NEWS

Site plan for the proposed BESS in rural Kells, Ballymena A proposed 150MW battery energy storage facility (BESS) at Lisnunnan Road, Kells, is set to be considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday night (February 16), with planning officers recommending approval subject to conditions. The application, submitted by Valor Power of 73 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, seeks permission for the erection of a large-scale battery storage facility

Rhonda Geary, RUAS Group Operations Director and Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank, kick off the countdown to the 2026 Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank. The pair are joined by county Antrim farmer, John Cross, who received the award for Champion Clydesdale at the 2025 event. The countdown to Balmoral Show 2026 has officially begun, with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) announcing that Ulster Bank will return as principal sponsor

The Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland Committee Members The Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland has marked a year of continued growth, strong community engagement and musical success at its fourth Annual General Meeting, held recently at Ballymena Academy. Members gathered to reflect on a busy and productive year for the choir, which has continued to expand its audience reach while strengthening its role as a social and cultural outlet for people from rural and farming backgrounds

Fundraising events help fund one full day of life-saving air ambulance service Craigs Vintage & Classic Club has raised £8,320 for Air Ambulance NI through a series of fundraising events held across 2025, generating enough money to fund one full day of the life-saving helicopter emergency medical service operating across Northern Ireland. The funds were raised through a corn cutting day in August and a tractor run in November, with club members visiting the charity’s airbase

Artist’s impression of the new building for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel, County Antrim. Confirmation that a contractor has been appointed to deliver the new £7.28 million school building for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel has been welcomed as a major milestone for the local community. The rural primary school in the Glens of Antrim has faced a lengthy journey to reach this stage, with the announcement bringing renewed optimism for pupils,

William Sayers A powerful first-hand account of the dangers faced on Northern Ireland’s farms will be shared in Ballyeaston tomorrow night, as William Sayers addresses a Farm Health and Safety talk hosted by the Ballyeaston Vintage Tractor Club. The free event takes place on Friday 6 February at 7.30pm, at 19 Trenchill Road, Ballyeaston, BT39 9SJ , with tea and refreshments served and everyone welcome. Organisers say the evening is aimed at farmers, families and the wider r

Lisnamurrican YFC members Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel visited Air Ambulance NI headquarters to present the cheque for an incredible £15,000 Members of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) have proudly presented a cheque for £15,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, marking a major fundraising achievement during the club’s 85th anniversary year. A group of club members — Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel — travelled to the charity’s headquarters in Lisbur

Minister Andrew Muir pictured with Newry Mourne and Down Council Chair Cllr Philip Campbell, Shane O’Reilly, Manager of Ballyward Equestrian Estate and Ceto a six-year-old mare bred at Ballyward. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed a £7.91 million investment supporting more than 2,350 rural community organisations and businesses across Northern Ireland over the past year, describing it as a significant step towards building stronger, more sustainable rural communities. Th

Police in Ballymena have attended the Shilnavogy Road area following reports of suspected hare coursing, as officers continue to step up efforts to tackle wildlife crime across the district. Ballymena Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) confirmed they were in the area on Saturday (January 10) after receiving information suggesting illegal hare coursing activity. Hare coursing, which involves the pursuit of hares by dogs for sport or gambling, is illegal and widely regarded as a

Farmers’ Choir members who participated in the Life Beyond Service. The past year has proved to be both memorable and deeply fulfilling for the Farmers’ Choir, as its 55 members came together through music, friendship and a shared commitment to supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. Under the leadership of Musical Director Barkley Thompson, the choir enjoyed a packed programme of concerts, community events and media appearances, reinforcing its role as an impor

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w

The Farmers’ Choir has enjoyed a highly successful and uplifting Christmas season, delighting audiences across Northern Ireland with a programme of festive music, warm humour and community spirit — while raising thousands of pounds for local charities along the way. The choir’s Christmas celebrations began with a festive concert in First Larne Presbyterian Church, hosted by Larne Foodbank. Performing a range of much-loved Christmas favourites, the choir entertained a warmly

More than £30 million in additional funding has been allocated to improve roads across Northern Ireland, with £4 million specifically targeted at the rural road network, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced. The new funding package, secured through the December Monitoring process, will support an expanded programme of road improvement works aimed at addressing longstanding maintenance challenges and improving safety for road users across both urban and rural area

Fibrus Networks Ltd appointed to deliver Project Gigabit. More than 9,000 rural homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from fast, reliable broadband under a major new £34.6 million infrastructure programme announced by the Economy Minister. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed that Fibrus Networks Ltd has been appointed to deliver Project Gigabit, the UK government-funded scheme aimed at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-re

The 2025 Agricultural Census for Northern Ireland, published on Thursday 11 December by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), paints a picture of a farming sector that remains resilient but is continuing to evolve in response to economic pressures, environmental demands and changing markets. Based on data captured as of 1 June 2025, the census provides a comprehensive snapshot of active farm businesses across Northern Ireland, drawing on an onl

Farmers’ Choir at their 2024 Christmas Concert The Farmers’ Choir is set to bring festive cheer to communities in Kilrea and Ballymena this December, as it prepares to deliver two special Christmas performances filled with music, Scripture and seasonal celebration. The Choir will open its December schedule with a traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Tuesday 2 December at 8pm in St Patrick’s Church, Kilrea . Audiences can expect a reflective and uplifting evening

L-R Claire McNair, Ballyclare Ladies Farm Forum, Ashleigh Magee, Gillian Dawson, Suzanne Pullins, Interim Chief Executive, NHSCT, Yvonne Carson, Rural Health and Wellbeing Manager, NHSCT and Anna Simms, Ballyclare Ladies Farm Forum, More than sixty women from across rural communities gathered at Gleno Young Farmers Hall to mark the International Day of Rural Women, at an event organised by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) in partnership with Ballyclare Ladies

Farmers Margaret little & Delene Shannon alongside Diana Armstrong MLA and UFU President William Irvine Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong has urged the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to act on key recommendations from the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, calling for faster progress in achieving gender equality across Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector. Speaking after attending the Women in Agriculture Conference at Loughry

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has agreed to write to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA urging him to “reflect on his actions around...

Musical Director Barkley Thompson with new accompanists Grace Dornan and Roseanna Hunter. The Farmers’ Choir has launched its Winter...