going out in the 2nd round qualifying to Moor Green. That was the furthest Carlton had gone in the competition and, after four further seasons with only one win, Brookbanks’s side equalled that achievement in 2009-10 by beating New Mills and Glapwell before defeat in a 2nd qualifying round replay against step 2 Nuneaton Town.

That was Brookbanks’s final season at the helm until he returned with Mark Harvey in 2019. Les McJannet took over and he too led the Millers to the 2nd round qualifying in each of his first two seasons before the runs were ended by Matlock Town and Hednesford Town respectively.

Carlton went one better in 2012-13 after wins against Oadby Town, Rainworth Miners Welfare and New Mills sent them into the 3rd round qualifying for the first time. Bradford (Park Avenue) ended the run that season with a 3-1 victory at Stoke Lane.

The following year Carlton repeated the feat with wins against Borrowash Victoria, Brigg Town and Matlock Town before Vauxhall Motors also won 3-1 at Stoke Lane in the 3rd round qualifying. But in each of those two seasons the Millers entered the competition in the Preliminary round, meaning the three wins the side have achieved so far this season have equalled the runs of those best-ever seasons in the FA Cup.

Since 2013-2014 Carlton have not progressed beyond the 1st round qualifying until this year and have not won more than one game in any one season (excluding a covid-related walkover victory), again until this year. But after wins against Quorn, Maltby Main and Nuneaton Borough, Brookbanks and Harvey’s 2023-24 Carlton vintage have already equalled the achievements of Carlton sides going back 116 years. Saturday provides them with the chance to go one better, and make their own slice of Carlton Town history.

Go for it Millers!