NEWS

Saturday 03 October 2026 Farmers’ Choir NI has been crowned Making Music UK Group of the Year 2026 after winning a public vote, bringing national recognition to a choir which has become an important source of friendship and connection for farming and rural communities. The cross-community choir, whose members travel to weekly rehearsals at Ballymena Academy, was selected from five groups shortlisted by a Making Music panel before receiving the most votes from the public. Maki

A fantastic effort by the Ballymena Academy teams. Saturday 03 October 2026 Ballymena Academy made a perfect start to their Netball Northern Ireland League campaign, with all four teams securing victories away to Belfast Royal Academy on Friday. Four wins on opening day The Minor 1 and Minor 2 sides delivered particularly commanding performances, recording 22–1 and 28–1 victories respectively. Minor 3 also began their campaign on a winning note with a 4–1 result, before Junio

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has congratulated our further education colleges and students after they delivered a world-class performance on the global stage, bringing home a gold medal, bronze medal and five medals for excellence from WorldSkills in Shanghai. The Minister met some of the competitors and college representatives at Parliament Buildings before they headed to Shanghai for the ‘Skills Olympics’. Friday 02 October 2026 Ballymena’s Joe Wilton has been reco

Hannah McDowell, Centra, Phoenix Antrim Road, Ballymena, with Lauren Stewart, Green Field Marketing Friday 02 October 2026 Two Ballymena convenience stores have won prizes worth a combined £1,200 through a drinks supplier’s retailer incentive scheme. Centra on Antrim Road secured one of AG Barr’s top £1,000 prizes, while Centra on Frosses Road received £200. MACE in Cloughmills also picked up a £100 prize. The stores are among 12 Northern Ireland retailers to have shared £5,2

Northern Regional College student Samuel Cairns Thursday 01 October 2026 A Northern Regional College student studying in Ballymena has helped create a short film selected among the top two UK entries in an Into Film programme — an achievement that took him to London to hear from some of the biggest names in entertainment. Samuel Cairns participated in a question-and-answer panel with representatives from Universal, Disney and Netflix, and was later invited back for an exclusi

Pictured at the Giant’s Causeway to launch this year’s competition is Alderman Thomas Gordon, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and founder of Noord and winner of last year's Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, Sander Van Eck. Wednesday 30 September 2026 Ten entrepreneurs from across Mid and East Antrim will put their business ideas before judges this Friday, competing for £1,000 and the chance to represent the borough at a Northern Ireland final. From artisan baking a

Fire crews tackle burning homes in Ballymena during the disorder of June 2025 Wednesday 30 September 2026 Ballymena firefighters who tackled house fires and burning barricades during disorder in the town in June 2025 have received formal recognition for their response. Station Commander Alan Barr, White Watch and On-Call personnel from Ballymena Fire Station were awarded a Chief Fire & Rescue Officer commendation for their actions on 9 June. Local colleague John Shannon was a

Members of Antrim Area Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team Tuesday 29 September 2026 Antrim Area Hospital has received UK-wide recognition for the training and support it gives doctors specialising in pregnancy, childbirth and women’s health, following feedback from resident doctors. The hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team was highly commended in the Overall and Obstetrics category for medium-sized hospitals in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologis

South Antrim MP Robin Swann during a visit to meet the volunteers of St John Ambulance in Antrim last year. Monday 28 September 2026 St John Ambulance volunteers in Antrim have had 75 years of service to their community formally recognised at Westminster, with South Antrim MP Robin Swann tabling a parliamentary motion marking the milestone. The Antrim unit, founded in 1951, has provided generations of first aid cover, emergency support and community care across the town and w

Farmers’ Choir NI Committee Members attending NI Farming Awards at the Culloden Hotel More than 40 members of Farmers’ Choir NI are back rehearsing in Ballymena for a new season — and they already have plenty to sing about after earning recognition at both Northern Ireland and UK level. The cross-community choir, which brings together farmers, people working in agriculture and members of rural communities, has reached the final of the Making Music UK Group of the Year Award 2

