NEWS

“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

More than 6.9 million families across the UK are set to receive a boost in Child Benefit payments from next week, with HM Revenue and Customs urging parents in Ballymena and beyond to make sure they are claiming everything they are entitled to. From 6 April, payments will increase to £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child — equivalent to £1,406.60 a year — while each additional child will bring £17.90 per week, or £930.80 annually. The increase means families will recei

People across Northern Ireland could soon see more health and wellbeing support delivered closer to where they live, following the launch of a major new neighbourhood care framework by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. The new Neighbourhood Model of Health and Wellbeing Framework, published today by the Department of Health, marks a significant shift in how care is planned and delivered, with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention and supporting people to remain indepen

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

Ulster University (UU) roll out the red carpet for Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday where they will confer an honorary degree on the Hollywood star-turned-politician. (Picture by Jonathan Porter / PressEye) In a moment rich with symbolism, memory and global star power, Arnold Schwarzenegger has returned to Belfast 60 years after his first visit to Northern Ireland to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Ulster University. The world-renowned actor, former Governor of California,

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

Dairy farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to return to basics and refocus on grass and grazing as falling milk prices and rising costs begin to squeeze farm incomes in 2026. Despite a strong performance last year, experts warn that the early months of this year have already exposed vulnerabilities in farm profitability — with challenging weather and market uncertainty testing the resilience of producers. Conail Keown, Senior Dairy Adviser at the College of Agricul

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

A remarkable double discovery in County Tyrone is shining new light on Ireland’s ancient past—while safeguarding its future. Within weeks of each other, a previously unknown burial cairn dating back up to 5,000 years and a 5,500-year-old Neolithic court tomb have both been uncovered and preserved near Omagh, as part of environmental and conservation work led by NI Water and local partners. The finds are not only archaeologically significant—they reveal how modern environmenta

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