NEWS

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is pictured at the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque at Gracehill along with (L-R) Sarah Groves, former Bishop of Gracehill Moravian Church, outgoing Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tyler Hoey, outgoing Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, Alderman William McCaughey, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Mr David McCorkell and Chair of Gracehill Old School Trust, Dr David Johnston OBE. Northern Ireland’s first cultu

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows The Ulster Unionist Party has moved to steady internal nerves and project unity after a bruising week of political turmoil, with party leader Jon Burrows insisting the party “will not allow” recent criticism and media characterisations to define its future. In a direct message to members and supporters, the MLA acknowledged frustration within the party following the departure of former leader Doug Beattie MC MLA, describing recent days

A man has been charged to court following one of two overnight incidents in Ballymena linked to suspected drugs offences and the recovery of a knife. Police confirmed the 41-year-old has been charged with possession of a Class B controlled drug, possession of a Class C controlled drug, and possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place. The charges follow an incident in the Crebilly Road area during the early hours of Friday, June 5, when officers on patrol

Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital A nurse leading one of Northern Ireland’s busiest hospital teams has been recognised for transforming both staff wellbeing and patient care after introducing a workplace support initiative designed to help struggling colleagues reach out in confidence. Nuala O’Connell, a Ward Sister at Antrim Area Hospital, was named winner of the Team Manager Award at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year Awards, with four other Nor

Police in Ballymena have arrested two men during separate overnight incidents linked to suspected drugs offences, dangerous driving, and the recovery of a knife. The arrests were made during the early hours of Friday, June 5, following patrols by officers in the town. One of the incidents began after police observed a car being driven erratically on the Antrim Road shortly after 1am, while a second unfolded less than two hours later in the Crebilly Road area when a man allege

Ballymena United supporters are being promised cheaper football, exclusive rewards and a smoother matchday experience after the club officially launched season tickets for the 2026/27 campaign with prices frozen across every category. In a move likely to be welcomed by fans facing continued cost-of-living pressures, the club confirmed there will be no increase in season ticket prices ahead of the new NIFL Premiership season, while introducing a new ticketing platform and a pa

A 13-year-old has been cautioned by police after officers seized an e-scooter in Ballymena amid ongoing concerns over the illegal use of the devices in public spaces. Neighbourhood Policing Team officers were conducting enquiries in the Dunvale area of the town on Thursday afternoon, June 4, when they observed a number of young people riding e-scooters. Police confirmed one teenager was cautioned for driving offences including having no licence and no insurance before the e-s

Well done girls: L-R: Jenna McErlain, Dayah Doherty. Willow Currie, Isabel McErlean, Rebekah Rice, Cassie Evans, Maisie Hamill, and Anna Rose Caskey. Eight young gymnasts from Toome are preparing to take centre stage on the national level after qualifying to represent Northern Ireland at the National Finals in London later this year. The athletes from Elite Gymnastics Academy secured their places following a series of strong performances throughout the British Gymnastics-back

A planning application has been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed children’s go-kart fun ride area at Carnfunnock Country Park, outside Larne. The application was lodged by an agent on behalf of Ian and Christopher Lough, operators of Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone, which operates independently within the country park grounds. Ian said the proposal, currently under consideration by the council’s planning department, would be situated beside the exis

Police have seized suspected Class A and Class B drugs, large sums of cash, fireworks and suspected fake cosmetic products following a major series of searches across Ballymena on Thursday. Officers from Ballymena’s District Support Team, alongside other policing colleagues, carried out coordinated searches at four properties, one business premises and three vehicles as part of an ongoing operation targeting the local drugs trade. A 41-year-old woman remains in police custody

Motoring enthusiasts, families and supporters of two vital mental health charities are set to descend on Ballymena Showgrounds this weekend as the Ballymena Charity Vehicle Show returns with one of its biggest events yet. The popular community event, taking place on Saturday 6 June from 11am to 3pm, will transform the Showgrounds into a huge celebration of vehicles of every kind — from classic cars and modern performance machines to tractors, motorcycles, HGVs and vans — whil

Caroline Martin, Dale Farm pictured with Sixth Form pupils from Cullybackey College One of Northern Ireland’s best-known food producers has been strengthening its connection with young people in Ballymena through a year-long partnership designed to give pupils real insight into careers beyond the classroom. Through the ‘Adopt a School’ initiative run alongside Dale Farm and Business in the Community Northern Ireland, students at Cullybackey College have been given hands-on ex

Ballymena United supporters will begin the new season with a completely new way to buy tickets after the club announced a fresh three-year partnership with ticketing platform TicketCo ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The deal will see the Championship side introduce a new integrated ticketing system designed to simplify how fans purchase season tickets and matchday admission, with the platform going live immediately as season ticket sales open this week. The move marks one of t

Liam Wilson (left) with David Mitchell at the company’s premises in Ahoghill A long-established Ballymena financial advisory firm is entering a new chapter after appointing a new Director with ambitions to expand its reach across Northern Ireland while keeping its strong family-focused approach at the centre of the business. Mitchell & Wilson Financial Planning has confirmed that Liam Wilson has become Director of the Ballymena-based firm, taking over leadership as the compan

Local woman, Ann Lamont, happy volunteering at Dogs Trust Ballymena A County Antrim woman who promised herself she would one day help rescue dogs after losing her beloved pet has now given more than 1,000 hours of service to homeless hounds at Dogs Trust Ballymena. Ann Lamont, from near Kells, has become one of the rehoming centre’s most recognisable faces after spending the past two years volunteering in its laundry room — affectionately known by staff and volunteers as “Ann

Mid & East Antrim Pride has announced details of its 2026 programme, with a series of events planned across Ballymena on Saturday June 20. The annual event will include a morning community programme at The Braid Arts Centre, a parade through Ballymena town centre and an evening after-party event. Organisers say this year’s theme will be “Louder, Prouder, Stronger”, with community groups, local organisations, businesses and individuals expected to take part throughout the day.

Female scientists will step out of laboratories and into the heart of Ballymena later this month as a major public STEM event lands in the town for the first time. Soapbox Science, a free live science event designed to make research accessible, engaging and visible, is coming to the People’s Park on Friday 12 June from 11am to 2pm. The event — the first of its kind to be hosted in Mid and East Antrim — will see female researchers take to literal soapboxes to explain their wor

Pictured (L-R) are Peter McAuley, CEO and founder, Nomadic Watches and Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Regional Business, Invest NI A Carrickfergus-founded luxury watch company that began as a one-man operation working from home has grown into a business with more than £1.9 million in sales — and is now planning to create 20 new jobs as it expands internationally. Nomadic Watches, founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Peter McAuley, has rapidly built a global customer base from Nor

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has appointed a new mayor and deputy mayor for the year ahead, with Bannside DUP Alderman Thomas Gordon taking on the borough’s top civic role and Carrick Castle Ulster Unionist Councillor Bethany Carson-Ferris named as deputy mayor. The appointments were confirmed during the council’s Annual Meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, June 1, marking the beginning of a new civic

Bannside DUP Alderman Tom Gordon and Carrickfergus Castle Ulster Unionist Councillor Bethany Carson-Ferris The mayoral role in Mid and East Antrim will return to the DUP at the borough council’s annual general meeting taking place this evening (Monday, June 1) at The Braid in Ballymena. The borough’s new first citizen is expected to be Bannside Alderman Tom Gordon. The incoming deputy mayor is expected to be Carrickfergus Castle Ulster Unionist Councillor Bethany Carson-Ferri