Past participants Leah Baxter-Leslie, Nicki McNeill and Anjali Jose pictured with Naomi Hutchinson, NFSU Business Support Manager, Brigid McNabb, key trainer with Academy, and Dr Windsor Murdock, non-executive member NFSU. Thursday 24 September 2026 A programme designed to help local people into work while tackling recruitment needs in GP surgeries has recorded a 53% employment outcome after expanding from a Mid and East Antrim pilot to four academies in just 18 months. From

Emmerdale stars, Lisa Riley (left) and Dominic Brunt (right) present Johnny and Corrina McAleese, Founders of Noah’s Story, with their Overcoming Adversity Award. Also pictured is Duvessa Cochrane (right) from category sponsor, A Aesthetics. Wednesday 23 September 2026 Johnny and Corrina McAleese, the north Antrim couple who turned the devastating loss of their young son into a mission to help other bereaved families, have been honoured at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Award

Tuesday 22 September 2026 Ballymena’s Merchant Fish and Chips has been named among the UK’s top 40 fish and chip takeaways, putting the local business back in contention for one of the industry’s biggest national honours. The Merchant is one of just four Northern Ireland businesses to make the longlist for Takeaway of the Year at the National Fish & Chip Awards, which are now in their 39th year. Ballymena chippy back in national spotlight The recognition continues a strong ru

Carly Heggarty, Equality and Wellbeing Manager at Northern Regional College and Shannon Murphy Education Support Co-Ordinator pictured with the Autism NI Award Monday 21 September 2026 Northern Regional College has achieved Autism NI’s Impact Award for Education after introducing practical measures designed to make college life more accessible and supportive for autistic and neurodivergent students. The recognition follows tailored Autism NI training for staff and the develop

Ballymena Business Centre is marking the achievements of two highly successful projects, Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Taig Brookes, from Airtac and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre. Monday 21 September 2026 Two Ballymena business support programme

Sunday 20 September 2026 Ulster University has achieved its highest-ever position in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, climbing 15 places to rank 34th in the UK. The university has also been named University of the Year, Northern Ireland, 2027, adding to a series of national rankings and awards for its teaching, research and student experience. Ulster University has more than 30,000 students, according to 2023/24 HESA figures cited by the university, with

Irish Beltex Premier Show & Sale: Judge Andrew Baillie and Sophie McAllister with Overall Show Champion, Artnagullion Major. Sunday 20 September 2026 Kells sheep breeder Elizabeth McAllister secured the overall championship, reserve male championship and highest shearling ewe price at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Premier Show and Export Sale in Dungannon. Her homebred ram lamb, Artnagullion Major, won the top show honour before selling for 4,500gns to Douglas Nisbet

ProMetNI Founders Scot and Helen Nelson received assistance from Go Succeed A family-run County Antrim metal fabrication business is setting its sights on growth beyond Northern Ireland as it builds on more than two decades of industry experience. ProMetNI, based at Dennison Industrial Estate, Ballyclare, is exploring new markets and expanding its range of products and services after receiving business support through the Go Succeed programme. Founded in 2022 by husband-and-w

Team Harryville Primary School ahead of their Dragon Boat Race challenge this weekend. Staff from Harryville Primary School in Ballymena have raised more than £2,500 so far for Northern Ireland Hospice — with donations still coming in ahead of their Dragon Boat challenge on the River Lagan this weekend. The school team will take to the water in Belfast on Saturday, September 19, as part of the charity’s Dragon Boat Race, joining teams from businesses, clubs and organisations

Galgorm Collection has announced its support for local tennis ace, Emma Mezei. Pictured with Emma is Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection. Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Mezei has secured a three-year partnership with Galgorm Collection after becoming the first member of Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club in more than 40 years to reach an All-Ireland junior final. Emma recently finished runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland Under 10 Junior