NEWS

John McClintock and Pamela Steele from Northern Regional College; Patrick McNeill, former FutureMakers Academy participant and Clarke employee; MTF chairman David Watson; Logan Godfrey, past FutureMakers Academy participant and Wrightbus employee; Donna McCullough from Northern Regional College; and Donna Morrison from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A fully funded skills programme aimed at helping people into sustainable employment is offering a new route into manufactur

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, has reflected on a year of resilience, generosity and progress across the Borough in his Christmas message to residents. As festive lights illuminate towns and villages across Mid and East Antrim, the Mayor spoke of the “joy and warmth of Christmas” and the strong sense of community that has defined the past year. “It has been a true honour to serve as your

Pictured with John Read, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Mid and East Antrim is Samantha Peden, Community Development Officer and participants of the Christmas coffee morning provided by Cullybackey Community Partnership. Also represented at the event was the board of directors, Cullybackey Men's Shed and members of Cullybackey community. All the catering equipment for the event was funded by the Housing Executive. A gift of coffee-making equipment from the Housing

Suspended jail term for 71-year-old woman who was more than twice drink drive limit when she crashed her car through a shop window in Ballymena injuring customer A 71-YEAR-OLD woman who was more than twice the drink drive limit when she crashed her car through the window of the Grove Road Spar shop in Ballymena, injuring a customer, has received a suspended jail sentence, reports Court News NI . Marion Connolly, of Carnwood Hall, Ballymena, was at the town's Magistrates' Cour

Riverside Retail Park, Coleraine A Ballymena-based property company headed by local businessman Ryan Walker has completed a landmark £30 million acquisition that brings one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent retail destinations under single local ownership for the first time. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited , which owns the Fairhill Shopping Centre in Ballymena , has acquired Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine from Kelvin Properties Ltd, in a transaction overseen by TDK Property

A new Christmas lights display is bringing festive warmth, faith and community spirit to Broughshane this winter, as Tim’s Lights makes its debut on Caherty Hill in support of Marie Curie Northern Ireland. The charity display, which also runs in Tandragee, is rooted in a deeply personal mission — to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas while raising vital funds for end-of-life care across Northern Ireland. Since first switching on in 2014, Tim’s Lights has raised an impres

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has entered into a debate over which household recycling system works best, after the issue was raised at a meeting of a neighbouring council. Speaking in the council chamber at Mossley Mill on Monday evening, Antrim DUP councillor Paul Dunlop highlighted the differing approaches taken by local authorities. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has recently completed the roll-out of a triple-stacked wheelie box system to 25,000 house

Castle Tower School in Ballymena has been confirmed among successful applicants for the Department of Education’s RAISE Programme. Ballymena projects have been placed firmly in the spotlight after Education Minister Paul Givan announced more than £3.7 million in funding to support Locality Led Projects under the RAISE Programme across Northern Ireland. A total of 61 projects have been selected to move forward to the next stage of the programme, which aims to raise educational

Yvonne Carson, Northern Trust, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, Valerie Cubitt, Eurospar, Cullybackey, Leona Rock, Community Staff Nurse, Cullybackey Medical Practice, Marion Orr, District Nursing Coach, Joanne Brown Kerr, Development Officer, Bann Maine West with volunteers Helen and  Samantha from Cullybackey Community Partnership. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has joined forces with Bann Maine West Community Cluster to bring festive cheer to some of the most

Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley is pictured with, Amber Kirkwood, who works in Crave café, Linda Gillen, who works at The Fern Restaurant and Logan Godfrey, who is employed by Wrightbus.  More than 1,200 people across Ballymena are set to benefit from a major £500,000 funding commitment announced by The Gallaher Trust, aimed at creating jobs, developing skills and supporting disadvantaged adults over the next three years. The independent Ballymena-based charity has con

This is absolutely the easiest way to cook your Christmas ham and it is ‘deeelicious’! This recipe is from my ebook ' Easy Christmas ' - you can visit my shop by tapping here ! I have a guide to adjust the cooking times depending on the size of your ham and also a guide for your turkey too. Enjoy! Jill Stewart ( @jillbakes_ ) INGREDIENTS… 1 gammon roast 150ml boiling water 2 eating apples, cut into large chunks 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp Demerara sugar INSTRUCTIONS… 1. Soak the raw

Inset: Councillor Alan Barr Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has urged the public to remain vigilant to the signs of domestic abuse during the winter months, warning that heightened financial, emotional and social pressures can place victims at greater risk across Mid and East Antrim. Councillor Barr said “domestic violence is a serious crime. It devastates lives and families. It can be carried out by both men and women on their partners. Sadly, children can also

SuperValu and Centra Marketing Manager Jennifer Whyte with Santa Claws which will visit Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena this week. Shoppers in Ballymena are set for a festive treat this Christmas as SuperValu and Centra bring their nostalgic ‘Santa Claws’ arcade experience to Fairhill Shopping Centre, offering the chance to win instant prizes — and even a dream family trip to New York. On Thursday 18th December , the popular retail brands will host a festive community eve

Pictured at the Northern Trust Recovery College 10-year-anniversary event are Jacqui Armstrong, Transformation Lead for Intermediate Care and Integrated Discharge, Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Psychological Services, Janice Gray, Service Manager, Joy Hammond, Head of Service, Mental Health & Recovery Services and Jen Hood, Interim Assistant Director. The Northern Trust Recovery College is marking a decade of supporting mental health and wellb

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with festive favourites, cookery titles and family-friendly reads proving especially popular as Christmas approaches. From Mary Berry’s celebratory new release to children’s classics and record-breaking annuals, the list reflects a wide range of tastes among local shoppers seeking thoughtful Christmas gifts. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books – With Descriptions 1. Mary 90 — Mary Berry A celebratory co

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced a series of festive service changes to ensure bin collections, recycling centres and key public facilities continue running smoothly over the Christmas and New Year period. A Council spokesperson said the temporary adjustments have been introduced “as we come together to celebrate the season,” adding: “These temporary adjustments to bin collections, recycling centres and public facilities will help ensure our services continu

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland, with forecasters cautioning that “periods of heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and some flooding” between 00:00 on Sunday 14 December and 06:00 on Monday 15 December 2025. According to the warning, “outbreaks of rain will affect Northern Ireland Sunday and clear away on Monday morning.” The rain is expected to be “heavy and persistent at times with accumulations of 20–30 mm expected to develop

Wrightbus CEO Axel J. Maschka meeting staff The newly appointed CEO of zero-emission public transport pioneer Wrightbus has brought together all 2,000 members of staff to share his strategic vision for the year ahead. Axel J. Maschka, who joined the Ballymena-based manufacturer from Hyundai Mobis at the beginning of December, addressed the workforce during a mass meeting on Wednesday (10 December). He opened by thanking employees for their contribution throughout 2025 but cau

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has paid warm tribute to the people of North Antrim after what he described as an “overwhelming” response to this year’s Christmas Appeal in aid of the Macmillan Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. Mr Burrows said he was “totally blown away by the generosity” shown by local residents, businesses, and community groups, whose contributions will provide vital support to the specialist palliative care facility. The annual appeal remains a cherished tra

Diane with her beloved girl Molly! A former stray dog who spent more than 700 days at Dogs Trust Ballymena is set to enjoy her first Christmas in a loving home after forming an unbreakable bond with her new owner. Ten-year-old Border Collie Molly arrived at Dogs Trust in June 2023 after being found wandering alone, with no clues to her previous life. Despite her uncertain past, staff quickly discovered a bright, affectionate dog who simply needed time, patience and trust to r