NEWS

Over the past few years, the store team has organised and taken part in a number of initiatives and fun days to help raise funds towards the milestone and become one of the top SPAR fundraisers in NI. A Ballymena store team is celebrating after helping SPAR NI surpass an extraordinary £1 million raised for Marie Curie, supporting vital community nursing services across Northern Ireland. SPAR NI has confirmed its retailers and shoppers have collectively raised £1,024,167 for t

New Chief Executive of Wrightbus, Axel J. Maschka Zero-emission transport manufacturer Wrightbus has announced Axel J. Maschka as its new Chief Executive, marking a significant moment in the Ballymena-based company’s continued growth on the international stage. Maschka, an accomplished senior executive with decades of experience in the global automotive supply chain, joins Wrightbus after holding top roles at Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, Volvo, Continental, Leclanché, Bosch and Merc

Pictured are the latest cohort of students from the Supporting Communities Scholarship Scheme, Noah Hought, Michael Cushenan, Caoimhe Layland McGroggan and Jelisejs Sestakovs, alongside Stephanie McKilliop, far left and Sandra Ross, far right, from Supporting Communities.  The Gallaher Trust has announced a further three-year extension to its scholarship schemes, securing £99,000 in funding to support disadvantaged young adults pursuing business or STEM-based studies in the B

An “extra-large” American flag that could be seen from Belfast Lough is set to be flown at a Carrickfergus visitor attraction to mark a landmark anniversary next year. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee has approved a proposal to fly the flag at the Andrew Jackson Cottage in Boneybefore, subject to additional funding being secured, as part of the ‘America 250’ commemorations. It was suggested that an “extra-large” US flag be install

Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has welcomed the introduction of a new emergency messaging system for schools, following the Education Minister’s admission that “communication failures” took place during the handling of Storm Amy. The recent review into the events surrounding the storm found that critical updates were not delivered quickly enough to schools, leading to widespread confusion as closure decisions were issued. Mr Burrows said the review h

Aerial view of Ballee Cemetery Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has agreed to shelve a proposal that would have ended Sunday burials. The recommendation to restrict weekend burials to Saturdays only was presented to councillors at a meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee last month. The discussion took place in a closed session, according to the minutes. Officers had advised limiting weekend burials, but councillors were told that rural Sunday funerals

Ballymena United Football Club has announced that first team manager Jim Ervin has departed the club, bringing an end to his two and a half years in charge at the Showgrounds. In a statement issued on Monday morning, the club confirmed the decision and expressed deep gratitude for Ervin’s service — both as a manager and as a respected former player. The board said it wished to place on record its “upmost thanks to Jim and his staff for their efforts and support during his two

Tom Wiggins, CEO Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, and (L-R) Lauren Kelso from Lauren Kelso Illustrator, Debbie Chestnutt (Good Morning, Ballymena), and Lucinda Graham (Galgorm Melts). The Ballymena Chamber of Commerce is set to launch its first-ever Artisan Christmas Fair next month, offering a festive celebration of local craftsmanship, community spirit, and seasonal entertainment. The free-entry event will take place this coming weekend on Saturday 6 December 2025, from 11am

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, showcasing a strong mix of children’s favourites, festive reads, high-profile memoirs and brand-new fiction — all proving popular with local shoppers in the run-up to Christmas. Leading the list is Jeff Kinney’s newest instalment of the global sensation Diary of a Wimpy Kid, while titles by Charlie Mackesy, Dan Brown, Wendy Erskine and Jeremy Clarkson also feature prominently in a varied selection appeal

Mid and East Antrim councillors have accepted an increase to their basic allowance from the Department for Communities, which will take their annual payment to £18,916. The 3.2 per cent rise, up from £18,329, will be backdated to 1 April and will apply until 31 March 2026, in line with payments to councillors across Northern Ireland. Councillors’ basic allowance includes an element for incidentals and consumable costs incurred in the course of their duties, which will now amo

North Pole-sent, and full of fun and clever ideas, Ballymena BID’s dynamic duo Emma McCrea (Manager) and Clare Moore (Business Engagement Officer) continue on mission, urging shoppers to discover the best of Ballymena businesses this Christmas! Ballymena has stepped into the festive period with renewed confidence after a hugely successful Ballymena Discount Day and the announcement that Ballymena BID has secured a third term. The dual boost marks a significant moment for loca

Music lovers across Ballymena are being invited as two of the town’s most cherished musical groups prepare to take to the stage together for a special joint concert this weekend. The Ballymena Young Conquerors Concert Flute Band, the town’s longest surviving musical ensemble with roots stretching back to 1886, will unite with the renowned Seven Towers Male Voice Choir, who celebrated their centenary in 2024. The collaboration promises an uplifting and memorable evening of mus

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the proposed sale of a multi-storey car park in Ballymena town centre. Minutes of a discussion, which took place behind closed doors at a council meeting last month, state that a report had sought approval to market Springwell Street Multi-Storey Car Park for sale. Councillors were advised that a sale would “represent a significant impact on capital budget”. However, members requested further information to be pro

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has appealed for calm following the Public Prosecution Service’s decision to withdraw attempted rape charges against two teenage boys in relation to a reported sexual assault in Ballymena earlier this year. The charges, stemming from allegations reported on 7th June 2025, were formally withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday, 28 November, after what the PPS described as “significant evidential developments”. Both

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with a Christmas tree surrounded by toy donations made by the residents of Mid and East Antrim. Christmas generosity is already shining across Mid and East Antrim as residents rally behind the Borough’s seventh annual Pre-Loved Toys Scheme, donating nearly two tonnes of toys in just the first weeks of the initiative. Since opening on Monday 27 October, dedicated Christmas toy c

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has formally withdrawn attempted rape charges brought against two juvenile boys in connection with a reported sexual assault in Ballymena earlier this year. The charges, which related to an alleged incident on Saturday 7th June 2025, were withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday, 28 November. Both the PPS and senior detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Public Protection Branch met with the complainant and her

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, (centre) cuts the ribbon at the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre reopening with representatives from the Ulster Scots Agency and Arthur Cottage guides. Images: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the much-anticipated reopening of the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre in Cullybackey, following a significant refurbishment designed to enhance one of the

A man wanted in connection with child sexual offences in Ballymena has been extradited from Spain to Northern Ireland, five years after he allegedly failed to answer bail. The 45-year-old suspect was transferred back to Northern Ireland on Thursday, 27 November 2025, following his arrest earlier this year in the Canary Islands. He is wanted to stand trial for five offences of sexual activity with a child, alleged to have taken place in the Ballymena area in August and October

John Ferris, Accelerator Leader, Ulster Bank; Kerri Anderson, Head of Fundraising, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, and Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking, Ulster Bank. Ulster Bank colleagues in Ballymena have helped raise more than £155,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) as part of this year’s major ‘One Week in September’ fundraising campaign — delivering a six-figure boost for the charity’s lifesaving work. Staff at the Ballymena branch organised a series of ev

The interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has defended the authority’s decision to move to blue mixed-recycling bins in Ballymena and Carrickfergus from 2026/27, despite neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council phasing out the very same system. Speaking during Monday night’s full council meeting at The Braid in Ballymena, Valerie Watts responded to a public question which asked: “Who is right – Antrim council getting rid of blue bins or B