NEWS

Scrambler bike seized by police in Ballymena Monday 05 October 2026 Police have seized five e-scooters and a scrambler after following up on concerns over their use in Ballymena at the weekend. The riders were cautioned for several offences, including having no insurance, as Ballymena Neighbourhood Policing Team responded to concerns raised locally. Police issue warning over public use Police have reminded people that e-scooters cannot legally be used on public roads or footp

Pictured seated are, Denver McMeekin, Chairman of Harryville Mens Shed and Stephen Reynolds, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust, alongside members of Harryville Mens Shed. Monday 05 October 2026 Harryville Men’s Shed has seen its membership more than double in three years, with local men describing how friendship, new skills and a sense of belonging have transformed their confidence and wellbeing. The Ballymena organisation now has 44 members after recording 144% growth, alongs

Alex O’Hara, centre, from The Castle Kitchen and Bar, Galgorm Collection, was crowned Cocktail Bartender of the Year at the inaugural Northern Ireland Hospitality School Cocktail Competition. Alex is pictured alongside judges, from left, Ashley Douglas, Director of Operations at the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Paula McIntyre, celebrity chef, Paul Flynn, MCM Spirits and Giffards and Ryan Brown, Edward Dillon. Monday 05 October 2026 A Galgorm bartender has been crowne

Jailed: 22-year-old Ballymena man Neil Baguley Monday 05 October 2026 A 22-year-old Ballymena man has been sentenced to four years over his involvement in serious disorder in the town in June 2025, including an attack on police officers and vehicles with a petrol bomb. Neil Baguley was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Monday for the offences of riot and criminal damage. He will spend two years in custody, with the remaining two years on licence. Petrol bomb attack captured

Disney magic creates unforgettable memories for 20 Northern Ireland children, including Karen Farrell and daughter Anna (4) from Ballymena. Monday 05 October 2026 Children from Ballymena, Antrim, Ballyclare, and Toome were among 20 young people from across Northern Ireland given the chance to experience the magic of Disneyland Paris during a special trip for families living with serious health conditions. The children, who are living with life-limiting or life-threatening con

Jason Lorimer, Manufacturing Director (left), and John McLeister, MD Sales, UK and Ireland, with Tracy Brabin. Monday 05 October 2026 A new fleet of almost 200 zero-emission buses destined for West Yorkshire is beginning to take shape at Wrightbus in Ballymena, ahead of a major overhaul of the region’s public transport network. The first buses were viewed on the production line by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin during a visit to the Ballymena factory, where the vehicles ar

The newly launched Women’s Aid shop in Ballymena Monday 05 October 2026 Women’s Aid has officially opened a new shop in Ballymena, giving local people another way to support its work with women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The new store at 23–25 Henry Street will sell new and nearly new women’s clothing and accessories alongside books, furniture and other donated items, with proceeds helping support the charity’s services. New town centre shop Mayor of Mid and Ea

Five-year-old Maggie Black Monday 05 October 2026 Five-year-old Maggie Black’s name will be carried on Air Ambulance NI’s new aircraft after a Glenarm darts team raised another £3,740 in her memory. The Coast Road Dart Team’s third annual fundraiser has taken its total support for the charity to £13,400 — an amount Air Ambulance NI says is enough to help provide pre-hospital care at the scene for at least three patients attended by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HE

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland at the scene of the collision on the Antrim coast. (Image: Jason Bain) Sunday 04 October 2026 A woman has been taken to hospital with injuries believed to be serious following a single-vehicle road traffic collision in Glenarm. Police received a report of the collision in the Coast Road area at approximately 1.30pm on Sunday, 4 October. Emergency services attend (Image: Jason Bain) Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Northe

Councillor Aaron Skinner, Chairman of the Mid and East Antrim Disability Lived Experience Group is pictured with the volunteer members and council officers at the inaugural meeting of the group. Sunday 04 October 2026 Twelve residents with lived experience of disability are to help shape how Mid and East Antrim Borough Council designs its services, facilities, policies and projects. A direct voice in Council decisions The new Disability Lived Experience Group (DLEG) held its

