NEWS

Ballymena Showgrounds Mid and East Antrim Borough Council planners are considering a planning application for a new 3G football pitch and spectator stand at Ballymena Showgrounds. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of the council for proposed works at the home of Ballymena United Football Club. The proposal includes the installation of a full-size 3G pitch to replace the existing grass pitch, along with a new 200-seat spectator stand and floodlighting. A

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew on Galgorm Road, Ballymena, near Cambridge House Grammar School North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) that a pedestrian crossing near Cambridge House Grammar School on Ballymena’s Galgorm Road will be considered in future traffic management works. Mr Frew said the development follows years of concerns raised by local residents about safety on the busy road, particularly for schoolchildren

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Chair of the Memorial Committee, Councillor Peter Johnston, officially launching Council’s new War Memorials and Monuments interactive website. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unveiled a new interactive website that invites residents and visitors to explore the history, stories, and significance of War Memorials and Monuments across the Borough. The platform provides instant access to locations, images, and

Residents across Antrim and Newtownabbey are being invited to celebrate the start of the festive season at one of seven magical Christmas Light Switch On events taking place throughout the Borough from 20–29 November 2025. Each event promises festive entertainment, family fun, and a dazzling light display, creating an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike. The celebrations will kick off in Crumlin on Thursday 20 November at the Crumlin Leisure Centre from

A celebration of female entrepreneurship and local creativity will take centre stage this weekend as Enterprising Women MEA hosts its highly anticipated Winter Showcase at Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena , on Saturday 8 November from 9am to 4pm . Following the success of last year’s event, this year’s showcase promises to be “bigger and better than ever” , with 17 talented local traders bringing an array of handcrafted gifts, festive treats and creative products — just i

Senior staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust pictured with representatives from SOS Causeway following a recent meeting where the group received an update from the Trust on the wide range of mental health services provided across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Senior staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have described recent discussions with community representatives from SOS Causeway as “productive” , following a meeting focused on mental h

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has warned that families already struggling with the cost of living will be “hit hard” by the Education Authority’s decision to raise the price of school meals by around 20 per cent. The increase – equivalent to an extra 50p per meal – is due to take effect from January 2026, as part of a series of savings measures introduced by the Education Authority (EA) to tackle a £300 million funding shortfall. Mr Burrows, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Ed

Member of Veterans Support Group Ballymena setting off on their fundraising 18-mile march from Templepatrick to Ballymena in the darkness of early morning In the early hours of Saturday 1 November, a determined group of military veterans and supporters set off from Templepatrick roundabout on an arduous 18-mile sponsored march to Ballymena Services Club, raising an estimated £4,000 for the Veterans Support Group Ballymena (VSGB). The gruelling challenge was the idea of Stephe

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew speaking today in the Northern Ireland Assembly A motion led today (Thursday 5 November) by North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew to support service leavers, veterans, and their families through the Armed Forces Covenant has been passed in the Northern Ireland Assembly, receiving cross-party backing. The motion gained support from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and the Alliance Party, marking a rare instance of cross

Parents across Northern Ireland are bracing for higher school meal prices and potential changes to transport and music provision after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed a series of cost-saving measures to address a £300 million funding shortfall. The EA said the “regrettable” measures, which aim to deliver up to £30 million in savings, will begin to take effect this month. However, the organisation warned that even with these cuts, it will be “some distance” from breaki

More than 195,000 Universal Credit recipients in Northern Ireland will gain automatic entitlement to free NHS sight tests, dental treatment, and travel cost support from 1 December, following a key legislative update announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. The move brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK, after years of disparity in how Universal Credit recipients accessed the Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme. The HwHC scheme supports people on low in

Ahoghill in Bloom volunteer John Wilson, with the team’s special award Community pride shines as Ahoghill earns Community Resilience Award and Small Town runner-up honour at prestigious horticultural event Ahoghill’s community volunteers are celebrating after being recognised with a special accolade at the 2025 Ulster in Bloom Awards, held at Grand Central Station in Belfast. The village received the Community Resilience Award, highlighting the remarkable spirit and teamwork

Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr with new UUP Braid representative Samantha Patton, and (centre) North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed Samantha Patton as its new North Antrim representative for the Braid area, where she will work alongside Councillor Alan Barr to strengthen community engagement and champion local issues. A respected businesswoman, early years educator, and former RAF servicewoman, Samantha brings a wealth of experience and d

Cadets from Cullybackey Detachment C Company have been praised for their “fantastic job” preparing Craigs Parish Church ahead of this Sunday’s Remembrance Service. A spokesperson for the Parishes of Craigs, Dunaghy and Killagan said the young cadets spent Tuesday evening decorating the church in readiness for the annual commemoration. “Last night, the cadets from Cullybackey Detachment C Company did a fantastic job decorating Craigs Parish Church in preparation for Sunday m

“Honoured as Member of Parliament for South Antrim to place a Memorial at the Opening of the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance.” – Robin Swann MP Following intervention by South Antrim MP Robin Swann , the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has confirmed that the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and related merchandise are not subject to EU regulations. Guidance will now be updated to reflect this clarification. Mr Swann welcomed the decision as “a win for commo

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, with his much-loved companions Cassie and Maggie. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Jon Burrows has voiced strong support for reforming Northern Ireland’s fireworks legislation, describing the current situation as “deeply distressing” for families, pet owners, and communities affected by irresponsible use. The North Antrim MLA, who is a well-known dog lover, said his own pet suffers panic attacks during fireworks seaso

Kain Stewart in the ring Ballymena’s rising combat sports star King Kain Stewart delivered an electrifying performance in Birmingham as part of the prestigious Breakthrough Fight Series, streamed live on Notorious TV. The ten-year-old sensation, a pupil of Ballykeel Primary School, lready a multiple world champion, secured a mid-card slot on the event — a remarkable achievement for such a young athlete. Fresh from an incredible showing at the WKA World Championships, where he

The two thieves making off with the bike, and (inset) Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lyness A second bicycle has been stolen in as many weeks from All Saints Chapel in Ballymena, prompting renewed calls for vigilance from local Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lyness . The latest theft reportedly occurred while parishioners were attending Mass at the All Saints Parish Centre, highlighting growing concern over opportunistic crimes targeting community spaces. Confirming the incid

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick looks forward to the opening of Enchanted Winter Garden for 2025. Antrim Castle Gardens will once again transform into a festive wonderland this winter as the Enchanted Winter Garden returns from Friday 28 November to Tuesday 30 December 2025 — with even more magic, light and family fun than ever before. Presented by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, this year’s event promises to be the most spectacular

Barkley Thompson Musical Director and members of the Farmers Choir who attended the awards evening.   Members of the Farmers’ Choir were delighted to attend the Northern Ireland Farming Awards 2025, where the group was recognisedo as a finalist in two prestigious categories – Farming Event of the Year and Farming Society of the Year. The choir received a Highly Commended accolade in the Farming Society of the Year category, acknowledging its exceptional contribution to rural