Connections - Winter 2019

Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine

Keep Safe, Warm & Well this winter | 07

08 Win an electric blanket!

11 What’s On guide

15 Village renewal update

Winter 2019

Useful Numbers

Get in touch

To contact Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, telephone

We are always looking at ways to make it easier for you to engage with us at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Tourism

Leisure Centres

Arthur Cottage 028 2563 5010

Amphitheatre Carrickfergus 028 9335 8342

We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions.

You can contact us directly by telephone on 0300 124 5000

0300 124 5000

Carrickfergus Marina 028 9336 6666 Glenarm Marina 028 2884 1285

Larne Leisure Centre 028 2826 2497 Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena 028 2563 3382

Newferry Tourism Facility 028 2563 5010

Ballymena Showgrounds 028 2563 3290

Portglenone Marina 028 2563 5010

Planning

The Gobbins Visitor Information Point 028 9337 2318

Area Planning Office 0300 124 5000

For all areas: Call 0300 124 5000 and choose option 0

The Book Nook Visitor Information Point 028 2826 0395 Cemetery Enquiries

Environmental Health Animal Welfare 028 2563 3134 (or on weekends and holidays, call 07824 994490)

028 9335 8220 Grants Parks & Open Spaces

Bentra Golf Course 028 9337 8996

Community and volunteer grants – Ballymena 028 2563 3148 Community and volunteer grants – Carrickfergus and Larne 028 9335 8240

Connections is approved by the Plain English campaign.

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Keep up-to-date You can keep up-to-date with us on social media.

We use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share the latest news, events and information from Council.

MEA Borough Council twitter.com/mea_bc

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

If you have any comments on the magazine, please contact: Communications Mid and East Antrim Borough Council The Braid 1-29 Bridge Street Ballymena BT43 5EJ If you would like this publication in an alternative format, such as large print, please contact us on communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000.

This magazine is delivered to houses and businesses in the Borough. This includes BT43 7, BT43 6, BT38 7, BT38 9, BT38 8, BT43 5, BT42 4, BT42 3, BT42 2, BT42 1, BT40 3, BT40 2, BT40 1 as well as a large number of split postcode areas. If you live in the Borough and have not received a copy of this magazine in your post, please contact the Communications department.

Our front cover is part of the #findyourchristmas campaign to promote our town centres. Support local retailers by shopping local this Christmas!

CUT OUT AND KEEP

Waste, Street Cleansing and Recycling

Carrickfergus Castle Visitor Information Centre 028 9335 8222

The People’s Park 028 2563 3342

Ballymena (Headquarters) The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ Ballymena Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB Carrickfergus Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DG Larne Smiley Buildings, Victoria Road, Larne BT40 1RU

instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil

Ballymena Visitor Information Centre 028 2563 5010

Carnfunnock Country Park 028 2826 2471

You can visit or write to us at any of the offices below:

Welcome to our winter edition of Connections, the magazine of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. We want to keep you informed of all the ongoing work and events taking place in the borough, so read on if you want to:

03

Support the Mayor’s Charity

06

Grow your business

07

Keep safe, warm & well

10

Recycle more

14

Go outdoors

15

Discover village vitality

17

Share in our successes

20

Explore cultures

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Have your say

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is a multi award-winning local authority which leads the way in the transformation of ever-more efficient and improved public services for its 139,000

citizens.

The traditional engine room of the Northern Ireland manufacturing sector, the borough has a proud industrial heritage, diverse and dynamic business community, and rapidly expanding

tourism and hospitality sector.

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Council News

Mayor supports Community Rescue Service The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Maureen Morrow, has chosen to support the work of the Community Rescue Service (CRS) – Central District for her term.

The CRS is a search and rescue organisation operated by volunteers from communities across Northern Ireland. They are also the only accredited Lowland Rescue team in Northern Ireland who are capable of searching every environment from operations in and around water to on land.

The CRS team are fully committed to the cause providing a professional service to bringing loved ones home. Serious or life-threatening situations can happen to anyone at any time with volunteers responding to over 400 incidents region wide in 2018 alone. They deal with the most vulnerable people in society and as a charity, CRS relies on the public’s support to keep this service operational.

Cllr Morrow wants to support the work of this fantastic charity and asks that the people of Mid and East Antrim also show their support throughout 2019 and beyond.

Consultation open on Local Development Plan

Improving our work

As your council, we are committed to delivering sustainable development and improving the wellbeing of our communities across the Borough.

Every year, we publish our Performance Improvement Plan which sets out what we hope to achieve, how we plan to do it and how you will be better off as a result.

For the year 2018/19, we completed 81% of our outcomes, with the remaining 19% to be completed in 2019/20.

Also for this financial year, our objectives are to:

In September, we launched our draft Plan Strategy – an important step as we aim towards the delivery of our Local Development Plan 2030.

This will be a key placeshaping tool for all planning decisions that will guide future development and use of land in our towns, villages and rural areas.

The consultation period is open until Wednesday 11 December. To view the draft Plan Strategy and accompanying documents, and for details on how to respond, please visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/LDP You are also welcome to speak with our Planning Department directly at County Hall, Ballymena from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Now we are inviting you to have your say on this important document. This is your opportunity to make representations that will be considered before the draft Plan Strategy is adopted.

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

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Grow the economy and create jobs.

Support the communities within the historic conservation area of Carrickfergus, contributing to the sustainability of the local economy.

Improve quality of life and economic prosperity in local villages.

Encourage people to value our natural environment.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK There’s a survey on the back inside cover of this magazine – it is an opportunity to tell us how you think we are doing.

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Improve customer engagement and service delivery by enhancing our use of information technology.

To read our progress reports and to find out more, please visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/PIP

Council News

Are you winter ready?

With the theme of this issue being Safe, Warm and Well, there is a lot of information throughout the magazine to help you make the most of our services during the winter months ahead. Here’s some advice from NI Water that will help you get winter ready.

Their advice is to: • Wrap up pipes and water tanks with lagging – high street DIY stores have everything you need.

• Fix dripping taps – even a small trickle can

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• •

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result in a frozen pipe.

Find your property’s stop tap and make sure you can turn it off – most are under the kitchen sink.

