Borough Life - January 2020

RESIDENTS’ MAGAZINE June 2019 RESIDENTS’ MAGAZINE // January -2020

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Check out our leisure memberships

THE GATEWAY OPENS New visitor centre for our Borough

ANBorough

GET MORE CONNECTED WITH THE ANBOROUGH APP Get connected with the new Council App, ANBorough!

The app will help you access many of our services 24/7 on the go

Join our MORE membership* Book MORE fitness classes View MORE fitness class* timetables Store your MORE membership card MORE Council information at your fingertips And MORE to come

The app can be downloaded on the app store by searching for ANBorough or by scanning the QR code to the right. Anyone who downloads the app will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win £200!

T&Cs apply

*Coming January 2020

MORE

connected…

DOWNLOAD FOR A CHANCE TO WIN £200!

Your Council: How to Contact Us antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk T. 028 9446 3113 T. 028 9034 0000 Textphone 18001 028 9034 0000

Get more connected with our new ANBorough app available for download on the app store

Look up your street name to check your bin collection dates using our bin checker

The Planning section of the Council can be contacted on T. 0300 123 6677

Follow us on social media: Social media is a great way to keep up to date with Council news and events and you can also report anything that you need our help with.

Follow us on Twitter @ANBorough Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ANBorough For jobs in the Borough visit www.facebook.com/ANBoroughJobs

Find out about the Council facilities near you Join our leisure membership. Book your class or course online.

Check how to contact your local Councillor online Pay your dog licence, request a bulky waste collection or submit your building control applications Report a complaint online at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/report

Follow our Instagram Page at www.instagram.com/ANBorough

Have your say...

Please contact us if you require this magazine in an alternative format.

We are currently working on the development of our new Corporate Improvement Plan for 2020-21.

The magazine is delivered to postal areas BT29, BT36, BT37, BT39, BT41 and our residents in BT38. If it is not delivered to any of your neighbours living in these areas, please let us know.

The Council is required by legislation to make arrangements to ensure continuous improvement in the way it operates. We would therefore like to welcome the views of residents, visitors and businesses as part of our consultation for the 202021 plan as we are aware that whilst continuing to deliver quality services, there are always areas we can target for improvement.

The Council recently published the Corporate Improvement Plan Annual Report on Performance Self-Assessment as well as an Annual Report, both for 2018-19.

If you would like copies of the reports, have your say on the consultation for 202021 or discuss any aspect of performance improvement T. 028 9034 0088 or E. james. porter@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

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If you have any comments on the magazine please contact us.

Communications and Customer Services Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council 50 Stiles Way, Antrim, BT41 2UB T. 028 9446 3113 E. comms@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk Printed on FSC accredited material Š Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

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Blooming Beautiful Towns

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£450,000 Rathcoole Play Park Opens

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New Year New You

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Start your business in 2020

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Honouring our Veterans

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Winter Reflections

Mayor’s Message Welcome to the January edition of our residents’ magazine, Borough Life. I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and are looking forward to the year ahead.

Following the festive season, I am sure many of you are thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. If you are wanting to be MORE active in 2020, then our leisure memberships offer something for everyone for just £25 per month or £39 for all the family – see page 12 for more information.

Our award winning Borough has been recognised for its beautiful towns once again, with more success at the Britain in Bloom Awards and Pride of Place Awards – I would like to congratulate all involved in making our Borough a beautiful place to live and work. I am sure we will continue these success stories in 2020!

This year, Theatre at The Mill celebrates its tenth anniversary and we have lots in store for you to mark this major milestone. The theatres in the Borough offer a great selection of shows for all tastes and ages. See page 18 for details.

On behalf of the Council, I would like to wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2020.

Alderman John Smyth Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey

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Leisure & Lifestyle

The Gateway Visitor Centre Opens Following £2.3m investment in the Antrim Loughshore area, we are delighted to announce The Gateway is now officially open for business!

Make sure you drop by on your next visit to Antrim and enjoy the panoramic views of Lough Neagh whilst sampling freshly cooked dishes at The Boathouse Restaurant which is part of the Gateway development. Their menu features a range of seafood dishes, proper fish and chip classics, authentic wood fired pizza and more!

The Boathouse will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with barista style coffee and fresh bakes on offer too.

The project, part funded by DAERA and Lough Neagh Landscape Partnership is also home to Lough Neagh Rescue. A conference space will also be available for hire initially which will be transformed into an exhibition area later in the year. If you would be interested in booking the conferencing space E. conferencing@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or T. 028 9448 1493 By summer 2020, there will also be a magnificent sculpture erected at the Park called ‘The Protector of The Lough’. Its form and silhouette will be cut clear against the horizon, and Finn will be instantly recognisable from far across the water celebrating the Lough, the land, and our heritage.

Within a few minutes’ walk is Antrim Castle Gardens, a historical gem with features such as the Large Parterre, Her Ladyship’s Pleasure Garden and Yew Tree Pond.

Within the heart of the Gardens is a unique visitor experience, the refurbished Clotworthy House. Visit the Garden Heritage Exhibition where you can read about the history of the Gardens and the story of the Massereene family. There’s also something for the four legged residents of the Borough, with the new dog park at Deer Park Bridge!

These projects are being implemented as part of the Council’s remit to support tourism growth. Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth commented ‘Lough Neagh is recognised as one of our Borough’s under-utilised assets and the purpose of this development is to attract more visitors and residents to the Lough’.

For more information visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/ thegateway

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Having a Barking Great Time We are delighted to announce the two new dog parks in our Borough are officially open!

make sure you add these dog parks to your list of walking routes

Located at Deer Park Bridge, Loughshore in Antrim and Valley Park in Newtownabbey, these new facilities feature agility equipment and provide an enclosed space for small and large dogs. So, if you have a four legged friend and would like them to be able to run freely in a safe environment, then

We would like to gently remind all dog owners to clean up after their pets during their visit.

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For more information on the dog parks E. parks@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Leisure & Lifestyle

Blooming Beautiful Towns Council brought the curtain down on 2019 with yet further recognition of its continued commitment to making the local area beautiful for everyone.

Helen Boyd from Tidy Randalstown and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth receive the Gold Award in the Small Town Category from Baroness Floella Benjamin

Having already notched up an enviable 15 Green Flag Awards earlier this year, the success story continued and this time Antrim and Randalstown made the headlines with their commitment to all things horticultural being acknowledged at the renowned Britain in Bloom competition.

Held in the imposing surrounds of Lindley Hall in London, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth was joined by representatives from Tidy Randalstown and Parks Supervisor, George Williamson as Antrim Town picked up a Silver Gilt in the Town Category and Randalstown secured a Gold Award in the Small Town Category.

George Williamson, Parks Supervisor and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth, pictured with Baroness Floella Benjamin as they collect the Silver Gilt Award in the Town Category

With spring just around the corner, Council is already busy preparing for 2020 and is currently working on a number of new floral displays and attractions that will be situated across the Borough so be sure to keep your eyes peeled when you are out and about.

All photographs used by kind permission of RHS/Richard Dawson ABIPP

Award Winning Borough We are delighted to announce our recent success at the IPB Pride of Place Awards where the Council was named ‘Best Local Authority.’ The All-Ireland competition judges praised the Council for its continued efforts to build “resilient and socially responsible communities that reflect the true purpose of the Pride of Place competition.”

in local community development. It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

For more information visit www.prideofplace.ie

A special mention was also given to our ‘Love Living Here’ Community Plan which they deemed “created strong communities who contribute greatly to the quality of life of its residents.”

Other local winners at the event included Whiteabbey and Randalstown who picked up first place in the 1000-2000 population category and runner-up in the 1000-2000 population category respectively.

Sponsored by IPB, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 18 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved

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£450k Transformation for Rathcoole Play Park Playtime is now more exciting than ever in Rathcoole, following the unveiling of a new and improved play area.

Mayor, Alderman John Smyth was recently joined by local primary school children to officially open the new play park which has received £450,000 investment

by Council. The popular park has undergone a complete transformation and extension featuring a range of play equipment for everyone to enjoy including a wheelchair swing.

This comes just weeks after the official opening of the new play area at Lilian Bland, Glengormley. Following £450,000 investment, this aeronautical themed play park features an airplane complete with swings and a climbing frame as well as a new basketball area.

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Leisure & Lifestyle

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New Year, New You with our Fast Track to Fitness Get MORE active for just £25 per month Kick-start your New Year’s resolution of having a MORE healthy, MORE active lifestyle with our MORE membership! For just £25 per month for a single membership or £39* per month for a family membership, we have five superb leisure centres each offering a wide range of activities and facilities to help you get MORE active, MORE often.

Our memberships include*:

• unlimited use of the fitness suites (age 14+)*

• unlimited use of the spas (age 16+) and swimming pools

• racquet sports • soft play (for children in a family membership)

• • • •

dance studio (individual use) running track (individual use) adult classes children’s classes (for children in a family membership)

*Ts and Cs apply. Please note facilities vary by leisure centre.

For more information on our memberships or to join online, visit antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/MORE

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Accessing the leisure centres is also quicker and easier than ever with our new fast track to fitness! Antrim Forum, Sixmile and Valley Leisure Centres now boast self-service kiosks, allowing you to pay for activities such as swimming, soft play and much more at the click of a button. You can also join our leisure centre MORE membership using the iPads available at reception. This doesn’t require an appointment so you can do it at a time that suits you without having to queue.

Our leisure members will also benefit from the fast track fitness.

As well as the installation of the new kiosks, we now have fast track entry points where Members can swipe their membership cards to gain access to our facilities without having to queue.

The reception areas at each of these centres have also undergone a modern transformation giving the centres a new look and feel, we hope you like them!

For more details on our leisure centres visit antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/leisure

Leisure & Lifestyle Leisure at your Fingertips! n book Don’t forget you ca etables tim r ou our classes, view card hip ers and store your memb us go ing while you are on the app! Just our new ANBorough d search visit the app store an the QR ANBorough or scan Code on page 2.

State-of-the-art fitness suite at Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballyclare

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Improving Accessibility for all We are continually working to make our Council facilities more accessible for both adults and children with additional needs.

In our previous issue of Borough Life, we told you about our new Poolpods at Antrim Forum and the Valley Leisure Centre and since then we have officially opened new Changing Places facilities at both of these centres as well. Following ÂŁ150,000 investment, these new facilities provide additional equipment such as adult-sized changing benches and hoists for those users with complex needs. This much needed addition will improve the service provision at the leisure centres, making our facilities even more accessible for all.

We are also delighted to receive funding from the Department for Communities Access and

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Inclusion Programme to purchase five mobility scooters. These mobility scooters which will soon be available from Castle Mall and will enable visitors to access Antrim Castle Gardens and Antrim Town Centre, making the town more accessible for all. To book a scooter at no cost or for more information E. info@ castlemallantrim.com.

In addition, the funding will also be supporting an inclusive trail in V36 at the Valley and a new sound system at Theatre at The Mill which will enhance the theatre experience for those with hearing and sensory needs.

For more information on accessibility in our facilities visit antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/accessibility

Leisure & Lifestyle

Best Foot Forward If you would like to get more active in 2020, then why not start walking? Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier.

We have lots of beautiful parks and open spaces across the Borough that you can enjoy whether it is on your own, with your dog or with friends or family.

‘Walk NI’ provide a definitive guide to walking in Northern Ireland, including information on

walks for both the serious rambler and those who enjoy a short stroll.

For details visit www.walkni.com The Borough also has a variety of walking groups which you can get involved in, offering a social side to exercising which can be great for motivation.

For a list of all of the walking groups in the Borough visit antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/walking

There’s ‘allot’ happening in our Borough We are excited to announce that plans are well under way to provide two new allotment facilities offering over 70 new plots in the upcoming months.

The schemes will create 35 new plots at Crumlin and 36 at Rathcoole and work is under way at both sites. The Crumlin allotments will be located at the back of the leisure centre, accessed via Orchard Road whilst the Rathcoole allotments will be at Derrycoole Way near Rathcoole Primary School.

If you would be interested in one of these allotments or for more information E. elaine.upton@ antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk

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Leisure & Lifestyle

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A Decade of Theatre at The Mill In 2010, the contemporary 400 seat Theatre at The Mill opened its doors with a gala evening featuring the Ulster Orchestra, followed by the Theatre’s own production of Sweeney Todd starring Peter Corry and Nuala McKeever.

Ten years on and 2020 marks the tenth anniversary for this flagship theatre and we are celebrating in style. Our theatre programme is jam-packed with shows for everyone. Banish those January Blues with a night of comedy as the BBC’s Blame Game stars, Jake O’Kane, Neil Delamere and Colin Murphy all make a welcome return. Our sparkling new Musical STRIVE, penned by Pamela Cassells-Totton, Mark Dougherty

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and Brigid Shine hits the stage from Tues 18 – Sun 23 February. If music is your thing you are in for a treat, Barry Steele is back with his spectacular show The Roy Orbison Story whilst Niamh Kavanagh and the Illegals will bring you all the greatest hits from Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. The Newtownabbey Drama Festival in March presents five nights of exhilarating drama from amateur dramatic groups from Northern Ireland and beyond. Mind Reader David Meade will have you on the edge of your seats and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Ballroom Boys Vincent Simone and Ian Waite promise you a night of dance comedy and song.

Over the past 10 years, the

Theatre has delivered an extensive youth programme under its Homespun brand, offering young people the opportunity to work with a number of distinguished directors, music directors and choreographers. Each year the Theatre commissions and produces new work which has included Oliver, The Producers and Les Miserables to name a few.

Theatre at The Mill continues to go from strength to strength bringing a vibrant arts programme to our Borough. Get your year off to a great start and experience the magic of theatre. For our full programme of shows visit theatreatthemill.com

Leisure & Lifestyle

“Fantastic advice and support whenever I needed it” Helen Reidy, Ivy Lane Floral Design

Start Your Business this New Year Ready for a new start? Do you have a business idea and want to turn it into reality? Then let us help you to Go for It in 2020.

The Go for It programme is a free programme for budding entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland which provides you with professional business mentoring and support tailored to your business idea. This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme and delivered by experienced business advisors in local enterprise agencies.

The Go for It programme will help you create a business plan, and in Antrim and Newtownabbey,

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follow up coaching support and a small bursary can help move this plan into action. Coaching is provided by experienced business mentors who can support you in the set up phase of your business.

From registering as self-employed to setting up systems and processes, a mentor will be available to help you take the first steps. A small bursary of up to £200 will be available to help with the business set up costs to get you going.

To register for the Go for It Programme visit www.goforitni.com or T. 0800 027 0639. If you have recently completed the Programme and want more information on the coaching and bursary, E. business@ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Business & Jobs

Antrim Improvements

New Business of the Borough: Hobbycraft

The Antrim Town public realm scheme is nearing completion and the upcoming new shop-front improvement initiative on Fountain Street will enhance the visual appearance of the town even further.

The UK’s largest arts and crafts retailer, Hobbycraft has demonstrated confidence in the Borough’s retail sector with a significant investment in their first store to be located in Northern Ireland. The new 1256sq metres store recently opened in Longwood Retail Park, Newtownabbey creating 18 new jobs in the area.

The Council, alongside the Department for Communities has invested £800,000 in the public realm scheme. The scheme is designed to visually improve public spaces, increase leisure use, make the town more accessible, better meet the needs of residents and increase footfall within the town centre to the benefit of traders and retailers. It is intended that the new scheme which included granite paving and improved lighting will act as a stimulus in the town for future growth and build civic pride.

Founded in 1995, Hobbycraft sells more than 35,000 arts and crafts products for hundreds of creative activities, from art, baking, home craft, jewellery making, knitting, sewing, kids’ crafts and model making, to accessories for weddings, celebrations and much more.

Store manager, Ellis commented: “We’re really looking forward to sharing our passion for arts and crafts with the local community. We’ve been working really hard to ensure that the store will be packed full of the most exciting crafting products, which will help our customers create handmade masterpieces. Our new colleagues are all dedicated crafters and are ready to inspire and share their knowledge with locals of all crafting abilities.”

Beds Boost at the Ramble Inn Planning permission has recently been granted for a new 14 bedroom accommodation block at McLarnon’s The Ramble Inn located less than half a mile from the M2 on Lisnevenagh Road, Antrim. Already a family friendly destination, the bar and restaurant is about to become even more popular with day trippers, shoppers, tourists and business visitors.

Did you know, 53% of Northern Ireland’s total population and just under 60% of the region’s households are located within a 10 mile radius of the centre of Antrim and Newtownabbey?

This is why businesses like Hobbycraft choose our Borough to invest.

The Ramble Inn is boasting positive online reviews and helping us to service an estimated 160,000 trips into the Borough per year with an associated annual local spend by visitors of £27.7m. Interestingly 66% of our visitors are from outside of Northern Ireland and 55% are staying to visit friends or family, on holiday or for business purposes.

For more information visit www.hobbycraft.co.uk

For more information visit www.mclarnonsrambleinn.com

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Business & Jobs

Lotus Group Invest £30 Million in Redevelopment Plan for The Junction An extensive £30 million redevelopment plan for The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, Antrim has reached its second major milestone, putting the project on target for completion in 2021.

Phase two of The Junction masterplan was unveiled, revealing significant new road infrastructure, with a tree-lined entrance to improve access in and out of the scheme, and the creation of a public square with

all-weather urban furniture to improve customer navigation through the site’s shopping quarter and encourage longer dwell time.

The Junction currently houses more than 30 stores, a range of food and beverage venues and a 10-screen Omniplex cinema. Since 2018, several new retailers have already been attracted to the scheme including Beauty Outlet, Intersport and The Entertainer.

The food and beverage offering

has also been greatly enhanced since Lotus Property took over the scheme, with the opening of a Starbucks Drive-Thru, followed by the arrival of two global restaurant chains Nando’s and TGI Fridays which are expected to open soon.

