NEWS

Tienán Heffron on stage Performing at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert Celebrities, supporters and rising musical talent gathered at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert in partnership with Cunard, with 25-year-old County Antrim singer Tiernán Heffron taking to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment. The event, filled with festive readings, l

North Antrim MP Jim Allister with TUV party colleague Timothy Gaston MLA, pictured with local staff at Royal Mail in Ballymena North Antrim MP Jim Allister has praised the dedication of postal workers in Ballymena following an early morning tour of the town’s Royal Mail sorting facility ahead of the festive rush. Mr Allister visited the operation with Timothy Gaston MLA , where he said he witnessed first-hand the efficiency of the centre as staff manage one of the busiest pe

Ahead of Christmas 2025, the Post Office has shared new research that reveals rising demand and a growing number of people leaving festive sending to the last minute. The organisation is urging the public to post early, with fresh data showing that more people plan to send gifts this year compared with 2024 (33 per cent in 2025 vs 20 per cent in 2024). The Post Office says early planning is essential to avoid queues, reduce last-minute stress and ensure parcels arrive before

Toomebridge-based manufacturer Uform has pledged its support to Cancer Fund for Children through a new strategic charity partnership aimed at helping families affected by childhood cancer this Christmas and beyond. Cancer Fund for Children provides vital emotional, social and therapeutic support to children and young people diagnosed with cancer, as well as to their families. For many, the impact of a diagnosis extends far beyond medical treatment, affecting mental health, ed

Fionntán McGarvey As the countdown to Christmas begins, one Belfast family is urging people across Northern Ireland to talk openly about organ donation — a conversation they say helped them honour their teenage son’s final wishes and save the lives of others. On Organ Donation Discussion Day, Thursday 11 December, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging households to take a moment to consider their decision about organ and tissue donation and share that choice with love

Veronica Jackson, Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience graduate and Northern Regional College staff member, pictured at the College’s Higher Education Graduation. Northern Regional College has celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025 at its Higher Education and Access Graduation Ceremony, held on Thursday 4 December at Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena. The event brought together students, families, staff, govern

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with students and staff at Northern Regional College, Ballymena, along with Danielle Polkey, Eden Hair & Beauty, Darren Lyttle, Circle Creative Communications, Karl Scullion, Museco, and Christine Barnhill, Economic Development Officer, MEABC. Ballymena students have connected with some of Mid and East Antrim’s leading business figures during the borough’s final session of the innovative ‘Future Founders’ prog

Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning Members of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland have elected a new Grand Master — only the 21st to hold the leadership role in the Institution’s 230-year history. Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning was unanimously ratified as the new Grand Master during a meeting of more than 100 senior Orangemen, succeeding Most Wor. Bro. Edward Stevenson, who has led the Institution since 2011. Bro. Henning, a long-standing member of Drumlough Heroes LOL 153 in Rathfri

The United Kingdom’s embrace of the digital realm has reached unprecedented heights, with 98 per cent of adults now online – a testament to seamless connectivity that has transformed everyday routines. Yet, as Ofcom’s comprehensive Online Nations 2025  report illustrates, this near-universal access is shadowed by widening disparities in app adoption and persistent digital exclusion. Drawing on surveys of more than 6,000 adults and detailed usage data from May 2025, the repor

L-R: Jan McCrudden, her son Portrush RNLI lifeboat volunteer Roo McCrudden and Roo’s granny Pat Torbitt As the RNLI launches its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, volunteers across the UK and Ireland are preparing to spend the festive season on call — including Portrush RNLI crewmember Richard “Roo” McCrudden , for whom lifesaving is very much a family tradition. Roo will remain on standby throughout the Christmas period, while his mother Jan and 92-year-old grandmother

