NEWS

Ballymena United Football Club has announced that first team manager Jim Ervin has departed the club, bringing an end to his two and a half years in charge at the Showgrounds. In a statement issued on Monday morning, the club confirmed the decision and expressed deep gratitude for Ervin’s service — both as a manager and as a respected former player. The board said it wished to place on record its “upmost thanks to Jim and his staff for their efforts and support during his two

Tom Wiggins, CEO Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, and (L-R) Lauren Kelso from Lauren Kelso Illustrator, Debbie Chestnutt (Good Morning, Ballymena), and Lucinda Graham (Galgorm Melts). The Ballymena Chamber of Commerce is set to launch its first-ever Artisan Christmas Fair next month, offering a festive celebration of local craftsmanship, community spirit, and seasonal entertainment. The free-entry event will take place this coming weekend on Saturday 6 December 2025, from 11am

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, showcasing a strong mix of children’s favourites, festive reads, high-profile memoirs and brand-new fiction — all proving popular with local shoppers in the run-up to Christmas. Leading the list is Jeff Kinney’s newest instalment of the global sensation Diary of a Wimpy Kid, while titles by Charlie Mackesy, Dan Brown, Wendy Erskine and Jeremy Clarkson also feature prominently in a varied selection appeal

Mid and East Antrim councillors have accepted an increase to their basic allowance from the Department for Communities, which will take their annual payment to £18,916. The 3.2 per cent rise, up from £18,329, will be backdated to 1 April and will apply until 31 March 2026, in line with payments to councillors across Northern Ireland. Councillors’ basic allowance includes an element for incidentals and consumable costs incurred in the course of their duties, which will now amo

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to bring new festive magic to the borough this December with the launch of the first-ever Carrickfergus Christmas Twinkle Trail. The free family-friendly attraction will run at Shaftesbury Park from Sunday 7 to Thursday 11 December, offering visitors a gentle, glowing Christmas walk filled with illuminated features. Designed especially for young families, the Twinkle Trail will transform the park into a sparkling seasonal experience,

North Pole-sent, and full of fun and clever ideas, Ballymena BID’s dynamic duo Emma McCrea (Manager) and Clare Moore (Business Engagement Officer) continue on mission, urging shoppers to discover the best of Ballymena businesses this Christmas! Ballymena has stepped into the festive period with renewed confidence after a hugely successful Ballymena Discount Day and the announcement that Ballymena BID has secured a third term. The dual boost marks a significant moment for loca

Music lovers across Ballymena are being invited as two of the town’s most cherished musical groups prepare to take to the stage together for a special joint concert this weekend. The Ballymena Young Conquerors Concert Flute Band, the town’s longest surviving musical ensemble with roots stretching back to 1886, will unite with the renowned Seven Towers Male Voice Choir, who celebrated their centenary in 2024. The collaboration promises an uplifting and memorable evening of mus

A new partnership between the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and charity organisation Pets as Therapy is helping bring comfort, companionship and emotional support to patients through regular therapeutic pet visits in hospital wards. As part of the initiative, therapy dogs Pickle, Charlie and Bailey – accompanied by their volunteer owners – have begun visiting patients in a number of specialist units at Antrim Area Hospital. Gillian and her golden retriever-poodle

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the proposed sale of a multi-storey car park in Ballymena town centre. Minutes of a discussion, which took place behind closed doors at a council meeting last month, state that a report had sought approval to market Springwell Street Multi-Storey Car Park for sale. Councillors were advised that a sale would “represent a significant impact on capital budget”. However, members requested further information to be pro

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has appealed for calm following the Public Prosecution Service’s decision to withdraw attempted rape charges against two teenage boys in relation to a reported sexual assault in Ballymena earlier this year. The charges, stemming from allegations reported on 7th June 2025, were formally withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday, 28 November, after what the PPS described as “significant evidential developments”. Both

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford, pictured with a Christmas tree surrounded by toy donations made by the residents of Mid and East Antrim. Christmas generosity is already shining across Mid and East Antrim as residents rally behind the Borough’s seventh annual Pre-Loved Toys Scheme, donating nearly two tonnes of toys in just the first weeks of the initiative. Since opening on Monday 27 October, dedicated Christmas toy c

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has formally withdrawn attempted rape charges brought against two juvenile boys in connection with a reported sexual assault in Ballymena earlier this year. The charges, which related to an alleged incident on Saturday 7th June 2025, were withdrawn at Laganside Youth Court on Friday, 28 November. Both the PPS and senior detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) Public Protection Branch met with the complainant and her

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, (centre) cuts the ribbon at the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre reopening with representatives from the Ulster Scots Agency and Arthur Cottage guides. Images: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the much-anticipated reopening of the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre in Cullybackey, following a significant refurbishment designed to enhance one of the

A man wanted in connection with child sexual offences in Ballymena has been extradited from Spain to Northern Ireland, five years after he allegedly failed to answer bail. The 45-year-old suspect was transferred back to Northern Ireland on Thursday, 27 November 2025, following his arrest earlier this year in the Canary Islands. He is wanted to stand trial for five offences of sexual activity with a child, alleged to have taken place in the Ballymena area in August and October

John Ferris, Accelerator Leader, Ulster Bank; Kerri Anderson, Head of Fundraising, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, and Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking, Ulster Bank. Ulster Bank colleagues in Ballymena have helped raise more than £155,000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) as part of this year’s major ‘One Week in September’ fundraising campaign — delivering a six-figure boost for the charity’s lifesaving work. Staff at the Ballymena branch organised a series of ev

The interim chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has defended the authority’s decision to move to blue mixed-recycling bins in Ballymena and Carrickfergus from 2026/27, despite neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council phasing out the very same system. Speaking during Monday night’s full council meeting at The Braid in Ballymena, Valerie Watts responded to a public question which asked: “Who is right – Antrim council getting rid of blue bins or B

The potential for locating a dog park at the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena has been dismissed at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council this week. The issue was raised through a public question submitted ahead of Monday evening’s meeting at The Braid in Ballymena. Responding, Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts said: “After consideration of this question, it would be council’s view that Ecos is not a suitable location for a dog park for a number of reasons. “A key

Victoria Brown, Director of Marketing at Galgorm Collection and Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations at Galgorm accept the award for Best Spa Weekend at the Condé Nast Johansens in London. Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury resort, has secured a series of major international accolades at the World Luxury Awards and the Condé Nast Johansens Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading spa and hospitality destinations. The global recognition comes as the

Proudly brought to you by Ballymena BID (Business Improvement District) Ballymena Town Centre is gearing up for a magical festive season, unveiling a vibrant programme of family-friendly events, Christmas characters, charity activities and pop-up entertainment designed to bring joy and festive spirit to the heart of the town. With festive shopping, cosy cafés, vibrant bars and restaurants, and a full schedule of December activities, Ballymena is inviting visitors from near an

Crowned ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the 2025 British Hairdressing Awards, Chloe Houston of Houston Hair, Ballymena Chloe Houston of Houston Hair has been crowned Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional — a remarkable achievement for the 21-year-old stylist in her first ever entry to the competition. Her win marks a significant milestone, placing her among the brightest rising stars in UK hairdressing. Known locally for