For further information, visit www.thejunctionshopping. com or follow The Junction on social media @thejunctionantrim

Do business with us!

The Council procures a variety of goods and services and uses an electronic procurement portal to promote these opportunities:

eSourcingNI – e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk If you own a business make sure you take the time to sign up to this portal to ensure you do not miss any tender opportunities.

For more information T. 028 9034 0090 or E. procurement@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

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Advertisement

Recycle MORE in 2020 You have consistently made us one of the top councils in Northern Ireland for our recycling rates.

In 2015/16 we were ranked third of all councils with a recycling rate of 46.7%. Thanks to the commitment of our residents, by the end of 2018/19 we had topped the table, recycling over 45,000 tonnes to record an impressive recycling rate of 56.1%.

Your recycling efforts were also recognised recently when Newpark Recycling Centre in Antrim was crowned Household Recycling Centre of the Year at the UK’s annual Plant and Civil Engineer, Construction, Quarry and Recycling Awards. This prestigious award was presented to Newpark for service excellence, an increase in the type of items which can be recycled and the recent impressive recycling rate at the site of over 87%.

Whilst recycling rates are excellent and we continue to lead the way in recycling, there is still more that can be done. Not only does recycling the right materials help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, it also helps support businesses which reprocess the recyclables into new materials.

So this New Year, why not join our #iRecycleRight campaign and make the extra effort to recycle more of the right materials.

Here’s a few tips to help you along the way: • Keep a recycling bag/bin in the bathroom to recycle those shampoo bottles, aerosols, cleaning bottles, toilet roll tubes and shower gel bottles • Recycle your old appliances or tech products at any of our Household Recycling Centres • If your items can’t be fixed, why not take them along to the next Repair Café. Follow them on facebook @RepairCafeAN • Keep your kitchen caddy handy to recycle all food waste including fruit and vegetable peelings, food scrapings, egg shells and tea bags.

Some people put recyclables into the black bin as they aren’t sure whether it can be recycled or not.

Check out our website at antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/recycling to find out what can go into each bin.

For more information on recycling T. 028 9034 0254 or E. waste@ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

#iRecycleRight

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Waste & Recycling

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 24 FEBRUARY - 8 MARCH 2020 MAKE IT A FAIRER FORTNIGHT This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 24 February – 8 March and will give you and your family the opportunity to support Fairtrade.

Fairtrade is about giving the people who produce the things you buy a fair price for their work and Fairtrade Fortnight seeks to bring more awareness to shoppers about where the produce they buy comes from.

This is the perfect time to introduce or promote Fairtrade products in your business, shop, group, school or church. Your efforts will help highlight the impact that Fairtrade makes to small farmers, producers and their local communities.

e airtrad e for F v lo r r e u o ow s Show y rade fl t ir a F ing es this by giv ocolat h c d n a ay! ine’s D Valent

For more information visit www.fairtrade.org.uk

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Honouring our Veterans To launch the Council’s VE Day 75 commemorations, a special Veterans’ Recognition reception was held at Museum at The Mill on Thursday 7 November.

Hosted by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Antrim, Mr David McCorkell and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth, seven World War Two Veterans from the Borough were each presented with a specially commissioned Poppy of Remembrance as a token of the Council’s thanks for their contribution in achieving Victory in Europe and restoring peace across many countries. These poppies were designed and produced by local artist, Diane Lyness.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth paid tribute in his speech commenting; “It is my honour to present this special Poppy to each one of you but as I do so, I am also remembering all of those from our Borough and beyond who were lost in the War, and who are not here with us today. I know each one of you will have memories of fallen comrades and friends and I can assure you - We Will Remember Them both today and in the future.”

A further three Veterans who were unable to attend have also received their Poppy of Remembrance during personal visits from the Mayor.

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Community Life

Out and about with the Mayor

Mayor hosts Community and Voluntary Christmas Celebration

V36 - winner of the Belfast Favourite Park (North Belfast)

Official opening of Monkstown Community Well-being Garden

South East Antrim District Scout presentation

With volunteers from Repair Cafe Antrim & Newtownabbey at the Waste Reduction Event

Linen & Latte awarded a Taste of Ulster plaque

Supporting ‘Ask Your Pharmacist’ Week at McKays Pharmacy Templepatrick

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Are you Emergency Ready?

We are continuing to work with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and a range of other organisations to deliver our Community Resuscitation Action Plan. One of the aims of the Action Plan is to raise public awareness of the early recognition of an out of hospital cardiac arrest and early intervention.

