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

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

Friday 6 November 2026 South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on parcel delivery company Evri to explain what improvements it has made ahead of the Christmas rush, following complaints from constituents about missing deliveries and difficulties getting help during last year's festive period. The MP has written directly to Evri Chief Executive Martijn de Lange seeking assurances that measures are in place to prevent a repeat of the problems reported to his constituency office

The Aston Martin Aramco team brought a touch of Formula One excitement to Antrim Area Hospital, with reserve driver Jak Crawford visiting the children's ward to spend time with young patients, as well as families who are cared for by the Northern Trust's community children's team. (Photos: Michael Cooper) Friday 6 November 2026 Young patients at Antrim Area Hospital were treated to a special Formula One experience when the Aston Martin Aramco team made a pitstop at the hospit

Ballymoney man Alex Patterson who walked to Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland, and other representatives. Thursday 5 November 2026 A Ballymoney man who has faced being turned away from restaurants because of his guide dog has walked from Belfast City Hall to Stormont to highlight the everyday barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people. Alex Patterson completed the challenge on Tuesday (3 November), accompanied b

(Left to Right): Antoin Moran, Project Manager ASPIRE Peaceplus; Seamus Bradly. EA Director; Paul Givan, DE Minister and Jayne Simms, EA Lead ASPIRE Peaceplus at today’s PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Conference. Thursday 5 November 2026 Schools across Northern Ireland have a vital role to play in challenging misogyny, tackling harmful attitudes and helping young people develop healthy relationships as part of wider efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. That message was at t

Thursday 5 November 2026 Almost one in four children living in poverty in Northern Ireland are not eligible for free school meals, according to major new UK-wide research highlighting significant inequalities in the financial support available to struggling families. The findings, published today (Thursday 5 November), reveal that 24% of children in poverty in Northern Ireland fall outside free school meal eligibility, compared with 17% in Scotland and 18% in Wales. Following

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

Minister pictured with committee members of Randalstown Arches Association which was awarded £40,000 for improvements at Arches House, where activities include delivery of educational, recreational and community development activities for Randalstown and the surrounding rural area. Wednesday 4 November 2026 Three community organisations in Randalstown, Glenavy and Crumlin have secured a combined £74,400 to improve buildings used by local families, young people and community g

Wednesday 4 November 2026 Around half of all babies born in Northern Ireland in 2026 are being invited to take part in a landmark research study that will follow children into adulthood, helping shape the services and support available to future generations of families. Researchers at Ulster University have begun interviewing parents as part of Generation New Era, the first new UK birth cohort study in 25 years and the largest of its kind in a generation. Around 4,200 familie

County Antrim man Dean Patton went missing 14 years ago Wednesday 4 November 2026 Police have renewed their appeal for information about a Portrush man who vanished more than 14 years ago, urging anyone who visited the north coast during the summer of 2012 to consider whether they may hold a vital clue. Dean Patton was just 24 years old when he was last seen in the Main Street area of Portrush on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 July 2012. His disappearance remains the subject of

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 Parents, guardians and carers across Northern Ireland are being urged to carefully check children's Halloween treats after a sewing needle was discovered inside a wrapped chocolate bar in the Rathfriland area of County Down. Police received a report of the discovery on Tuesday 3 November and have issued a public safety warning, advising families to inspect sweets collected during trick-or-treating before allowing children to eat them. No injuries have

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