NEWS

Mrs Valerie Alexander, Dunclug College What began as a journey from Ballymena to some of the poorest communities in India has grown into a life-changing mission that has transformed opportunities for countless young people — and earned one local teacher national recognition in The King’s Birthday Honours. Mrs Valerie Alexander, a driving force behind Dunclug College’s long-standing partnership with the ASHA Society in New Delhi, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM)

Sabrina Lynn, Head of Service, Louise Gillespie, Programme Delivery Officer, Suzanne Pullins, Northern Trust Chief Executive, and Lynsey McVitty, Health and Wellbeing Locality Lead, prepare to cut the celebration cake at the ‘thank you’ event. Hundreds of patients and service users across Northern Ireland benefit every year from the time, compassion and dedication of volunteers working within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust — and this week those volunteers were reco

The UFU is encouraging consumers to question the origin of the beef they purchase this World Cup. Local beef farmers are being urged to put the spotlight on the origin of the meat on consumers’ plates this summer, as the Ulster Farmers’ Union launches a new campaign amid mounting concerns over imports, falling farmgate prices and growing pressure on the beef sector. The UFU’s ‘Where Is Your Beef From?’ campaign is running throughout the FIFA World Cup and aims to encourage sh

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has strongly defended its handling of the recent nights of public disorder across Belfast and beyond, insisting officers “acted appropriately and undoubtedly saved lives” amid scenes that saw homes and vehicles set alight, families forced to flee, and dozens of officers injured. The robust response comes amid criticism of policing tactics during the unrest, which erupted in the days following the attempted murder of a man in Belfast’s Ki

Derry’s iconic waterfront will be transformed into a spectacular illuminated riverscape this month as a brand-new night-time attraction brings glowing Tall Ships, maritime legends and artistic light installations to the banks of the River Foyle. Visitors to the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival will be able to experience Sails of Solas, a striking after-hours spectacle that will see the festival’s Tall Ships bathed in light from 10pm until 3am across three nights. The new addition

NIFRS On-Call Crew Commander at Ballyclare Fire Station, Sam Todd A firefighter from Ballyclare who has spent nearly four decades serving his local community has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, highlighting a lifetime of public service both on the frontline with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and through his long career with Translink. Sam Todd, an On-Call Crew Commander at Ballyclare Fire Station, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in rec

DUP Bannside Councillor Tyler Hoey A proposal inspired by a Ballymena child who became overwhelmed before attending a community event is set to bring sensory support boxes into council buildings across Mid and East Antrim after receiving unanimous backing from local councillors. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council voted in favour of a motion brought forward by DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey during a meeting at The Braid on Monday, June 8, paving the way for officers to examine the

County Antrim man David Radcliffe, awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 County Antrim man David Radcliffe has spent decades shaping young lives in classrooms across Northern Ireland, overcome cancer not once but twice, returned to work after losing a leg, inspired countless pupils through his determination, and even captured the hearts of television viewers on a national game show. Now, his extraordinary contribution has been recognised with an MBE in the King’s

Missing County Tyrone woman Lyndsey Rankin The search for a missing County Tyrone woman has entered its tenth day, with police renewing their appeal for information as extensive searches continue around Lower Lough Erne and the Castle Archdale area. Thirty-one-year-old Lyndsey Rankin, from Castlederg, was reported missing after she was last seen in the Castle Archdale Marina area of Lisnarick at approximately 9.30am on Friday, 5 June. She was wearing black leggings and a dark

Manchester United fans will get an unprecedented look behind the scenes at one of the world’s biggest football clubs after Prime Video confirmed it will follow the Red Devils throughout the 2026/27 season for the latest instalment of its hugely successful All or Nothing documentary series. The access-all-areas production will begin filming this summer and will track Manchester United as they prepare for a return to the UEFA Champions League while attempting to build on what t

Council's Age Friendly Coordinator Stephanie Scott (left) with Councillor Tanya Elder, Council's Age Friendly Champion. Older people across the Causeway Coast and Glens are being encouraged to speak out, seek support and help raise awareness of elder abuse as the borough marks the 20th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On Monday, June 15, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is joining a global campaign aimed at highlighting the abuse, neglect and exploitati

Greg McKinley, Operations Director at The Gallaher Trust, was the recipient of a BEM in this year’s King’s Birthday Honour’s List. Greg is pictured delivering an address at the recent Ballymena 400: Building on Partnership and Progress event. The quiet work of helping people into jobs, supporting skills development and ensuring a major Ballymena employer left a lasting legacy has earned one local man one of the UK’s most respected honours. Greg McKinley, Operations Director o

(L-R) Sarah McLaughlin, Executive Director for Health, and Catriona Delargy, IMPACTAgewell Team Leader, Agewell Partnership For many older people across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus, support for better health and wellbeing is increasingly being found not just in a doctor’s surgery, but through local community groups, advice services and social activities designed to reduce isolation and improve quality of life. That approach was placed firmly in the spotlight this month

Children across the UK will be banned from using major social media platforms under landmark government plans designed to “give kids their childhood back”, in what ministers are describing as the most far-reaching package of online protections introduced anywhere in the world. The proposed measures would prevent under-16s from accessing platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube, while also introducing sweeping restrictions on harmful online feat

Leanne Richmond, Clinical Sister in the Neonatal Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. A baby’s earliest experiences can have a profound impact on their future emotional wellbeing, according to healthcare professionals at Antrim Area Hospital, who are using Infant Mental Health Awareness Week to highlight the lifelong importance of strong early relationships. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is raising awareness of how simple but meaningful interactions between babies and th

Rea’s Wood at Loughshore Park, Antrim Bathers are being advised to stay out of the water at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh this summer after the site was again classified as “poor” for water quality due to faecal contamination and recurring blue-green algae. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has advised against bathing at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh in Antrim, councillors have been told. A report presented to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

CAFRE’s online and short courses offers the best of both worlds to develop your knowledge and skills For people working in the equine industry, balancing education with employment, family commitments and the demands of horse care can be a significant challenge. CAFRE is aiming to bridge that gap with a range of flexible online and blended-learning equine courses designed to fit around busy lives. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is encouraging pro

A motorist escaped unharmed after a group of masked men allegedly attempted to drag him from his vehicle during a brazen daylight incident in Cookstown. Police have launched an investigation following what detectives are treating as an attempted hijacking on the East Circular Road on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred between 2.10pm and 2.15pm on Wednesday, 10 June, when the driver was travelling along the road and noticed a number of males dressed in dark clothing, w

Alcohol-related deaths in Northern Ireland remain at concerning levels, with health officials and addiction specialists warning that many people may be drinking more than they realise — particularly at home. As Northern Ireland Alcohol Awareness Week gets underway on Monday, 15 June, the Public Health Agency (PHA), community pharmacy teams and alcohol support organisations are urging people to take a closer look at their drinking habits and consider making small changes that

The burnt out vehicle on Sunday morning A car was completely destroyed after a deliberate fire in a residential area of Ballymena in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting a police appeal for information. The incident happened in the Shetlands Gardens area of Ballykeel II shortly after 3.10am on Sunday, June 14, when emergency services were called to reports of a vehicle on fire. Police officers attended the scene alongside crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescu