NEWS

Gillian Robinson, chief executive of Women’s Aid, Arlene Creighton, Women’s Aid, and Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick Saturday 07 November 2026 New pyjamas are being collected across Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough to bring comfort to women and children affected by domestic abuse this Christmas, following donations of more than 900 pairs last year. The Women’s Aid ABCLN Christmas Pyjama Appeal supports families living in refuge accommodation and those receiving help in the communi

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon with nine-year-old ‘Viking Twins’ Hunter and Crixus Crawford Saturday 07 November 2026 Nine-year-old brothers Hunter and Crixus Crawford from Broughshane have become Northern Ireland Under-12 judo champions — little more than a year after taking up the sport. Known locally as the ‘Viking Twins’, the brothers won gold in their respective weight divisions at the Northern Ireland Judo Championships and have earned places on the N

Saturday 07 November 2026 Urgent dermatology waiting times of almost nine years in the Northern Trust amount to a “catastrophic failure”, North Antrim MP Jim Allister has said after a constituent’s case exposed the scale of delays facing patients. The Trust confirmed in a letter dated 3 November that urgent waiting times were approximately eight years and nine months — and increasing because of ongoing capacity problems. Its response concerned a woman first referred for speci

Matthew Arbuckle from Ballymena, believes his placement year and final year research project are helping him prepare for the future of farming. Saturday 07 November 2026 Ballymena agriculture student Matthew Arbuckle hopes to continue the pedigree cattle breeding work established by his late father while improving the sustainability and profitability of the family farm. Matthew, from Kells, is entering the final year of his BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture degree at CAFRE’s

Phil Owen, Sales Director (left) and John McLeister, MD Sales, UK and Ireland for Wrightbus. Saturday 07 November 2026 Ballymena bus manufacturer Wrightbus has unveiled a new three-door electric double-decker, with Hong Kong operator Citybus having ordered 17 vehicles in a multi-million-pound deal. The Electroliner 6x2 tri-axle bus was presented at Singapore Urban Mobility Week as the company also exhibited in Birmingham, showcasing both new electric buses and a diesel bus co

Eamon and Nadelle McKillop of McKillop's SPAR, Fry's Road, receiving Involvement in the Community Award from Lee McFarland of Cranswick Country Foods. Tuesday 3 November 2026 A Ballymena convenience store which has spent almost four decades supporting local schools, sports clubs and charities has been recognised for its contribution to the community. McKillop’s SPAR received the Involvement in the Community Award at the 24th annual Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, held a

20-year-old Ballymena man Calum Bell Thursday 5 November 2026 A 20-year-old Ballymena man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in the June 2025 riots, including attacks on residential properties during the serious disorder that gripped the town. Calum Bell was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Thursday (5 November) after being convicted of riot, intentionally encouraging or assisting riot, and burglary with intent to cause unlawful damage. He receiv

Apprentices during their visit to the Wrightbus factory in Ballymena Thursday 5 November 2026 Thirty apprentices from one of the UK’s largest transport groups have visited Wrightbus in Ballymena to discover how buses are built, as a major partnership between the two companies delivers new opportunities for skills development and training. The week-long visit brought apprentices from the Go-Ahead Group to the Northern Ireland manufacturing facility, giving them first-hand expe

Thursday 5 November 2026 Ballymena town centre will be filled with Christmas lights, decorated tractors and festive cheer on Saturday 5 December as the Santa Run returns, raising funds for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Organisers are anticipating a record number of participating vehicles, with tractors and other vehicles dressed in Christmas lights and decorations set to travel through the town in an evening cavalcade. The event, hosted by Ballymena Business Improvemen

Jailed: 21-year-old Ballymena man Jacob Sharp Wednesday 4 November 2026 A 21-year-old Ballymena man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after attacking police officers with bricks during the serious disorder that engulfed the town in June 2025. Jacob Sharp, from Ballymena, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Wednesday 4 November after being convicted of riot. He will serve 14 months in custody, with the remaining 14 months on licence. Police footage captured sustaine