The chance of survival for someone who suffers a cardiac arrest doubles when CPR and a defibrillator are administered.

If you or your business, church, community group or sports club has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) which is permanently fixed at your organisation’s facility, then it is important to check it at least once monthly to ensure it is emergency ready.

This should include a check that: -

• Pads and Battery are in date • The AED is always emergency ready (contains facemask or face shield, disposable glove, tuff cut scissors, disposable razor and paper towels)

It is also essential to ensure that the defibrillator is registered with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. This information will be used by the Ambulance Control Centre when they received a 999 call for a cardiac arrest, ensuring they can signpost the caller to the nearest defibrillator.

To register your defibrillator visit www.nias.hscni.net/ our-services/aed

A Helping Hand for those in Need Did you know that one in five children are living in poverty in our Borough?

This can be as a result of low wage employment, redundancy or an unexpected bill. To help those in need, we are calling on you, to help the less fortunate families and individuals in our Borough, by supporting the local foodbanks. Before Christmas, Mayor, Alderman John Smyth visited the Foodbank in Antrim to show his support at their busiest time of the year.

If you would like to get involved, just bring along non-perishable foods to your local foodbank.

For details on what you can donate and where your nearest foodbank is located visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov. uk/foodbanks

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Community Life

Age Friendly

• Sign language provision for many of our large events and theatre performances throughout the year.

We are continuing to work towards becoming an accredited Age Friendly Community, focusing on eight areas set out by the World Health Organisation.

In our last issue of Borough Life, we focused on Housing and in this issue we will be focusing on Communication and Information.

For more information T. 028 9034 0160 or E. envhealth@ antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Staying connected with people and getting timely, practical information is vital if we want to foster healthy and active ageing within the Borough.

We communicate with our residents in a variety of ways including our website, social media platforms, citizens’ app and this residents’ magazine. In order to ensure the information is accessible to everyone, we have a number of provisions in place such as: • BrowseAloud – assistive software on our website that adds speech and reading tools to the content to assist those who require reading support • Accessibility options on our website that adjusts the size and contrast of text for those who may suffer with vision loss • Our residents’ magazine, Borough Life is provided in a range of formats including braille, audio, DAISY (digital audio) and large print version

Embracing the digital era There is no doubt that digital technology is a useful tool for communicating but it can also be an instrument of social exclusion, particularly for those who don’t use modern communication methods on a regular basis like some of our older residents.

Our Age Friendly work is done in collaboration with a range of other organisations, many of which can provide services to our residents such as the ‘Got IT’ and ‘Go On’ courses provided by Libraries NI. These courses introduce the basics of computers and includes sessions on how to use the internet, setting up and using emails, shopping online, using an iPad and an introduction to social media.

The courses are FREE but you must be a library member to participate. Library membership is free for everyone.

For more information visit www. librariesni.org.uk or contact your local library.

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Winter Reflections From the Borough’s events

Officially lighting up the town for Christmas

Enchanted Winter Garden 2019

Local residents enjoy the Christmas festivities

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Enchanted Winter Garden 2019

Community Life

Peter Corry Productions at the Christmas Light Switch On events

Tai Dempsey enjoying the Christmas Switch on event

Trialstar Motorbikes provided an exhilirating performance at the Christmas Switch On events

A spectacular fireworks display lit up the sky at each of the Christmas Light Switch On events

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Your Councillors KEY ABBREVIATIONS DUP Democratic Unionist Party IND Independent SDLP Social Democratic and Labour Party UUP Ulster Unionist Party

Dunsilly

Ballyclare

Antrim Threemilewater Airport

Macedon Glengormley Urban

Airport District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS ALDERGROVE, CLADY, CRUMLIN, MALLUSK AND TEMPLEPATRICK. DEPUTY MAYOR

THOMAS BURNS SDLP T. 07803 535094 E. thomas.burns@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

ANNE MARIE LOGUE SINN FÉIN T. 07533 353610 E. annemarie.logue@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

MATTHEW MAGILL DUP T. 07825 374019 E. matthew.magill@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

VICTORIA MCAULEY ALLIANCE T. 07775 756466 E. victoria.mcauley@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

PAUL MICHAEL UUP T. 07587 657120 E. paul.michael@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Antrim District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS ANTRIM CENTRE, FOUNTAIN HILL, GREYSTONE, SPRINGFARM, STEEPLE AND STILES. MAYOR

PAUL DUNLOP DUP T. 07771 554652 E. paul.dunlop@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

NEIL KELLY ALLIANCE T. 07545 992615 E. neil.kelly@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

ROISIN LYNCH SDLP T. 07827 276840 E. roisin.lynch@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

JIM MONTGOMERY UUP T. 07471 147666 E. jim.montgomery@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

JOHN SMYTH DUP T. 07436 582180 E. john.smyth@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

LEAH SMYTH UUP T. 07984 030867 E. leah.smyth@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Ballyclare District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS BALLYCLARE EAST, BALLYCLARE WEST, BALLYNURE, BALLYROBERT AND DOAGH.

