NEWS

Holiday plans across Northern Ireland face possible significant disruption this Easter weekend as the Met Office warns of a rapidly deepening low-pressure system bringing "very strong winds" to the region. The yellow weather warning, which covers all of Northern Ireland including Ballymena and surrounding areas, is set to take effect from 18:00 on Saturday, 4 April , lasting through until midday on Easter Sunday . Meteorologists are tracking an intense weather front moving no

Local councillor Anna Henry proposed a motion this week calling for urgent action to tackle lengthy delays in diagnosis and treatment across Northern Ireland Thousands of women living with chronic pain and prolonged uncertainty have moved back into sharp focus after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council formally recognised the growing crisis in gynaecology services during Endometriosis Awareness Month. In a follow-up development to growing concern around women’s health waiting

Inset: North Antrim MP Jim Allister North Antrim MP Jim Allister has formally intervened in the planning process surrounding Ballymena’s proposed new Lidl store, writing directly to a planning officer at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to urge that the application be refused. In a strongly worded letter addressed to senior planning officer Kyle Patterson, Mr Allister said he was writing to “endorse the opposition of local residents” to the proposed St Patrick’s Link Road

Eight-year-old Daisy Doherty In a world that can often feel a little heavy, one young girl from Broughshane is bringing a powerful reminder of kindness, compassion and hope. Eight-year-old Daisy Doherty, a pupil at Broughshane Primary School , is preparing to take on a remarkable challenge this July as she donates her hair to help create a wig for a child who has lost theirs through illness. Inspired by the work of Little Princess Trust, the charity which provides real-hair w

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

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with children from Greenisland Primary School at the reopening of Greenisland Play Park Families in Greenisland are being welcomed back to a completely revitalised play space after a major refurbishment by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council transformed the local park into a modern, inclusive destination for children and young people. The newly upgraded Greenisland Play Park has been designed as a vibrant spac

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

Alan Morton pictured with his wife Gail at a celebratory party held in Antrim Area Hospital’s Renal Unit to mark the 50th anniversary of his kidney transplant. A Larne man is marking an extraordinary milestone that few could ever imagine — living half a century with a donated kidney that gave him the chance to grow up, build a family, and live a full life. Alan Morton was just 15 years old when he underwent a pioneering kidney transplant. Fifty years on, he is still living wi

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