The local constables with Baby Benedykt Wednesday 4 November 2026 Two Ballymena police officers found themselves taking on an unexpected role when they helped deliver a baby in the back of a car after being flagged down by an expectant father in the early hours of the morning. The two constables were approached at around 3.30am on Friday 9 October, when it became clear there was no time for the family to reach hospital before their baby arrived. Instead, the officers stepped

Inset: Ulster Unionist Party Leader, North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows Tuesday 3 November 2026 Private sales of fireworks should be banned in Northern Ireland except in exceptional circumstances, with displays restricted to organised public events, Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has said. The proposal follows another Halloween period in which the impact of fireworks on pets and their owners has come under scrutiny, with Mr Burrows arguing that unpredictable explosion

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon presents Ahoghill community volunteer Wallace Elder with his award. Tuesday 3 November 2026 An Ahoghill volunteer has been recognised for his contribution to making Mid and East Antrim a greener and more welcoming place, as 19 individuals, schools and community groups were celebrated at this year’s Mid & East Antrim in Bloom Community Awards. Wallace Elder was named Volunteer of the Year at a special ceremony in Larne Marke

Tuesday 3 November 2026 The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has approved a further £2.16m in cost-cutting measures, bringing its total planned savings for 2026/27 to £52.16m, amid warnings that the latest proposals could lead to reductions in services. Despite the additional measures, the Trust still faces a £1.64m shortfall against its £53.8m savings target, which remains “unaddressed” in its financial plan for the current year. The Northern Trust provides health

CGI of Church Street, Ballymena showing a preliminary design of a new apartment complex, including ground floor retail space. (Image: ©Love Ballymena) Tuesday 03 November 2026 A major regeneration scheme in the heart of Ballymena has taken its next significant step, with a full planning application now lodged for 74 new homes, retained shops and a community hub at Church Street and Meeting House Lane. The application for Meeting House Mews follows the public consultation high

Tuesday 3 November 2026 Christmas shoppers searching for something a little different this festive season can discover a wonderful selection of handmade gifts, local crafts and seasonal treats when the annual Northern Ireland Hospice Christmas Fair returns to Ballymena next week. Organised by Ballymena Northern Ireland Hospice Support Group, the popular fundraising event takes place at Tullyglass House Hotel on Wednesday 11 November, bringing together 33 independent traders f

(L-R) South Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke pictured with Taylorstown preschool teacher Emma, Bannside Councillor Tyler Hoey, and Councillor Linda Clarke. Monday 2 November 2026 Taylorstown Cross-Community Pre-School has secured £8,500 in additional funding to help meet essential running costs, keep fees affordable and support early years education for local children. The funding was confirmed by South Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, who worked alongside Councillor Linda Clarke an

Pictured (L-R) Violet Best, John Costley, David Gilmore, General Manager Galgorm Resort & Spa, Jackie Neil, and Mark Kernohan, with Roberta Thompson sitting. Monday 2 November 2026 Centuries of local history preserved in the archives of Gracehill’s Moravian Church are set to benefit from a £10,000 funding commitment from Galgorm Collection, helping protect fragile documents and make their contents more accessible to future generations. The Ballymena-based hospitality group ha

Graffiti sprayed on Rasharkin Orange Hall in July Monday 2 November 2026 Members of an Orange lodge in Rasharkin say decades of sectarian attacks have left them afraid to celebrate their culture openly, with their hall targeted in 51 incidents over the past 30 years. The claims have prompted renewed scrutiny of the police response, with North Antrim MP Jim Allister demanding greater accountability from the PSNI after lodge members publicly described the impact of repeated int

Monday 02 November 2026 The Northern Trust is to receive £250,000 to strengthen local endometriosis services as part of a £1.95 million investment intended to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and support across Northern Ireland. The funding comes as women continue to face lengthy waits for gynaecology care, despite reductions reported by the Department of Health in outpatient waiting lists and waits for hospital treatment. Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which t