JEANNIE ARCHIBALD DUP T. 07715 392229 E. jeannie.archibald@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

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MANDY GIRVAN DUP T. 07912 028945 E. mandy.girvan@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

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DANNY KINAHAN UUP T. 07802 644228 E. danny.kinahan@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

VERA MCWILLIAM UUP T. 07792 477050 E. vera.mcwilliam@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

MICHAEL STEWART IND T. 07810 868522 E. michael.stewart@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Dunsilly District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS CRANFIELD, PARKGATE, RANDALSTOWN, SHILVODAN AND TOOME.

LINDA CLARKE DUP T. 07803 132601 E. linda.clarke@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

HENRY CUSHINAN SINN FÉIN T. 07871 229810 E. henry.cushinan@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

GLENN FINLAY ALLIANCE T. 07904 412040 E. glenn.finlay@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

RODERICK SWANN UUP T. 07423 457376 E. roderick.swann@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

RYAN WILSON SDLP T. 07733 453883 E. ryan.wilson@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Glengormley Urban Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS BALLYHENRY, BURNTHILL, CARNMONEY, COLLINBRIDGE, GLEBE, GLENGORMLEY AND HIGHTOWN.

ALISON BENNINGTON DUP T. 07741 241011 E. alison.bennington@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

PHILLIP BRETT DUP T. 07971 538685 E. phillip.brett@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

MARK COSGROVE UUP T. 07584 857897 E. mark.cosgrove@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

MICHAEL GOODMAN SINN FÉIN T. 07827 818500 E. michael.goodman @antrimandnew townabbey.gov.uk

ROSIE KINNEAR SINN FÉIN T. 07771 544248 E. rosie.kinnear @antrimandnew townabbey.gov.uk

NOREEN MCCLELLAND SDLP T. 07789 208157 E noreen.mcclelland @antrimandnew townabbey.gov.uk

JULIAN MCGRATH ALLIANCE T. 07920 029033 E. julian.mcgrath@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Macedon District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS ABBEY, CARNMONEY HILL, O’NEILL, RATHCOOLE, VALLEY AND WHITEHOUSE.

ROBERT FOSTER UUP T. 07846 084545 E. robert.foster@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

PAUL HAMILL DUP T. 07803 186008 E. paul.hamill@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

DEAN MCCULLOUGH DUP T. 07904 985272 E. dean.mccullough@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

TAYLOR MCGRANN SINN FÉIN T. 07436 548081 E taylor.mcgrann@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

BILLY WEBB mbe jp ALLIANCE T. 07799 866876 E billy.webb@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

VICTOR ROBINSON DUP T. 07557 752451 E victor.robinson@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

Threemilewater District Electoral Area (DEA) COVERS BALLYDUFF, FAIRVIEW, JORDANSTOWN, MONKSTOWN, MOSSLEY AND ROSTULLA.

FRASER AGNEW mbe UUP T. 07711 135267 E. fraser.agnew@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

TOM CAMPBELL ALLIANCE T. 07595 978690 E. tom.campbell@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

MARK COOPER DUP T. 07771 332108 E mark.cooper@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

JULIE GILMOUR ALLIANCE T. 07796 950825 E julie.gilmour@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

SAM FLANAGAN DUP T. 07984 037509 E. sam.flanagan@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

STEPHEN ROSS DUP T. 07713 946038 E stephen.ross@ antrimandnewtown abbey.gov.uk

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Contacts CONTACT THE COUNCIL

USEFUL NUMBERS

and Holiday Arrangements

TUE

CIVIC CENTRES

17 MAR

Antrim

028 9446 3113

7

Newtownabbey

028 9034 0000

7

LEISURE CENTRES Allen Park

028 9448 1300

3

Antrim Forum

028 9446 4131

3

Ballyearl

028 9084 8287

3

Crumlin

028 9448 1973

3

Sixmile

028 9334 1818

3

Valley

028 9086 1211

3

THEATRES Courtyard Theatre

028 9034 0202

7

Old Courthouse Theatre

028 9442 8331

7

Theatre at The Mill

028 9034 0202

7

FACILITIES

Animal Welfare

028 2563 3134

Bryson Energy

0800 142 2865

Bus and Rail queries (Translink)

