NEWS

Robin Swann MP with Randalstown and District Beekeepers Association South Antrim MP Robin Swann has marked World Bee Day by highlighting the critical role pollinators play in Northern Ireland’s food production, farming industry and countryside biodiversity. The former Stormont Health Minister used the international awareness day to praise the work of local volunteer beekeepers, warning that protecting pollinators remains essential for both the environment and the local econom

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena A review of leisure centre opening hours is set to be carried out by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council after councillors called for a rethink on bank holiday closures. Speaking at last week’s council meeting at The Braid in Ballymena, Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly proposed a motion calling for leisure facilities to open during bank holidays. Cllr Donnelly said: “For many of us, bank holidays are a welcome opportunity t

Murdock Builders Merchants team members Connor Gough, Stephen Patterson and Drew Fowler pictured ahead of the Murdock 110k fundraising challenge Four members of the Murdock team are preparing to push themselves through an extraordinary 24-hour endurance challenge that will see them collectively run a staggering 440 kilometres across Northern Ireland in aid of three charities with deep personal meaning to those taking part. The challenge, titled ‘Murdock 110KM’, will begin at

The Israeli flag at a car park on Knockan Road in Broughshane A complaint made to police over an Israeli flag being flown in a public area in Broughshane has resulted in no further action after the PSNI determined that no offence had been committed. Police confirmed officers attended the Knockan Road area on Saturday, 16th May, after receiving a report regarding the flag, which had been erected in the car park area. The incident has since prompted political reaction locally,

Braid Ulster Unionist representatives Sam Patton and Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Kells and Broughshane have warned that it is “only a matter of time” before someone is seriously injured amid growing concerns over the dangerous misuse of e-scooters by children and young people across the area. Braid Ulster Unionist representatives Sam Patton and Councillor Alan Barr say they have been contacted by multiple worried residents who claim e-scooters are being driven recklessl

Ballymena is preparing for one of its biggest annual public events as thousands of spectators, bandsmen, lodge members and families are expected to gather across the town for the 2026 District Twelfth demonstration. The traditional Twelfth of July parade will take place on Monday, 13 July, bringing together 30 local lodges, 17 bands and the unmistakable sound of the Lambeg drum as the procession makes its way through the town centre before heading to the main demonstration fi

Ballymena woman Gemma O’Hara A Ballymena woman who suffered a stroke at just 39 years old has spoken publicly about the “miracle” treatment that saved her life as pressure mounts on Northern Ireland’s Health Minister to deliver long-promised 24/7 thrombectomy services. Gemma O’Hara says she cannot bear to think what her life would look like today had she not received the emergency clot-removal procedure in time after collapsing shortly after returning home from a holiday in T

Police have launched an investigation after multiple schools and businesses across County Antrim received a concerning email on Tuesday morning, prompting increased patrols and urgent enquiries by officers. The PSNI confirmed on Tuesday 19th May that the email had been distributed to a number of locations in the area, sparking concern among parents, staff, businesses and local communities. Officers are now working to establish the origin and intent behind the message while li

Planning permission has been approved for a major new sports and community hub at Roger Casement GAC following a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at The Braid in Ballymena last week. The development at Gortgole Road will include a multi-purpose pavilion, floodlit 4G playing field, play park, spectator terraces, additional car parking, landscaping, fencing and associated site works. The proposal also includes a new access onto Lovers Lane and

Planning image of proposed new National Football Centre near Galgorm A major new National Football Centre proposed for a 50-acre site near Galgorm and Cullybackey is already generating strong local debate, with residents raising concerns over how the large-scale development could transform the surrounding rural area. The proposed Irish Football Association (IFA) complex, submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, would include six football pitches, spectator stands, fl

St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena has been ranked the top-performing school in Northern Ireland for A-Level results after achieving an extraordinary 98% rate of pupils securing three or more A-Level passes at grades A*-C. The achievement places the Ballymena school at number one in the Belfast Telegraph’s latest league table rankings for 2025, marking a major moment not only for the school community but for education in the wider North Antrim area. It comes amid growing pr

Pupils form Cambridge House Grammar School try their hand at cupcake decorating under the guidance of chef, Sandra McCooke as the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford and Colin Johnston, CEO of Galgorm Collection look on. Forty local pupils have been given a behind-the-scenes look at careers in hospitality and tourism as part of a growing Mid and East Antrim programme designed to connect classroom learning with real workplace opportunities.

HMO application refused: 119 Broughshane Street, Ballymena A planning application to convert a dwelling into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Ballymena town centre was refused by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee last week. The proposal related to an end-of-terrace property at 119 Broughshane Street. A planning officer told the committee the property is two-and-a-half storeys high and currently has one on-site parking space. He said the house con

Education Minister Paul Givan is pictured with Principal Malachy Conlon, Vice Principal Lauren McLoughlin and the youngest pupils at St Mary’s Queen of Peace Primary School Construction has officially begun on the long-awaited new building for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel, marking a major milestone for a community that has spent more than a decade waiting for the project to become reality. The £10million investment will deliver a modern nine-classroom schoo

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick made a special visit to Creavery Primary School where children from the school and Creggan Primary School took part in a fun Healthy Kids session. Children from two primary schools came together for an energetic Healthy Kids session this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council confirmed the programme has now reached more than 30 schools across the borough. The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillo

A growing basketball club in Ballymena is making a fresh push to bring more girls into the sport as it looks to build future league teams and expand opportunities for young players across the area. Ballymena Basketball Juniors, which currently competes in the BNI Junior League, says it already has a strong group of girls attending weekly training sessions — but hopes more young players will now come forward as the club works towards arranging friendly matches and eventually e

Local woman Jill Stewart (Jill Bakes) Sharp citrus, silky lemon filling, crisp buttery pastry and clouds of toasted Italian meringue — these beautiful mini lemon tarts from Portglenone baker Jill Stewart look like something straight from a boutique bakery window, yet they’re surprisingly achievable at home. Perfect for summer weekends, garden parties or simply an excuse to bake something gorgeous, this latest recipe from Jill Bakes strikes that sweet spot between impressive a

A still Image from the NSPCC’s new campaign ‘Shift Ctrl’ Children across Northern Ireland and the UK are increasingly turning to Childline in fear that intimate images shared online could destroy their futures, as new figures reveal a dramatic rise in counselling sessions linked to online sexual abuse and exploitation. The NSPCC says children are being exposed to growing levels of harm on social media and digital platforms, with young people reporting blackmail, coercion, onl

The Ballymena Branch of Parkinson's UK enjoyed a Movement to Music session as part of World Parkinson's Day. People across Ballymena living with Parkinson’s — along with their families and carers — are being encouraged to reach out for support through a long-running local group that has spent nearly two decades helping residents navigate one of the world’s fastest-growing neurological conditions. Parkinson’s UK’s Ballymena and District Branch says nobody affected by the condi

Smiles all round as Ready2Work Academy students stand outside Tuition Time with teachers and facilitators, celebrating the success of their showcase café event. A group of young people from Larne took a major step towards the world of work this week after stepping behind the counter to run a real café environment as part of a programme designed to help SEN school leavers build confidence and job-ready skills. Ten students from Roddensvale School showcased what they had learne