NEWS

Blue household recycling bins replaced in Antrim could soon find a new home in Mid and East Antrim. Members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Environment and Economy Committee were told at a meeting in March that a director would contact neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to make enquiries about the potential reuse of the wheelie bins. A triple-stack wheelie box system was rolled out to 25,000 households across the Antrim, Randalstown, Crumlin, Temple

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston The political fallout over Northern Ireland’s special educational needs summer schemes deepened today after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston launched a blistering attack in the Assembly, accusing ministers and officials of failing some of the most vulnerable children in society. In a strongly worded address, the North Antrim MLA said the decision to cancel the schemes — before a subsequent reversal — was “not simply an administrative mis-step” but

Claire McNaughton, Accommodation Certification Manager at Tourism NI with Anne Christie, Owner of The Railway Sleeper, which has been certified by Tourism NI   A historic railway building in Cullybackey that lay derelict for more than four decades has reached another major milestone after securing official certification from Tourism Northern Ireland. Set within the grounds of Cullybackey Railway Station, first opened in 1856, The Railway Sleeper stands as a remarkable example

“On the drive to Ballygally it was snowing and 0°C. In Ballygally thankfully the sun shone and we all had great fun. Like some others, I got wiped out with one large wave!” – Cllr Minford Mid and East Antrim’s Mayor has once again taken the plunge for charity, returning to the chilly waters of Ballygally Beach for a community sea swim that raised more than £350 for two vital causes. Councillor Jackson Minford braved the Irish Sea for the second time in support of his chosen

The Ballymena Business Centre team Ballymena Business Centre has paid a heartfelt tribute to one of the figures who helped shape its story, while unveiling ambitious plans aimed at driving fresh energy into the town centre and supporting future business growth across the wider area. At its 2026 Annual General Meeting, the organisation reflected on its legacy, honoured the late Honorary Chairman PJ McAvoy , and set out a forward-looking vision centred on regeneration, enterpri

North Antrim MP Jim Allister at the wheel of a Wrightbus electroliner vehicle. North Antrim MP Jim Allister has sharply criticised the decision to award the bulk of a £45 million Scottish Government contract for zero-emission buses and coaches to a Chinese manufacturer, describing the move as “outrageous” and warning it represents a failure to support UK industry. The intervention comes as pressure continues to mount over the allocation of public funding away from domestic ma

Extensive Trust Ford garage proposed by Turkington for Ballee Playing Fields site. Fresh development proposals for the former Ballee Playing Fields have reignited one of Ballymena’s most closely watched local controversies, with local businessman Josh Mulholland issuing a strongly worded open letter warning the town’s future is at stake. The latest plans, now entering pre-application community consultation, outline a mixed-use development including drive-thru restaurants, a

Sainsbury’s in Ballymena Motorists across Northern Ireland have been reassured that fuel continues to be delivered as normal, despite reports over the weekend of shortages at a small number of local filling stations. The reassurance from Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald comes as drivers face a sharp rise in costs at the pumps, with new figures showing petrol and diesel prices have climbed to their highest levels in more than two years. Dr Archibald said there is no conf

A recent photo of missing Ballymena boy Thomas Surgenor Police in Ballymena have issued an urgent public appeal as concern grows over the whereabouts of reported missing person Thomas Surgenor, who was last seen on Monday morning. Thomas was last seen in the Kintullagh area of Ballymena at approximately 11.30am on Monday, 30 March 2026. Officers say they are increasingly concerned for his welfare and are asking the local community to remain vigilant and report any possible si

Jo Bamford, Wrightbus The owner of Ballymena-based Wrightbus has launched a sharp attack on the use of taxpayer-funded grants to support overseas manufacturers, branding the move a “national scandal” and warning it risks undermining jobs and investment in Northern Ireland. Jo Bamford, who rescued Wrightbus from administration in 2019 and helped transform it into one of the UK’s leading zero-emission bus manufacturers, spoke out after the Scottish Government allocated the lar

Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey A new motion set to come before Mid and East Antrim Borough Council next month could see sensory toolboxes introduced in every council-owned building across the borough — a move designed to provide immediate comfort and support for children and young people who may become overwhelmed in public spaces. The proposal, brought forward by Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey , will be consider

Inset: Independent Councillor Lawrie Philpott  An independent councillor has raised sharp concerns over plans to establish a new task force aimed at regenerating Mid and East Antrim’s three main town centres, warning it risks becoming a “costly talking shop” unless it delivers direct support for local businesses. The issue is set to come before a full meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday evening, when DUP councillors Andrew Clarke (Coast Road) and Gregg Mc

Louise McClelland, CEO of Dowds Group, with members of the team A major Ballymena employer has unveiled what it describes as a best-in-class employee benefits package in a move aimed at tackling the construction industry’s growing talent crisis and setting a new standard for employers across the UK. Dowds Group, the Ballymena-headquartered construction and engineering specialist, today announced a landmark rewards and benefits package designed to support its 230-strong workfo

Pictured are, from left, Andrew Jenkins, Project Coordinator, Sorcha Mallen, deafblind specialist, Jillian Tullis, service user, Lauren McAteer, a Trustee of The Gallaher Trust, Cllr Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and James McVicker, Sensory Support Officer. A vital new funding boost is set to open doors, build confidence and tackle isolation for dozens of people living with deafblindness in Ballymena. Deafblind UK has been awarded £3,700 from T

Drugs seized by police in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena A routine patrol in Ballymena has led to a major drugs seizure worth an estimated £450,000, in what police have described as a “substantial disruption” to illegal activity in the area. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle in the Ballykeel area on Thursday, 26 March 2026. What they discovered inside was far from routine. Approximately 30 kilos of suspecte

It was a packed hall with 1000 guests attending EA’s Music Spring Gala hosted in partnership with Ulster University in the Diamond Hall at its Coleraine Campus. More than 500 young musicians from across north Antrim and mid Ulster have taken to the stage in a powerful celebration of music, community, and collaboration — marking a major milestone for youth music in the region. The EA Music Spring Gala 2026, held on Thursday 26 March at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, bro

A new generation of young entrepreneurs has taken its first bold step into the world of business — selling products, pitching ideas, and impressing judges in a high-stakes, Dragons’ Den-style challenge in Ballymena. Primary school pupils from across Mid and East Antrim swapped classrooms for commerce as they launched their own mini companies, culminating in a lively trading event at the Fairhill Centre and a competitive pitch finale at The Braid. The initiative, part of the B

McKillen’s on Church Street closed its doors earlier this month after 100 years of trading as a family business in Ballymena town centre Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is being urged to establish a taskforce to develop a strategic action plan aimed at supporting the borough’s three main town centres. The proposal is due to be brought before a full meeting of the council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening by Coast Road DUP Councillor Andrew Clarke , seconded by p

Waterstone’s Ballymena is gearing up for a busy Easter period, combining a fresh Top 10 bestselling list with family-friendly events, new releases and a packed programme designed to bring readers of all ages through its doors. From global bestsellers to children’s favourites and a major upcoming author visit, the latest update highlights the store’s growing role as a cultural hub in the local community. This week’s Top 10 bestselling books A diverse mix of genres dominates th

Stephanie Scott, Age Friendly Coordinator, and newly appointed Walking for All Officer, Colleen Martin, with participants from Cloughmills Community Action Team during a session promoting Age Friendly and Walking for All initiatives. A renewed push to help older people stay active, connected and heard is gathering pace in Cloughmills — with new efforts focused on turning the village into a truly age-friendly community. In a joint initiative led by Causeway Coast and Glens Bor