Leave the heating on low if you go away for a winter break.

Check your central heating boiler has been serviced – it should be serviced annually.

Keep the name of a plumber handy – type in your postcode at www.watersafe.org. uk to find your nearest accredited plumbing business.

New roof taking shape at Carrickfergus Castle The £1million project to replace the roof of the Great Tower of Carrickfergus Castle is moving towards the completion of the first phase of works.

The existing flat roof from the 1930s has been removed and a new roof assembled using Irish Oak timbers for the ring beam, main trusses and rafters. These have been covered in oak sarking boards and the next stage will be to finish the roof in Cumbrian stone slates.

The new roof, built according to medieval construction techniques, will preserve the Great Tower for generations to come and allow the full use of the Great Hall for interpretative displays and functions.

Two years after having been blown down by Storm Ophelia in October 2017, the oak timbers from County Wicklow have found a new home in Carrickfergus, on the top of one of the most iconic castles in Northern Ireland.

Some emergency numbers you may want to keep handy include: • • • • •

Emergency services 999 or 112 Northern Ireland Electricity Networks 03457 643 643 NI Gas Emergency Service - 0800 002 001 Northern Ireland Water Waterline - 03457 440 088 Flooding Incident Line - 0300 2000 100

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• •

Emergency Housing - if you aren’t able to stay in your house, contact 03448 920 900 Report a fallen tree or blocked road - 0300 200 7891 NIDirect also have useful information online at: www.nidirect. gov.uk/publications/ household-severeweather-plan

Experience the force of winter at The Gobbins After a record-breaking summer season, we have extended the winter opening hours of The Gobbins.

The dramatic cliff walk comes into its own when the weather is wild – think crashing waves, bracing winds and lots of seaspray!* Opening Hours:

First tour

Last tour

We don’t think there is a better way to feel alive this winter than a visit to this place.

Book your tickets in advance at thegobbinscliffpath.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Frequency of tours

October

10am 3pm

Departing every 30mins

November 5 January**

10am 1pm

Mon-Thurs every hour Fri-Sun every 30mins

*In the event of extreme weather, The Gobbins may be closed for safety reasons. Please check before you travel. **Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 4

Economic Development

Amplify launches new portfolio of business growth programmes For local SMEs that are looking to expand and grow, we now offer an expanded portfolio of business support programmes, developed after feedback from over 200 companies who have already participated in our Business Escalator programme. The new portfolio underlines our commitment to provide support to SMEs in the borough who demonstrate a desire to grow and create jobs.

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Business Escalator Programme: Tailored business growth mentoring across 12 key specialisms including Finance, Sales and Marketing, Business Planning, HR and ICT.

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Digital Boost: *NEW* Specialist digital mentoring across a range of areas to stimulate business growth.

Small Business Procurement Programme: *NEW* Specialist mentoring around procurement and tendering. In partnership with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

Amplify Sales Growth: *PILOT* Providing specialist sales mentoring and training to companies who can demonstrate high growth potential by developing their sales capabilities.

Queens Award for Yelo Mid and East Antrim Women’s Network An exciting new network has been launched for established and new female entrepreneurs in the borough. Through the network, women will be able to explore business start-up and enterprise opportunities. There will be a series of planned workshops and events throughout the year for women to meet, share, develop and grow their business ideas.

Be inspired and sign up today at www.amplifymidandeastantrim. com/women 5

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

Congratulations to Carrickfergus based company Yelo who were recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The award recognises the company’s rise in export earnings over the past three years, with their laser and electronic products now being shipped worldwide.

The company employs over 50 people and is an active participant in the Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) - a council-supported initiative to help stimulate economic growth in local businesses.

For more information on the MTF, contact karen.hastings@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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Amplify High Growth Accelerator: *PILOT* Specialist business growth mentoring for businesses who have successfully completed their Business Escalator mentoring and have demonstrated significant growth potential.

To find out more, visit www.amplify midandeastantrim.com or contact amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cargo company on the move Freight firm ASAP Cargo has unveiled a new facility in Larne, in an investment of nearly £2m and plans to create 12 jobs.

ASAP Managing Director Mark Adamson said: “We started out in 2007 as a small niche company focusing on European markets, but we’ve evolved in response to customer demand and that has made us one of the major players in the logistics sector.

“We were leasing our former headquarters in Mallusk and got to the stage where we were having to turn business away. Our new Larne facility will enable us to fulfil larger contracts and support growth in the years ahead.”

The freight and logistics industry is one of the fastest growing in Northern Ireland. Council has supported the company through the relocation process and are actively engaging with the company through the Business Escalator Programme to help them continue to grow.

Thinking of starting up a business?

SAVE THE DATE! Enterprise Week 18-24 November Full list of events at www.amplifymid andeastantrim.com

Through Amplify, we offer a variety of business support programmes to help potential entrepreneurs get on the path to success.

Exploring Enterprise Provides an insight into starting a business or allows participants to take the first steps to gaining employment.

Participants will have one-to-one mentoring and will work towards achieving a CCEA Level 1 qualification in understanding business enterprise.

This is an Enterprise Northern Ireland initiative which is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014–2020, the Department for the Economy, Local Enterprise Agencies and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Exploring Enterprise was the first stepping stone that educated me on how to push my business in the right direction and thanks to this course and the great advisors I received a grant from the Rural Development Programme.

I am now successfully trading under the name of ‘Natasha Swan Ceramics’ with my handmade porcelain tableware in various shops and markets across NI and regularly providing ceramic making workshops.

Kickstart Kickstart provides up to 13 hours of specialist mentoring to businesses in their first year of trading. Participants will also receive an action plan to help them achieve their goals and free access to business workshops.

We did the Go for it Programme at Carrickfergus Enterprise and developed our business plan. This helped us identify the areas we were confident in and those aspects of running the business that we felt we needed further support with.

We then progressed on to the Kickstart programme which provides more indepth and tailored one-to-one advice. We wanted some support around financial management and book-keeping and our mentor, Audrey Murray from LEDCOM, helped us to implement practical strategies to improve record keeping and financial control. She gave us all the tools and confidence to continue with these independently as our business continues to grow. Audrey was incredibly kind, open and honest and her support and encouragement has been invaluable.

