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NEWS


Ballymena optometrists launch new dry eye service to support women’s eye health on World Menopause Day
Fitzsimons Opticians’ senior optometrist and director, John Broderick, undertaking an eye examination A Ballymena optometry practice is marking World Menopause Day with the launch of a new dry eye service aimed at improving women’s eye health during menopause and perimenopause. Fitzsimons Opticians, based on William Street, has invested in state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to help identify and treat dry eye syndrome — a condition that experts say can affect more than hal
Oct 14, 2025


Wrightbus partners with Kazenmaier to drive zero-emission bus transition across Germany
(L-R): Erhan Eren, Managing Director Europe at Wrightbus; Max Nastold, CEO of Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Tobias Fräde, Business Development Manager Trucks/Buses at Kazenmaier Leasing GmbH; Gregor Creslovnik, Sales at Wrightbus. World-leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus has strengthened its foothold in Germany by joining forces with renowned leasing firm Kazenmaier, in a move designed to accelerate the transition to zero-emission public transport across the country. The partnersh
Oct 14, 2025


Christmas comes early for Ballymena shoppers as opening date confirmed for new Primark at Fairhill
CGI of the new Primark store at Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena Primark has confirmed that its brand-new Ballymena store at Fairhill Shopping Centre will officially open on Friday 5th December at 10am. The eagerly awaited move marks an exciting new chapter for Primark Ballymena, which first opened its doors in the town in 1983. Relocating less than a mile from its long-standing home in the Tower Centre, the new store will double in size, covering 26,200 sq. ft of fashion,
Oct 14, 2025


Police seize £3,000 of suspected Class B drugs in Ballymena town centre operation
Police in Ballymena have recovered suspected Class B drugs valued at approximately £3,000 following a search operation carried out on Saturday, 11th October 2025. Officers from the Ballymena District Support Team, who were on routine patrol in Ballymena town centre, observed a suspicious male. This led to a search and follow-up house search, during which quantities of suspected Class B drugs, along with a sum of cash and various electronic devices, were seized. A Police Servi
Oct 13, 2025


Extra patrols in Portglenone as police tackle anti-social motoring
Police in Mid and East Antrim have confirmed that additional patrols were deployed on Sunday evening, 12 October, following reports of anti-social driving in the village. In a statement shared over the weekend, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the move was prompted by ongoing concerns about dangerous and inconsiderate driving behaviour in the area. Officers from the local policing team referenced an “excellent post” originally shared by colleagues in PSNI N
Oct 13, 2025


Thinking of buying a home? AIB’s ‘Let’s Talk Co-Ownership’ event comes to Ballymena
AIB on Wellington Street, Ballymena AIB NI is set to visit Ballymena on Wednesday 12 November as part of its new ‘Let’s Talk Co-Ownership’ branch series – a fresh initiative designed to support homebuyers across Northern Ireland with practical, face-to-face guidance. Running throughout October and November, the series will see AIB’s local mortgage experts teaming up with Co-Ownership specialists to provide tailored advice and insight for anyone considering home ownership. The
Oct 13, 2025


Young Ahoghill artist inspires climate action with Translink bus design
Emily, aged 11, from Ahoghill, was one of eight young artists selected from over 1,000 entries across Northern Ireland for Translink’s Climate Action ‘Brand A Bus’ competition. A young artist from Ahoghill has seen her creative vision come to life in spectacular fashion — on the side of a Translink double-decker bus. 11-year-old Emily is one of eight talented young artists from across Northern Ireland whose artwork was selected from more than 1,000 entries in Translink’s inau
Oct 13, 2025


Ballymena hosts evening on David Trimble’s life with author Stephen Walker and Declan Lawn
Stephen Walker and Declan Lawn will be in the Braid Theatre, Ballymena on Tuesday 14 October at 7:30pm Two Ballymena-born writers are set to explore the remarkable life and political legacy of Nobel Laureate David Trimble at a special evening event in the town’s Braid Theatre on Tuesday 14 October. The event will feature acclaimed author Stephen Walker, whose new biography David Trimble: Peacemaker has been described by The Irish Times as a “political page turner,” in conve
Oct 13, 2025


Police appeal for information as concern grows for vulnerable missing person
Pictured: High-risk missing person Jamie Devlin Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of high-risk missing person...
Oct 13, 2025


Jill Bakes The Alphabet | ‘S’ is for Sticky Toffee Pudding
It's an all-in-one self-saucing Sticky Toffee Pudding (STP) recipe that's so easy to make and it's unreal. I think of myself as a bit of...
Oct 12, 2025


Waterstone’s Ballymena unveils this week’s Top 10 bestsellers and new book arrivals
From Charlie Mackesy’s moving new illustrated tale to Bob Mortimer’s latest comic mystery, Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its weekly...
Oct 11, 2025


Derry Girls actor Jamie Beamish inspires Ballymena students through creative cross-border project
Derry Girls and Bridgerton actor Jamie Beamish delivers a workshop to performing arts students at St Patrick's College in Ballymena....
Oct 10, 2025


Ballymena Cancer Research Group hosts exclusive Blue Lights Q&A with co-creator Declan Lawn
Declan Lawn, co-creator, writer, and director of the BAFTA award-winning series Blue Lights In a perfect fusion of television stardom and...
Oct 10, 2025


Northern Trust’s healthy eating revolution: Fresher options in cafes and vending machines
Staff from Braid Valley canteen are among those supporting newly revised nutritional standards within health and social care settings. In...
Oct 10, 2025


MEA Loneliness Network marks Positive Ageing Month with Volunteer Now event
(L-R) Sabrina Lynn, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Wenda Gray, Volunteer Now, John Mitchell, Volunteer Now, Marjorie Hawkins,...
Oct 9, 2025


Galgorm Resort leads County Antrim charge as finalists unveiled for 2025 Good Food Ireland® Awards
Dining at Galgorm Building on its recent triumph at the 2025 AA Hospitality Awards—where it secured AA 5-star status and its Gillies...
Oct 9, 2025


TUV congratulates Ahoghill teen Reuben Kernohan on All-Ireland Karting Championship win
Ahoghill’s rising motorsport star Reuben Kernohan has received warm congratulations from TUV representatives following his recent triumph...
Oct 8, 2025


Ballymena’s 80-year-old lollipop man Trevor Robinson honoured at BBC Make a Difference Awards
Trevor Robinson, aged 80, doing what he loves - greeting pupils of Camphill Primary School, ensuring they arrive safe and with a smile! A...
Oct 8, 2025


Economy Minister opens £55million Northern Regional College campus in Ballymena
Pictured at the opening of Northern Regional College's £55million Ballymena Campus are (L-R) NRC Ballymena Campus Chief Executive and...
Oct 8, 2025


Timothy Gaston demands ‘fairness’ from Translink over £20k Pride support
Inset: TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston has accused Translink of showing “double standards” after...
Oct 8, 2025
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