Northern Trust dietitian Erin Turner Sunday 04 October 2026 People eligible for a free flu vaccine can attend walk-in clinics across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area from Monday 5 October, including a weekly clinic at Braid Valley Hospital in Ballymena. The Trust is encouraging those eligible to take up the vaccine as winter approaches, warning that while flu is a common infection, it can spread easily and leave some people seriously unwell. Vaccination remains

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council received two complaints in relation to the opening of a wrong burial plot at one of its cemeteries, a report to councillors has revealed. The council’s Complaints, Comments and Compliments report for quarter one, covering 1 April to 30 June 2026, was presented at a recent meeting of the Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid in Ballymena. Overall, the council received 99 complaints during the quarter, compared wit

Sunday 04 October 2026 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council recorded 2,424 days lost to staff sickness in the final four months of 2025/26, although average absence fell below its target and improved on the previous year. Councillors were told that 155 employees were absent between 1 December 2025 and 31 March 2026, with mental health-related absence accounting for the largest number of days lost. The figures were presented to the council’s Corporate Resources, Policy and Gove

Saturday 03 October 2026 Gruffalo Granny by Julia Donaldson has taken the number one spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena, as the store celebrates the completion of its refit and welcomes readers in to discover its refreshed look. Rebecca Yarros’ Threshing Day enters the chart at number two following its release, while last week’s bestseller, Charles Spencer’s Swan Song, remains popular in third place. The latest Top 10 offers an especially atmospheric selection for autumn, with ho

Saturday 03 October 2026 Farmers’ Choir NI has been crowned Making Music UK Group of the Year 2026 after winning a public vote, bringing national recognition to a choir which has become an important source of friendship and connection for farming and rural communities. The cross-community choir, whose members travel to weekly rehearsals at Ballymena Academy, was selected from five groups shortlisted by a Making Music panel before receiving the most votes from the public. Maki

A fantastic effort by the Ballymena Academy teams. Saturday 03 October 2026 Ballymena Academy made a perfect start to their Netball Northern Ireland League campaign, with all four teams securing victories away to Belfast Royal Academy on Friday. Four wins on opening day The Minor 1 and Minor 2 sides delivered particularly commanding performances, recording 22–1 and 28–1 victories respectively. Minor 3 also began their campaign on a winning note with a 4–1 result, before Junio

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has congratulated our further education colleges and students after they delivered a world-class performance on the global stage, bringing home a gold medal, bronze medal and five medals for excellence from WorldSkills in Shanghai. The Minister met some of the competitors and college representatives at Parliament Buildings before they headed to Shanghai for the ‘Skills Olympics’. Friday 02 October 2026 Ballymena’s Joe Wilton has been reco

Hannah McDowell, Centra, Phoenix Antrim Road, Ballymena, with Lauren Stewart, Green Field Marketing Friday 02 October 2026 Two Ballymena convenience stores have won prizes worth a combined £1,200 through a drinks supplier’s retailer incentive scheme. Centra on Antrim Road secured one of AG Barr’s top £1,000 prizes, while Centra on Frosses Road received £200. MACE in Cloughmills also picked up a £100 prize. The stores are among 12 Northern Ireland retailers to have shared £5,2

Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen is pictured with representatives of Connect Fund partner organisations Bbeyond and Belfast School of Art during a visit to Bbeyond's Belfast headquarters. L-R: Artist Programme Manager at Bbeyond Bronagh Lawson; Lecturer at Belfast School of Art Dr Sandra Johnston, Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen and Artist Administrator at Bbeyond Zara Lyness. Friday 02 October 2026 Community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland and Great

Carnlough Harbour car park Thursday 01 October 2026 A proposed £8,000 automated barrier at Carnlough Harbour car park would prevent vehicles entering between 10pm and 7am following residents’ complaints about “late night anti-social behaviour”. Mid and East Antrim councillors have approved a public consultation on the proposal, alongside a potential redesign that would increase coach parking but reduce the number of car parking spaces. Under the barrier proposal, vehicles alr