Natasha, owner of Natasha Swan Ceramics

Go For It! The Kickstart programme has been hugely beneficial in terms of setting targets and goals, evaluating our strengths and most importantly, overcoming any barriers and unknown territories we faced upon starting Freckles & Fern. The programme has really helped make our vision a reality and hopefully to continue to thrive in the wedding industry.

Supporting and providing one-to-one mentoring services to anyone wishing to start a new business in Mid and East Antrim. Participants benefit from the support of a skilled advisor who will carry out an assessment of the business idea and assist with the development of a business plan.

Book an appointment online at www.goforitni.com or call 0333 254 8345

Kate and Avril, owners of Freckles & Fern boutique stationary studio, Ballycarry.

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Environmental Health

Safe,Warm & Well How we are helping our most vulnerable residents this winter

One of our key priorities as your council is to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.

By 2023, our Corporate Plan objectives are to:

1.

Deliver a joined up approach to improve physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

2.

Play our part in enabling people to live longer and healthier lives, reducing health inequalities and social isolation.

With this as a framework, our Community Health and Wellbeing team are just some of the feet on the ground turning our objectives into action. Our advisors can make home visits and offer support to those struggling to keep warm and safe during the winter months. We can also refer you to government

With his benefits being stopped, John was in financial difficulty and his mental health was deteriorating fast due to his living conditions.

In short, John didn’t know where to turn.

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• •

We were able to: • •

Assist with John’s benefit application process.

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

4.

Lead by example to ensure that our workplaces are for health as well as wealth.

schemes such as Affordable Warmth, grant schemes and other community programmes. How we can help will depend on what is needed in each unique case.

However our joined-up approach allows each advisor to be the one point of contact for people who need support in many different ways.

Case study: John’s story Last year, we met John when he was living alone in a rented terraced house. His central heating system was broken, his kitchen was in disrepair, his bathroom unusable, his bedroom overflowing with rubbish and his garden inaccessible and overgrown.

3.

Enable older people to be active, respected and supported in their community.

Arrange for the rubbish to be cleared from his house and garden.

Refer John to a Housing Officer who served notice on the landlord for repairs to the kitchen and bathroom.

Secure John temporary accommodation with the Simon Community until work was completed.

Contact John’s GP and arrange for a referral to the Community Mental Health team.

Provide John with store cupboard essentials and a Keep Warm pack.

Refer John to the Northern Ireland Sustainability Energy Programme for a new gas heating system.

Speaking about his experience, John said:

I feel so much better since all the team have helped me. I used to dread coming home and now it is completely different.

The support really means the world to me.

We wish John all the best for the future, and we look forward to helping other people access the support needed to keep them safe, warm and well this winter.

323

£1m+

homes were referred to other fuel poverty schemes

accessed in grants for home insulation & new heating systems

(2018/19)

(2018/19)

104

458

improvements made to 242 homes through our schemes (2018/19)

120

37

referred to organisations such as NI Fire & Rescue and Health & Social Care

school pupils participated in our Energy Detectives programme

home safety public information events held

(2018/19)

(2018/19)

(2018/19)

What we offer Energy Efficiency We offer bespoke advice and guidance to help householders take steps to be safe, warm, and well. This can include home visits, onward referrals to grant schemes and support services.

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Stay warm: We support local oil stamp saving schemes. This allows you to spread the cost of your home heating oil by buying oil stamps at local retailers.

Sew energy efficient: This lending service for sewing machines enables community groups to learn basic machinery skills and you can even make a draught excluder to help fight the freeze and make your home more energy efficient.

Slow energy efficient: This session helps community groups learn how to create

tasty and low cost recipes in a slow cooker, making the most of budget ingredients to cook healthy, nutritional meals.

the home. They become part of an ‘Energy Detectives’ team, taking part in fun activities that help them and their families identify energy gobblers in their homes.

Home Safety Emotional Resilience and Wellbeing You can get a free home safety check if you are aged 65 or over, are a vulnerable adult/child or have a child under five. One of our team will visit and carry out a quick, relaxed and informal risk assessment of your home. They will look at things like blind cord safety, fall risk, burns and scalds and carbon monoxide. If safety equipment is needed, we can provide this for free.

Energy Detectives The ‘Energy Detectives’ schools programme is an engaging and practical way to show pupils where and how they can save energy in

WIN AN ELECTRIC BLANKET! We have one electric blanket to give away to a lucky reader!

To win, simply answer this question:

How many home safety public information events were held last year?

We are working in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to raise awareness of suicide prevention and help promote mental and emotional wellbeing. We can help you access mental health support services across the borough. You can also go to www.mindingyourhead.info For further information or to make a referral, call 028 2826 2462, email wellbeing@midandeastantrim. gov.uk or visit www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/ healthandwellbeing

Send your answer and contact details to Blanket Competition, Health and Wellbeing, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB or email wellbeing@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Please title your email ‘Blanket competition’. Closing date for entries will be 31 Dec, 2019.

Your information will be used for this competition only, and will be kept in line with Council’s data protection policy. The winner will be able to choose either a single or a double blanket.

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Waste & Recycling

Holiday Arrangements Alternative collection days for black/brown/blue bins

Alternative collection days for kerbside boxes

Bank Holiday

Carrickfergus

Ballymena

Larne

Bank Holiday

Carrickfergus

Ballymena

Tuesday 24 December

Normal collection

Normal collection

Saturday 21 December

Tuesday 24 December

Normal collection

Normal collection

Wednesday 25 December

Saturday 21 December

Saturday 28 December

Monday 23 December

Wednesday 25 December

Saturday 28 December

Saturday 28 December

Thursday 26 December

Saturday 28 December

None

Saturday 28 December

Thursday 26 December

No collection

No collection

Wednesday 1 January

Saturday 4 January

Saturday 4 January

Monday 30 December

Wednesday 1 January

Saturday 4 January

Saturday 4 January

Our household recycling centres: Redlands HRC, Harbour Highway, Larne Sullatober HRC, 10 Marshallstown Road, Carrickfergus Waveney Road HRC, Waveney Road, Ballymena October - March: Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

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Larne South HRC, 5 Island Road Lower, Ballycarry October - March: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Glenarm HRC, Dickeystown Road, Glenarm October - March: Wednesday and Saturday: 9am - 5pm

Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and will be open as usual on all other days.