Ballymena is gearing up for a major festive celebration this Saturday, 13 December, as Santa’s Spectacular Festive Cavalcade returns for its third year—complete with hundreds of illuminated vehicles, charity fundraising, and the hugely popular Festive Minions bringing lively chaos to the town centre earlier in the day. The much anticipated Christmas convoy, which always attracts visitors from near and far, has rapidly become one of Ballymena’s standout seasonal events. Host

The Education Authority (EA) has confirmed that there are no plans for general school closures today despite the escalating weather situation as Storm Bram moves across Northern Ireland. A spokesperson for the EA said: “Following the escalation of the Storm Bram warning this morning, the Education Authority has discussed the situation with the Department. At this stage, it is not planned to issue general school closure notices.” “Instead, school principals are being encourag

Midwife Shelley Sheppard and Sister Elaine O’Boyle from Antrim Area Hospital maternity team The Northern Trust has enhanced its maternity services to better support autistic women and neurodivergent families, becoming the first maternity team in Northern Ireland to receive an autism-friendly accreditation. The Trust’s maternity team has implemented a series of improvements designed to make pregnancy, birth and early parenting more accessible, calmer and more personalised for

Children in Ballymena are set for an extra dose of festive cheer this year as two local retailers announce a major Christmas giveaway featuring all 15 toys from the prestigious DreamToys 2025 list. Following the official unveiling of the highly anticipated selection, Smyths at Braidwater Retail Park and ToyTown in Fairhill Shopping Centre have teamed up to offer a dream prize for local youngsters — the full lineup of this year’s must-have toys, gadgets and games. The initia

Ronny McFall, Community Champion at Tesco Ballymena Tesco customers in Ballymena are being encouraged to help bring festive cheer to local children in need by donating new toys to The Salvation Army this Christmas. Until 15 December, the Tesco Ballymena Superstore is hosting a special collection point for new and unwrapped toys, which will be distributed to families across the local area by The Salvation Army. The organisation supports vulnerable people through homelessness s

Dogs Trust Ballymena is encouraging festive shoppers to consider a heartfelt and meaningful Christmas gift this year by sponsoring one of the charity’s dogs, including much-loved English Springer Spaniel, Zebedee. With Christmas preparations well underway, Dogs Trust’s ‘Sponsor A Dog Scheme’ provides an ideal present for the canine enthusiast in your life. A sponsorship not only supports the charity’s work caring for around 1,500 dogs at any one time, but also includes a rang

Brie and cranberry is the elite festive flavour combo for me, and add it to some garlic bread, and you have the most unreal snack that is bound to be a crowd-pleaser! Jill Stewart ( @jillbakes_ ) INGREDIENTS… 1 garlic bread baguette Half a wedge of brie, sliced Cranberry sauce Grated cheddar or mozzarella INSTRUCTIONS… • Place the garlic bread on a sheet of greaseproof paper inside your air fryer or on a baking tray if using the oven. • Pull the slices apart gently. • Add abo

Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team The pioneering work of Northern Trust’s Farm Families Health Check team has been recognised at the 2025 NI Farming Awards, with the programme receiving the prestigious Farm Safety Affiliate Award. The accolade highlights the team’s commitment to bringing accessible healthcare directly into the heart of rural communities, and its efforts to raise awareness of how personal health is closely linked to farm safety. For years, the F

Gavin and Elaine Lowry, with sons Timmy (left) and Joshua (right) A Ballymena family is rallying behind a much-loved father, husband, and classroom assistant as they take on an extraordinary endurance challenge to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and vital funds for the charity NIPANC (Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer). The event, organised by Gavin Lowry’s daughter-in-law Megan with support from wider family and friends, has already raised more than £3,000 — with hope

Women’s Aid ABCLN Retail Manager Michelle McIlwrath, Noreen McClelland, Women’s Aid CEO Gillian Creevy with staff and volunteers. Women’s Aid ABCLN has officially opened a vibrant new pop-up shop in the heart of Antrim, offering shoppers a chance to find high-quality preloved treasures while supporting vital local services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The new store, based in Grace House on Fountain Street, features an impressive selection of new and nea