028 9066 6630

Citizens Advice (Antrim & Newtownabbey)

028 9590 6505

Education Authority

028 2565 3333

Electricity Faults & Emergencies (24 hours)

03457 643 643

Fallen trees (Department for Infrastructure)

0300 200 7893

Gas Emergency Response (24 hours)

0800 002 001

Hospitals Antrim Area Hospital Whiteabbey Hospital

028 9442 4000 028 9086 5181

Housing Executive Main Number (including grass cutting & graffiti) Repairs Line Housing Benefit

0300 200 7803

Mapping (Land & Property Services)

0300 200 7804

Northern Health & Social Care Trust

028 9442 4000

028 9448 1338

3

Pest Control (Consult your phone directory)

Ballyclare Town Hall

028 9034 0139

7

Rates (Property Rating & Valuation)

Flax Gallery & Museum at The Mill

028 9034 0129

7

Pogues Entry

028 9448 1338

7

Sentry Hill

028 9083 2363

7

Whitehouse

028 9034 0129

7

Opening times for recycling centres are available at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/recycling

03448 920 901 03448 920 902

Land Registry

Antrim Castle Gardens & Clotworthy House

RECYCLING CENTRES

03448 920 900

TransportNI (previously Roads Service) Bus shelter vandalism/graffiti Cut roadside trees and grass verges Fallen trees Flooding roadway, footpath and blocked road gullies (24 hours) Road repairs (including potholes) Street lighting Traffic Hotline Winter salting (24 hours)

0300 200 7801 028 9046 3250 028 9054 0540 0300 200 7891 028 9025 3000 0300 200 7893 0300 200 7899 0845 712 3321 0300 200 7893

Craigmore (Randalstown)

028 9447 3813

3

Crumlin

028 9442 3640

3

Social Security Agency Antrim and Newtownabbey Offices: Benefits Freephone Employment Service

Newpark (Antrim)

028 9442 8107

3

Telephone/Utility Boxes (BT fault)

0800 023 2023

Bruslee

028 9034 0056

3

Voting (Electoral Office)

0800 432 0712

O’Neill Road

028 9034 0056

3

Water (NI Water)

03457 440088

Flooding Incident Line (24 hours) Report your property is flooded or flooding

0300 200 0100

PARK WARDENS

Flooding - Council owned property

028 9446 3113

To report an incident in a park 028 9034 0275

Burst watermains and blocked sewers (Northern Ireland Water) (24 hours)

0345 744 0088

Overflowing rivers and watercourses (Rivers Agency)

028 9260 6100

Water pollution in watercourse (Northern Ireland Environment Agency)

0800 807 060

Consumerline (9.00 am to 4.00 pm)

0300 123 6262

Action Fraud

0300 123 2040

7 CLOSED

3 OPEN

COMMUNITY CENTRES Contact details for community Centres are available at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/communitycentres

BIN COLLECTIONS Check your bin collection day and public holiday collections at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/binchecker Please remember to leave your bin out for 7am on collection day at normal collection points.

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0800 022 4250 0300 200 7822

PLEASE NOTE - The Council is NOT responsible for these services.

We've listed some useful contacts to help you.

Consumer Advice

REMEMBER: �nancial institutions, utility companies, law enforcement, HMRC, internet & telecoms providers or other public bodies:

Be Wise this Winter

• Will NEVER ask for payment in vouchers.

• Will NEVER ask you to transfer money because your account is compromised.

• Will NEVER threaten you over the phone, by letter or email for not paying a fee.

January and February are always a cold time of year so it is important to make sure you prepare as much as possible to protect your home and your health.

• Will NEVER threaten arrest if payment isn’t made immediately.

• Will NEVER ask for money for a ‘free gift’, ‘admin fee’ or as part of a promotion.

• Will NEVER ask to reveal your account security codes or online passwords in full.

Our winterwise publication includes lots of tips and advice for the winter months including staying warm, frozen pipes, keeping your pets safe, flooding, road safety and useful contacts.

• Will NEVER call out of the blue and ask for remote access to your computer or devices or to download software.

• Will NEVER inform you about tax returns by email, text or voicemail.

The booklet can be viewed online at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov. uk/winterwise or T. 028 9034 0000 to request a hard copy.

ScamwiseNI nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni

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1 - 3 MAY 2020 www.gardenshowireland.com Antrim Live will return as part of the Garden Show Ireland weekend. Expect excitement for all the family, including food, live music, games and entertainers!