Not sure when to put your bin out?

Bin-ovation is the FREE recycling app that provides the answer!

To find out more, visit www.bin-ovation.com Food waste – it’s in your hands!

• It costs twice as much to dispose of food waste in a black bin as it does to recycle food waste from a brown bin.

• Food waste that ends up in landfill also releases harmful gases that make it one of the most polluting types of waste.

This Christmas, if you can’t finish the feast in front of you, put your leftovers in your brown bin. This can then be made into high quality compost which is used in our parks and gardens.

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

It is also available to residents in spring during compost week. So, do the right thing for ratepayers and the environment this Christmas.

Use your brown bin!

Not so plastic fantastic Just like the rest of the world, plastic is everywhere in Mid and East Antrim. As a council, we are aware of the need to be responsible with how we use it and how we dispose of it.

90%+

400 tonnes

of material collected by us from kerbside collections in 2018 was recycled in the UK and Ireland.

of hard plastic collected from our HRCs in 2018. This was then sent to local processors in Northern Ireland and sold onto UK companies to be made into other recycled plastic goods such as car bumpers

That’s why we are encouraging you to make the most of our excellent recycling facilities and services, and to be aware as consumers about how we are contributing to a throwaway culture.

1000 tonnes

of plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays collected from household kerbside collections and sent to Bryson Recycling in 2018. The plastic is sold onto other reprocessors mostly based in the UK and Ireland to manufacture plastic pipes for the agricultural and construction industries.

While there is a lot more work to do, we are working hard to move things in a better direction for our planet.

Join the Refillution!

How to cut down on plastic waste this Christmas

In Mid and East Antrim, we use over 11m single use plastic bottles every year!

Reduce Why not give someone the gift of a memorable experience rather than a physical item this Christmas? Think outside the box and buy a loved one tickets to an event or membership to a club or gym. This beats giving them something that will eventually end up in the bin.

To help reduce this staggering total, we are supporting Northern Ireland Water’s Refillution campaign, aimed at encouraging everyone to commit to refilling a reusable water bottle and stop buying single use plastic bottles.

We are encouraging our staff to fill from the tap, and encouraging local businesses, schools and communities to do the same. By signing up to the campaign, you are offering your tap water to passers-by who need a refill. Your premises will be listed on a map linked to the NI Water app, making it easy for someone to find their nearest refill stop. By switching to a reusable bottle, we can help reduce plastic waste in landfill, on roadsides and in our waterways.

To register your business, school or community and receive a free toolkit, contact Katy.

Kerr@midand eastantrim.gov.uk

Recycle A lot of packaging can be recycled, especially cardboard boxes. Make sure you take out any plastic from inside them first.

Polystyrene can’t be recycled in your kerbside bins or boxes.

Take it instead to an HRC where it can be recycled.

Polystyrene is marked with the RIC symbol 6:

Reuse It can be hard to recycle wrapping paper as it can either be laminated with plastic or completely made from plastic. Try using 100% paper wrapping, like brown paper, and decorate it for added personalisation. If it is laminated, try to salvage as much of it as you can and re-use next year.

DID YOU KNOW? Drinks containers make up 22% of littered items on roads & 28% in litter bins

Littering is an offence that can result in an £80 fixed penalty notice

We can help you organise a local community clean up For more info, contact catherine.hunter@mid andeastantrim.gov.uk

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WHAT’S ON IN MEA | WINTER NOVEMBER Super Saturdays at Carrickfergus Museum

Carrickfergus Art Club Autumn Exhibition 8-23 November Carrickfergus Museum

2 November and 7 December Carrickfergus Museum Free Bring your little ones (under 5) to this family friendly session of creativity and imagination on the first Saturday of every month. Booking essential.

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The Fiddle and the Fife Exhibition

9 November, 8pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £25

Until 18 January, 2020.

Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid

The Story of these Islands in 100 Places.

21 November, 8pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £22.50

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Victorian Street Fair, Whitehead Sat 30 November, 1-6pm

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Sorry For Your Loss 22 November, 8pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £20

Braid Real Music Club presents Liam Ó Maonlaí Richard Hayward’s East Antrim Exhibition

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6 December, 7.30pm Larne Museum and Arts Centre Tickets free, but must be booked in advance

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Victorian Street Fair.

Organised by Whitehead Community Association, supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

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Presented by The Alternative Medicine Theatre.

If it’s laughter you are after, then this is the wake for you! Theatre performance by the Ban-Rúa theatre group. Over 18s only.

This exhibition will highlight the rich musical heritage which thrived in the local area and is a collaboration between the museum and local musicians Johnny Murphy, Willie Drennan and David McClean.

2-16 November, 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday Larne Town Hall

Richard Hayward’s East Antrim – A talk by Paul Clements

Jimmy Buckley in Concert

Neil Oliver

Larne Art Club Autumn Exhibition

SPECIAL EVENT:

28-30 November, 7.30pm.

Saturday matinee: 1.30pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £8, concession £5

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Sleeping Beauty

15 November to 31 December, 10am-4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Saturday openings on 16 Nov and 14 Dec. Larne Museum and Arts Centre

23 November, 8pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £10 Liam is an internationally renowned Irish musician, best known as a member of the Hothouse Flowers.

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Christmas Craft Exhibition 30 November - 4 January Carrickfergus Museum ................................................

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FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more in our What’s On Guide, available in our Visitor Information Centres, or at www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/events

Delve into the life of the actor, singer, writer and broadcaster Richard Hayward, who was raised in Larne.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

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Information is correct at the time of print. However details may change, so please check with the organiser closer to the time.

DECEMBER Carrickfergus Photographic Society Exhibition 2-14 December Carrickfergus Museum ................................................

A Classical Christmas* 6 December, 7.30pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: Adult £12, Child under 12 £6

Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas Pantomime 13-27 December. Evening shows 7pm. Saturday matinees: 11am and 3pm.

The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £11, concession £9. Family Ticket (2 Adults 2 Children/1 Adult 3 Children) £35.

Presented by Cr:8 Theatre.

