A community group that runs local festivals and holiday celebrations in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, has warned it may have to shut down unless more people step forward to help. The Carlton Community Events Group (CCEG) issued an urgent plea on February 4, 2026, stating that a lack of volunteers and funding has put future activities, including the popular Christmas lights and summer festivals, at risk of being cancelled.
The group is asking for at least 15 new volunteers to join its committee and is also looking for local shops to provide small donations of around £10. These funds are needed to cover basic costs like insurance and equipment for events held at the Richard Herrod Centre and local parks. According to local reporting in Gedling Eye, the group needs to decide whether the 2026 Summer Festival can go ahead by late March.
Carlton has been awarded a 10‑year, £20 million government‑backed regeneration package (delivery was scheduled to start in April 2026), but those funds are intended for buildings and town improvements rather than for running community activities. Gedling Borough Council provides permits and guidance for gatherings, but the day‑to‑day organisation and running costs for events are managed by the independent, volunteer‑led CCEG — volunteers who say they are now reaching a breaking point.
Organisers say the crisis is caused by long‑standing members retiring and a general drop in people offering their free time. National data (NCVO and the Community Life Survey) show formal volunteering has fallen to historically low levels in recent years; analysts point to workplace pressures and wider economic factors that reduce the time people can give to unpaid activity. Without fresh help and small business support, the group says the town could lose the gatherings that help local shops and keep the community together.
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