NEWS

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Galgorm Golf Club representatives and junior players. The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , has hosted a special reception recognising the outstanding achievements of Galgorm Golf Club’s junior players following a record-breaking season for the club. Junior representatives from the Ballymena club were welcomed to The Braid after two Galgorm teams – the Junior Cup side and the Fred

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents and guardians across Northern Ireland to ensure their children receive the seasonal flu vaccine, as the latest surveillance data shows influenza activity on the rise — with the highest positivity rate recorded in children aged 5–14. All pre-school children and those in primary school up to Year 12 are eligible for the free flu vaccine, delivered as a simple nasal spray. Dr Amanda McCullough, Specialty Registrar in Public Health

The Department of Education has published new School Uniform Guidelines to help schools across Northern Ireland prepare for upcoming statutory requirements expected to take effect from the 2026/27 academic year. The move follows the passage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill, which cleared its Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 13 October and will become law once it receives Royal Assent. Education Minister Paul Givan confirmed that the guid

A County Antrim charity supporting children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus has unveiled a groundbreaking all-terrain mobility wheelchair — the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Love Hope & Faith has announced the arrival of the Quadrix Watts E3, a specialist mobility innovation designed to offer greater freedom and accessibility for children and families living with lifelong conditions. Thanks to £20,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Northern

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

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

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

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

All photos: Cindy Robinson Photography In a heartfelt ceremony underscoring themes of hope, reconciliation, and academic triumph, Slemish College held its annual awards presentation on Friday, 24 October 2025, honouring the achievements of its pupils while advocating for the expansion of integrated education across the region. The event, hosted at the integrated post-primary school in Ballymena, brought together pupils, staff, parents, and distinguished guests to recognise ou

Children from Braidside Primary School, Ballymena, were joined by Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, as they enjoyed a Forest School session recently. Primary school pupils from across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area are embracing nature as part of this year’s Forest Schools Programme, funded by Council and delivered by the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA). With support from the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team, the in

Education Minister Paul Givan pictured with representatives from Ofek School, Jerusalem and the Israeli Ministry of Education. Education Minister Paul Givan has visited Ofek School in the Jerusalem District to learn more about Israel’s forward-thinking approaches to gifted education and inclusive learning. Mr Givan was welcomed by Principal Racheli Yitzhak , along with representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Education, teachers, and students. The Ofek School supports mo

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a reception for local Junior Drum Major champion Lydia Todd. Included in the photo are members of the McNeillstown Pipe Band . The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, has hosted a special reception to honour local talent Lydia Todd, who recently claimed three major Drum Major titles on the international stage. The 14-year-old Dalriada School pupil secured the 2025 Scottish, E

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued an Urgent Safety Alert warning parents and caregivers to stop using baby self-feeding products immediately and dispose of them safely, citing a serious risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Businesses have also been ordered to remove all such products from sale as they cannot meet safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Baby self-feeding products are designed to allow infants to b

Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.

(L-R) Dr Orla McBride, Study Lead for Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health, Northern Ireland and Beccy Shipman, Deputy Director of Data Strategy and Infrastructure at ESRC pictured at the official Northern Ireland launch of the landmark UK-wide birth cohort study Generation New Era (GNE). Ulster University launches UK-wide project to track childhood and family life for generations to come Nearly half o

Children dressed up for Halloween can enjoy a free meal at all 205 Asda Cafés nationwide on 31 October – with no adult spend required. This Halloween, families across the UK can look forward to a treat that won’t scare their wallets. On Friday 31 October, Asda is inviting children in fancy dress to eat for free in any of its 205 cafés nationwide, as part of its popular Kids Eat for £1 initiative. The offer coincides with half-term week, providing much-needed relief for parent

(L-R): Martina Reynolds, EA EdIS Project Lead; Richard Pengelly, EA Chief Executive; Frances Meehan EdIS Programme Director; Eve Bremner, EA Chief Education Officer; Seamus Bradley, EA Assistant Director; Mervyn Storey, EA Chairperson; Jane Murphy, Principal of Killicomaine Junior High School; Barney Jenkins, Managing Director Softlink; pictured with pupils of Killicomaine Junior High School, Portadown. A new and innovative school library system led by the Education Authority

Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla

Pupils of Ballykeel Primary School enjoying time in the Mayoral Parlour at The Braid, with Mayor of Mid & East Antrim, UUP Councillor Jackson Minford Pupils from Ballykeel Primary School enjoyed a lively morning at The Braid in Ballymena as they put local elected representatives on the spot with a series of challenging questions about life in local government. The Year 6 (P6) class met with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, and Independ

Tesco has announced the expansion of its Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, ensuring thousands more pupils across the UK – including in...