Both brought to you

by Ballymena Chamber Orchestra. *Multibuy ticket available for both shows - Adults £20 Children £10. Available via the Braid Box Office.

28 December, 8pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £17.50 ................................................

JANUARY Larne Family History Society Exhibition 6-17 January, 10am4.30pm (Closed Sunday) Larne Museum and Arts Centre

Christmas Top of the Pops* 7 December, 7.30pm The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: Adult £12, Child under 12 £6

Christmas Country Showtime

Showing life in Larne through newspaper articles dating back to the 1700s. ................................................

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Larne Workhouse

by Simon Gallaher 14 December, 3pm Larne Museum and Arts Centre

Our Jimmy 10 January, 8pm McNeill Theatre, Larne Tickets: £20 This show will delight fans old and new who enjoy good Ulster humour.

This talk explores the history of the Poor Law workhouse in Larne during the nineteenth century.

Free tickets must be booked in advance.

Jake O’Kane – Walking the Line 30 January, 8pm @ McNeill Theatre, Larne 31 January, 8pm @The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £22.50 Ages 16+ Jake O’Kane’s latest show sees Northern Ireland’s most popular comic once again cast his caustic eye over the events of the last year. ................................................

MORE EARLY 2020 EVENTS 3 Feb: Blarney Boys Glen Houston, Braid Arts Centre 6 Feb: Rock and Roll Years and Dance Hall Days, McNeill Theatre, Larne 7 Feb: Neil Delamare, Braid Arts Centre 2-16 March: Jordanstown Art Club Spring Exhibition, Carrickfergus Museum 5 March: World Book Day, Larne Museum and Arts Centre.

6 March: Colin Murphy Colinization, McNeill Theatre, Larne.

17 March: St Patrick’s Day at Slemish and Broughshane

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Years & Dance Hall Days

Sleeping Beauty 7 December, 2pm & 7pm Carrickfergus Town Hall Tickets: £6

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Once upon a time, there was a princess named Rose…and so begins our pantomime!

14 December, 2pm & 7pm McNeill Theatre, Larne Tickets: £6

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Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time, there was a princess named Rose…and so begins our pantomime! ................................................

11 January, 8pm.

The Braid Arts Centre Tickets: £22

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i

TO BOOK TICKETS:

The Braid Arts Centre www.wegottickets.com/ thebraidartscentre or call 028 2563 5077 McNeill Theatre www. ticketsource.co.uk/ larnearts or call The Book Nook on 028 2826 0395 Larne Arts Centre and Museum 028 2826 2443 or email marian.kelso@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Carrickfergus Museum carrickfergusmuseums@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

12

Parks Events and Open Spaces

Forest Schools set up ranger base in People’s Park The People’s Park in Ballymena is set to become a permanent Nature Ranger base in a pilot scheme being run by the Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association (NIFSA).

The permanent base will provide year-round outdoor education, afterschool provision and family events to encourage children and their families to value the outdoor environment.

With activities including den building, camouflage games and learning about our environment simply by being surrounded by it every day, it is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the park and encourage people to engage with their local environment.

This will also ensure the benefits of forest schools are available to more schools, youth groups and families across the Borough.

Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association (NIFSA) has been active in the borough for a number of years, encouraging the best use of parks and open spaces. Hundreds of schoolchildren have already taken part from Dunclug, Kirkinriola, St Colmcille’s, Millquarter, Ballycarry, Moyle, Seaview, Victoria and Whitehead primary schools.

Ranger scheme will be launched Easter 2020 with opportunities for casual bookings and trial sessions for the afterschool’s programme.

For more information, visit www. forestschool awards.org

Parks and open spaces are a vital component to family life providing outdoor recreational facilities all year round. The full Nature

Ability café opens

Winter wildlife

A new Ability café serving breakfast and hot and cold snacks has opened at Ecos, Ballymena.

Winter is a good time to get outside and get close to nature as many animals are still active.

Even better, all takeaway food and hot beverages will be served in 100% compostable cups, and it is a dog-friendly cafe!

USEL, in partnership with council and Catalyst Inc, will run the café, providing a welcome break for those using the building or the nature park.

You can still see bats, hares, hedgehogs and even red squirrels as winter begins to draw in. Along the shore, look out for harbour seals, wildfowl and wading birds. Herons, kingfishers and otters can be found in our rivers throughout the season.

Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

A park for the people Have you visited the newly refurbished play area at People’s Park?

The £120k investment saw equipment being updated and ramped access to enable wheelchair 13

users to play alongside other children. The new equipment provides challenges for all levels of ability. This is part of a bigger investment into the People’s Park, which celebrates its 150th year in 2020.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

Did you know there are six nature reserves in the Borough? These are managed to provide much needed habitat for our wonderful wildlife.

• Beach Road, Whitehead • Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen, Carrickfergus • Carrickfergus Mill Ponds • Cranny Falls, Carnlough • Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead • Straidkilly, Glenarm.

Parks Events and Open Spaces

Four ways to get outdoors this winter!

WALK There’s a special atmosphere in our parks and open spaces every season, but winter can be especially invigorating.

Try out Carnfunnock Country Park for a bracing, coastal walk or the eerie tranquillity of Ecos Nature Park as the mist hangs over the River Braid. Finish with a hot chocolate or coffee in one of our Borough’s multitude of fine cafes.

RUN Parkrun is a phenomenal success across the world and we are lucky to have three fantastic runs in the borough. This free, weekly, timed event is so much more than just a run – it is an opportunity to meet new people, volunteer in your local area and enjoy the changing seasons.

All of our Parkruns are in pleasant parkland surroundings and all abilities are welcome – so whether you’re after a Personal Best or want to stretch your legs on a Saturday morning, everyone is welcome.

Parkruns are held in Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena; Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne; and Amphitheatre Wellness Centre, Carrickfergus every Saturday at 9.30am. To find out more, visit www.parkrun.org.uk SWING The Open may be over but golf can be a year round sport providing a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and keep active. Both Bentra Golf Club and Carnfunnock golf course provide fantastic value golfing on your doorstep with membership and daily rates available. Golf is a social sport providing opportunities to catch up with friends and have some fun. Did you know that golfers walk over six miles on an average 18-hole round? That’s up hill, downhill and through all sorts of different terrain – what better way to keep fit through the cold winter months!

