Love Ballymena

18/02/2025

The course provided participants with a unique blend of industry-specific qualifications and hands-on experience.

Over 50 training certifications were awarded by the Tourism Academy in Carrickfergus following a new initiative aimed at upskilling local individuals and enhancing Northern Ireland’s tourism sector.

18/02/2025

The NSPCC wants the UK Government to push Ofcom to review and strengthen their most recent codes of practice on tackling this threat to children's safety online.

The number of child s*xual abuse image crimes in Northern Ireland recorded by the PSNI has risen by almost a quarter (24%) in the last 12 months and almost doubled over the last five years (98%), new data obtained by the NSPCC has revealed.

18/02/2025

17/02/2025

𝐓𝐕 | A new batch of VIPs are preparing to embark on the original social experiment, taking up residence in the Big Brother house, which has moved to a brand-new secret location for the forthcoming instalment.

A new batch of VIPs are preparing to embark on the original social experiment, taking up residence in the Big Brother house, which has moved to a brand-new secret location for the forthcoming instalment.

17/02/2025

Up to 1 in 10 of the population in Northern Ireland are estimated to be at risk of Genetic Haemochromatosis.

The findings indicate that there is a clear economic case for routine population-based GH screening in Northern Ireland under a range of assumptions for the prevalence of GH. The economic case is strongest for screening people in their 40s.

17/02/2025

Official government statistics show that since 2013, there has been an average of 280 collisions a year where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor.

A quarter of drivers (25%) who find vehicle headlights too bright are driving less at night as a result, while 22% say they wish they could, a major new study on headlight glare from the RAC shows.

17/02/2025

𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐰 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐚

Shaw Automation is currently recruiting for 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 / 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 to join the team at its base in Woodside Industrial Estate, Ballymena.

For more information or to apply to work in this fantastic local company, please email your CV to Karen!

𝐄: [email protected]

17/02/2025

Springtime-is-coming vibes on Rathlin Island, County Antrim. 🌼

📸 Rathlin Stickybeak

17/02/2025

𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐒 𝐁𝐘 💞 𝑇𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑎 𝑀𝑐𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟
ᴘᴏᴘ-ᴜᴘ sʜᴏᴘ, ᴡᴇʟʟɪɴɢᴛᴏɴ sᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ • ᴛᴜᴇ 18 ғᴇʙ, 10ᴀᴍ - 2ᴘᴍ

NRC SEN student Tiana McMaster will be running a pop-up shop tomorrow (Tuesday 18 February) at the former Shoe Zone shop on Wellington Street, Ballymena.

Tiana will be showcasing her beautiful handmade crafts, including homemade cards, bookmarks, and prints.

Please take this opportunity to pop-in between 10am - 2pm to support this talented young entrepreneur and celebrate her creativity!

17/02/2025

The Environment and Economy Committee meeting was informed behind closed doors last month that the council’s funding bid to Peaceplus, a European Union funding programme, was unsuccessful.

17/02/2025

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐘 | 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 + 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐃𝐬

Northern Trust: Our Emergency Departments at Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital are extremely busy today, with long waits for those whose condition is not life-threatening.

Staff are working hard to triage patients and prioritise those needing urgent care.

Please use our Phone First clinical triage service if you are considering attending ED with an urgent injury or illness which is not immediately life-threatening.

Phone First is available Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm, by ringing 0300 123 1 123.

By using Phone First, your condition, or that of the person you are calling on behalf of, will be clinically assessed and you will be directed to the most appropriate care pathway for your needs.

It's important to remember that there are different healthcare services available to ensure you get the right care to treat your condition.

For more information go to https://orlo.uk/9HraQ
In an emergency, always call 999 🚨

Thank you for your continued support.

17/02/2025

𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋𝐒 | Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson, Colin Crawford MLA, strongly condemns the increasing number of assaults on teachers and teaching staff across Northern Ireland, as revealed in recent data.

Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson, Colin Crawford MLA, strongly condemns the increasing number of assaults on teachers and teaching staff across Northern Ireland, as revealed in recent data.

17/02/2025

Frog spawn at Breen Oak Wood, County Antrim! 🐸

📸 Anne Kelly

17/02/2025

𝐌𝐄𝐀 | The installation of the Changing Places facility follows a recent refurbishment of Marine Gardens Park’s play area, which now includes a wider variety of equipment designed for children of all abilities.

A new Changing Places facility at Marine Gardens Park in Carrickfergus has now officially opened.

17/02/2025

The ‘Move to UC’ involves moving those who are still in receipt of legacy benefits and Tax Credits to Universal Credit.

17/02/2025

Northern Ireland could be having its very own Hogmanay as City Hall officials are to look at providing New Year’s Eve celebrations in Belfast city.

17/02/2025

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐳 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 🤍

Ballymena woman Lyndsay Turtle is hosting a special charity table quiz to honour the memory of her beloved daughter, Kira Louise, who tragically passed away in June 2022 at the age of 18.

Kira lived with type 1 diabetes for 13 years, having been diagnosed at just 5 years old. Her death was due to complications related to blood sugar levels, and her family is still awaiting answers about the exact cause.

Kira was a stunning and vibrant young woman who touched the lives of many during her short time with us. In her memory, Lyndsay and her family are raising funds for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, a charity dedicated to supporting those affected by diabetes and funding vital research.

This event is a heartfelt effort to ensure Kira’s legacy lives on while helping others who face similar challenges.

- 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Wednesday, 26 February
- 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 8:00pm
- 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: The Thatch Inn, Main Street, Broughshane
- 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞: £5 per person (maximum of 6 people per team)

A raffle with great prizes will also take place on the night!

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Diabetes UK Northern Ireland to support their invaluable work. Join us for a night of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit as we come together to celebrate Kira’s life and make a difference in her name.

Bring your friends, test your knowledge, and help Lyndsay raise funds for this worthy cause.

Let’s make this a night to remember in honour of beautiful Kira Louise.

For more information, please contact Lyndsay by emailing: [email protected]

17/02/2025

• Rates rising faster in Ballymena than Belfast ✔︎
• Cllrs set to discuss allowance increase tonight (back-paid to April 2024) ✔︎
• Cllr allowances outlined ✔︎
• Cllr speaks out calling for transparency and selfless decisions ✔︎
• DfC considering rise worth thousands of pounds ✔︎

Over the last two years ratepayers in the borough of Mid and East Antrim have faced a hike of almost 14% (domestic), while local businesses have been dealt a blow of almost 16% (non-domestic).