SOW Daylight hours may be in short supply but even a few hours spent on the allotment at this time of year will not only warm you up and reward you with some tasty crops – you’ll reap the benefits next year, too. There is still time to plant out overwintering crops such as onions, garlic and beans. Other jobs can include planting fruit bushes, making leaf mould and compost and preparing your soil for next season. Allotments can open up a whole new social life and winter is the perfect time to meet your new neighbours and chat over the garden fence with a warm mug of tea. There are three council-managed allotment gardens in the borough, and a range of community gardens always keen for new members. For more information, contact allotments@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Slemish

Ecos

Bentra

14

It takes a village‌

1

Broughshane benefitted from the construction of a new and enhanced play park.

Ahoghill saw the regeneration of the Diamond area in the centre of the village.

Carnlough benefitted from a regeneration scheme for Hurry Head and the harbour area.

Portglenone received investment in the form of an outdoor fitness zone and extended finger jetties to increase berthing capacity along the River Bann.

15

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

PHASE

PHASE

Without exception, all the villages have been successful in attracting both Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and council funding, and progress is currently being delivered in six separate phases. This work has already reinvigorated spaces and made a positive difference to these communities.

2

Islandmagee benefitted from much needed acoustic panels and a PA system for the local community centre.

ÂŁ2m+

Invested into these village renewal projects

19

projects awarded funding

10

projects already complete

PHASE

Since 2016, we have been working with community organisations in Mid and East Antrim to shape a vision for their villages which could attract funding.

3

Whitehead achieved funding for a regeneration scheme along the coastal park and promenade.

Gleno was awarded funding for a community garden in the centre of this picturesque waterfall village.

Glynn benefitted from a funding award to increase parking facilities and storage for its busy village hall.

Cargan

Carnlough

Newtowncrommelin Glenravel Clough

Rural Events Development Plan

Glenarm

Martinstown

Glarryford

COAST ROAD Dunminning

Broughshane

Ballygally

Cullybackey Portglenone

BRAID

Galgorm Gracehill Ahoghill

BALLYMENA Millbrook

BALLYMENA

LARNE

Kilwaughter

Cloney

BANNSIDE

LARNE LOUGH

Moorfields

Islandmagee The Grange

Hillstown

Glynn

Kells Raloo

Glenoe Ballycarry

KNOCKAGH

Whitehead

Clough received funding to enable the construction of a MUGA facility.

The growing village of Ballycarry attracted funding to create a MUGA facility on the site of an old hockey pitch.

5

Greenisland

PHASE

4

PHASE

PHASE

CARRICKFERGUS

CARRICK CASTLE

6

Phase 5 is currently in progress and includes:

Phase 6 is currently in progress and includes:

Enhancement of Ballygally beachfront, public realm and picnic area improvements.

A section of community greenway in Glenravel.

Glenarm foreshore regeneration scheme to increase facilities for locals and visitors.

The development of a play park facility and environmental enhancements to the Kells and Connor public realm.

Provision of a walking loop at ‘God’s Acre’ in Gracehill.

PA systems in Cloney and Millbrook.

Provision of outdoor fitness equipment, interpretation panels and directional finger posts on the Maine riverside path in Cullybackey.

Small community garden at the open space in The Grange.

Environmental enhancements to the perimeter of the Acorn Centre, Cloney.

The provision of a bus lay-by, hard stand and local signage in Hillstown.

Future plans: Additional funding is being applied for from DAERA. Applications for projects in Ahoghill, Ballystudder, Cullybackey and Kells are being progressed and will be submitted to DAERA for approval.

This project was part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the DAERA and the European Union, with Council providing a 25% match funding contribution.

In addition, we have also committed capital funding to several of the initiatives as they tie in with our Capital Plan. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in these Village Renewal projects, including DAERA, the MEABC LAG Board and staff, community leaders and volunteers.

16

PEACE IV

Changing youth attitudes through conflict studies Forty young people from across the Borough are taking part in a project to tackle hatred and intolerance through the lessons learnt from the Bulkan conflict in the 1990s.

The Conflict Transformation and Srebrenica Programme offers young people the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops, a residential and a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina to see and hear at first hand the causes, impacts and lessons of the conflict, the siege of Sarajevo and Srebrenica genocide.

The name Srebrenica has become synonymous with the dark days in July 1995 when 8,372 men and boys were murdered and buried in mass graves.

The first group have already visited BosniaHerzegovina, with more young people being encouraged to sign up for the second visit that will take place in Spring 2020.

To request an application pack, please contact Peter Osborne on 07803 717 930 or Amil Khan on 0121 454 3343. You can also email mea@srebrenica.org.uk

The first Northern Ireland programme of learning about the Bosnian conflict and Srebrenica genocide will be delivered in Mid and East Antrim with support from the EU PEACE IV Programme, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Remembering Srebrenica UK.

Street Art project brings Your Place Our life to forgotten spaces Space in numbers St.ART (Street Art) is a cross community, intergenerational project that works with communities to bring life into underused and under-loved spaces in Larne, Ballymena and Carrickfergus.

With funding coming from the PEACE IV programme, a number of events have already been transforming spaces over the summer such as pop-up and drivein cinemas, Larne Spring Festival and Umbrella Street.

With more events being planned, keep a look out on council’s Facebook page for information.

To find out more about the St.ART project please contact the project officer on 028 2563 3560 or email ursula.coll@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

The Your Place Our Space (YPOS) programme has had a sensational year.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the magic that has happened: •

•

SAVE THE DATE! Lumiere event, Saturday 9 November at Carrick Castle 5.30pm-9pm

•

•

17

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

Woollen Woods, Whitehead - 52 musicians entertained 660 attendees amidst 315 knitted creations.

Urban Sports Extravaganza, Ballymena - 16 young people learnt five different sports and created a piece of graffiti art for the Base garden project.

Ballymena Big Tent Project - 68 human pyramids made, 24 spinning plates, 12 diabolos and one final show enjoyed by 127 people.

Larne Circus Skills Project - 1 tight-wire, 1 trampette, plenty of matts and hundreds

•

•

•

of cartwheels and backflips performed by 24 children.

Reimaging our Space - Ballymena project 4,200 mosaic tiles used to create a flower border artwork for Ballykeel Community Centre.

Urban beach, People’s Park, Ballymena - 220 tonnes of sand, 20 events, nearly 52,000 visitors and a 34% increase in park visitors over the summer from the year before.

Men’s Shed, AEL Larne - 10 allotment plots created by 15 men, with 64 tonnes of stone shifted to landscape the plots.

To get involved in upcoming events, please contact the YPOS project officer at yourplaceourspace@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

YPOS is an intergenerational environment project. It focuses on the shared sustained use of outdoor spaces, and is funded by the European Union’s PEACE IV programme. It is managed by the Special EU programmes Body (SEUPB).

Community Planning

Making a difference, together It has been two years since the launch of Putting People First, our Community Plan for Mid and East Antrim.

This plan has the vision that our borough will be “a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community, where people work together to improve the quality of life for all”. Here, we share two stories that show how the Community Plan is already making a difference in people’s lives.

Sustainable jobs and tourism

5 themes in the Community Plan: Sustainable Jobs and Tourism Good Health and Wellbeing Progress In Education Community Safety and Cohesion Our Environment

Working with private sector companies and the education sector, we have connected young people with apprenticeships that offer employment and training, giving them skills and qualifications that are needed by local companies.

I started the Galgorm Apprenticeship Programme in September 2018 and this gave me the opportunity of not only working within the resort but also completing my NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery at Northern Regional College. This apprenticeship has been excellent for me as I have enhanced my skills within the kitchen.

I will now be working within Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort as a chef; however, I am also going back to NRC to complete my NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery two days per week.

Case Study

Outcome: Our borough has a culture of entrepreneurship, skills development and vocational training.

Partner agencies: Galgorm, Northern Regional College

James Blair, professional cookery apprentice

Good Health and Wellbeing The Larne Fresh Food Hub came out of the desire to supply the Larne Food Bank with fresh produce. By connecting with our Growing Communities officer, we got funding from the EU’s PEACE IV programme. We connected with the Dixon Park Residents’ Association and built an enthusiastic team of volunteer gardeners. The group have been growing a variety of vegetables and participating in workshops. Now Larne Food Bank can send clients directly to the garden to pick whatever they need.

i

Case Study

Most of us were mainly attracted to the scheme initially as a means of using our free time to support the Larne Food Hub with a steady supply of fresh food. But surprisingly, this was only part of the story. Each of us quickly became ardent gardeners, replicating at Outcome: home the lessons our project leader Our borough has health equality Anne taught us. The result for for all (action is tackling poverty).

myself has been life changing!

I've spent every available minute outside from April to September, working in the garden, and now consequently feel fitter than I have for ages and have enjoyed every minute!”

Partner agencies: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Larne Food Bank, PEACE IV.

Elaine Magee

If you would like to find out more about the Community Plan, our aims and our progress to date, we have recently published our 2019 Statement of Progress. This is available to read online at www.issuu.com/meabc.

You can also visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/communityplanning 18

PCSP

Scam Champion on mission to help older people

Every year in the UK,

£10billion is lost to scammers

Businesses across Mid and East Antrim are being offered free training to help their older customers recognise when they are being scammed.

To help businesses become more aware of the situations their elderly customers may be experiencing, the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) is offering up its Scam Champion to deliver training and answer queries.

Deirdre McCloskey, the Project Coordinator at MEAAP, says the project is about taking their message even wider.

“MEAAP have previously ran scam awareness sessions to older people’s groups across the borough. However we wanted to extend our reach further into the community and encourage local businesses to learn how they can also help to protect their older and possibly more vulnerable customers from possible scams. This is a dual approach where we not only educate older people, we are empowering the businesses to help identify scams before they even happen.”

If you think your business could benefit, contact Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership on 028 2565 8604.

53%

of people aged ≥ 65 have been targeted

The average age of a scam victim is

75

i What can you do to protect yourself and/or others:

1. Never disclose security details 2. Don’t assume everyone is genuine 3. Don’t be rushed 4. Listen to your instincts 5. Stay in control.

Signs signal commitment to road safety Have you noticed the ‘Kill your speed not a child’ posters up in your neighbourhood?

Designed and produced by Mid and East Antrim PCSP and the PSNI, the posters are an effort to help change the behaviour of those drivers who ignore speed limits around schools and built up areas. The PCSP and local residents have been putting them up as temporary notices, and more have had to be printed to keep up with the demand.

Get fit for life, for less £19 per month 19

Adult

£25 per month

Join online today:

Mid and East Antrim PCSP is committed to Road Safety initiatives through its 2019/20 Action Plan. For more information or to request signs please email pcsp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

No joining fee, no contract, no excuse.

with a leisure centre membership Swim

With other agencies expressing an interest in rolling out the scheme across Northern Ireland, it is hoped the end result will be a bottom line of slower driving speeds in areas where children may be playing.

Family

£39 per month

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/MEActive Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

Good Relations

Final call to get involved in Exploring our Spaces A programme exploring shared spaces in Mid and East Antrim is coming to an end after more than two years of community work.

The Exploring Our Space programme, supported through the Executive Office District Council Good Relations programme, has opened doors to places that are part of our borough’s rich and diverse heritage.

Visits have included Portglenone Monastery, Ballycarry Protestant Hall, Carrickfergus Town Hall, Carnlough Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Andrew Jackson Cottage, Drumalis Retreat Centre and Broughshane Orange Hall.

Exploring history, culture, heritage and diversity through a good relations perspective, participants have tasted Ulster cuisine,

enjoyed Irish dancing and been treated to musical traditions such as Lambeg drumming.

This programme will continue until March 2020 and is an opportunity for people and community groups to explore together places of interest within the Borough. We would like to thank all those who participated in the programme, especially

Good Relations Grants Scheme

Save the Date

Up to £2,500 available for projects taking place before 31 March 2020.

#embRACE Week 8-15 February, 2020

Did you know that up to £2,500 is available for constituted groups in Mid and East Antrim who are planning to host a good relations project or activity before 31 March 2020?

This 100% funding is available through Council’s Good Relations Programme. Projects must clearly link to the Together Building a United Community (T:BUC) Theme: Our Cultural Expression.

This theme aims to create a community which promotes mutual respect and understanding and is strengthened by its diversity, and where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced.

Groups must demonstrate that an outcome of their project will be the “increased sense of community belonging (widens contribution beyond community background”).

To find out more, visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/goodrelations or call 0300 124 5000

those who shared their local knowledge with us.

We will be hosting a series of events to raise awareness of the diverse cultures across our borough as part of weeklong celebrations called #embRACE.

To find out more, email goodrelations@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Visit our website and social media channels for more information nearer the time. Or contact our Good Relations team at goodrelations@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk or on 0300 124 5000.

This programme will continue to develop mutual understanding, respect for cultural traditions, the principle of interdependence, and positive crosscommunity and race relations.

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Ratepayer Satisfaction Survey

All responses will be entered into a

FREE DRAW FOR A FAMILY PASS TO THE GOBBINS!

Our aim is to provide high quality services to all of our citizens. Last year, over 88% of respondents said that they were satisfied with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

We are keen to hear your thoughts on how we are doing this year.

Please fill out this survey and return it to us at: Corporate Performance, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1AB before 31 Dec 2019. You can also fill it out at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CorpPSur

Name: Contact details:

1.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements (numbers 1-6)

I trust the Council The Council has a good reputation The Council treats people fairly The Council shows good leadership The Council consults with and listens to the views of local people The Council provides value for money The Council helps to make Mid and East Antrim Borough a good place to live

2.

In the last 12 months have you contacted or made an enquiry to the Council face-to-face, by phone, email, social media, via the website or any other way?

Yes, face-to-face Yes, by phone Yes, by email Yes, by social media

1 | Definitely agree 2 | Tend to agree 3 | Neither agree nor disagree 4 | Tend to disagree 5 | Definitely disagree 6 | Don’t know

Yes, via the website Yes, (other – please specify) No

3.

How would you rate your experience of your most recent contact with us?

Could you tell us how we could have given you a better experience?

Excellent Good Fair Poor Very poor

Very satisfied Satisfied

Please say why you are dissatisfied?

Neither Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Don’t know 21

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2019

Your contact details will only be used for the purpose of entering the competition. It will be kept in line with Council's Data Protection Policy, which is available to read online.

CUT OUT AND KEEP

and taking everything into consideration, how satisfied or dissatisfied 4. Overall are you with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council?

Your Councillors

Your Council Ballymena Ald John Carson DUP ald.carson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr James Henry Independent cllr.henry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Eugene Reid SDLP cllr.ereid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Trish O’Lynn Alliance cllr.o’lynn@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Rodney Quigley Independent cllr.quigley@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald William McNeilly UUP ald.mcneilly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Cheryl Johnston DUP cllr.johnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Bobby Hadden Independent cllr.hadden@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Tommy Nicholl MBE DUP ald.nicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Robin Stewart UUP cllr.rstewart@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Andrew Wilson UUP cllr.awilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Braid

Cllr John McDermott UUP cllr.mcdermott@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Larne Lough

Cllr Beth Adger MBE Deputy Mayor DUP cllr.adger@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Ald Robin Cherry MBE UUP ald.cherry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Muriel Burnside Alliance cllr.burnside@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Matthew Armstrong TUV cllr.armstrong@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Brian Collins TUV cllr.collins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Audrey Wales MBE DUP ald.wales@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Julie Frew DUP cllr.frew@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Bannside

Cllr Christopher Jamieson TUV cllr.jamieson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Timothy Gaston TUV cllr.gaston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Tom Gordon DUP cllr.gordon@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Ian Friary Sinn Féin cllr.friary@ midandeastantrim.org Ald Stewart McDonald TUV ald.mcdonald@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

40 Councillors, elected in seven District Electoral Areas, working together to create a better future for all in Mid and East Antrim Borough.

Cllr William McCaughey DUP cllr.mccaughey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Carrick Castle

Coast Road

Cllr Robert Logan Alliance cllr.logan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr James McKeown Sinn Féin cllr.mckeown@ midandeastantrim.org

Cllr Gregg McKeen DUP cllr.mckeen@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Maureen Morrow Mayor UUP cllr.morrow@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Keith Turner UUP cllr.turner@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Gerardine Mulvenna Alliance ald.mulvenna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Andrew Clarke DUP cllr.clarke@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Angela Smyth DUP cllr.smyth@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Paul Reid DUP ald.reid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Danny Donnelly Alliance cllr.donnelly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Find out more about your local councillors at www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/councillors

Knockagh Ald Noel Williams Alliance ald.williams@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Billy Ashe MBE DUP ald.ashe@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Peter Johnston DUP cllr.pjohnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Lauren Gray Alliance cllr.gray@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Marc Collins DUP cllr.mcollins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

?

DID YOU KNOW?

Meetings of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are recorded, and the audio is available on our website: www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/audio

22

FIND YOUR CHRISTMAS IN

MID AND EAST ANTRIM JOIN US FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY FUN AS WE SWITCH ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACROSS THE BOROUGH: Ballymena Thursday 14 Nov, 4-7.30pm

Larne Friday 15 Nov, 5-8pm

Carrickfergus Saturday 16 Nov, 2-6pm

Join us at the Harmony Hub and see Santa and his real reindeer in the spectacular lantern parade, including Clydesdale horses and dray, ponies, Broughshane Pipe Band and local schools. There will be festive family fun with live music, Christmas characters and much more!

Join Santa, Sleeping Beauty and a host of local talent for the festivities between 5pm-8pm. Lantern parade leaving Larne Market Yard at 7pm, with switch on at Broadway at 7.30pm.

Annual switch on ceremony, carol service and fireworks display. With real reindeer, live music, dance and festive fun for all the family.

Plus! Christmas band concerts on 7, 14 and 21 December in Carrickfergus town centre.

Whitehead Saturday 30 Nov, 1-6pm Victorian street fair, carol service and fireworks display. Organised

by Whitehead Community Association, supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

For further details visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/christmas #findyourchristmas

Greenisland Community Centre Thursday 5 Dec, 7pm Annual switch on ceremony and carol service.