Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine
Summer 2016
Useful Numbers Tourism
Leisure Centres
Arthur Cottage 028 2563 5010
Amphitheatre Carrickfergus 028 9335 8342
Glenarm Marina 028 2884 1285 Newferry Tourism Facility 028 2563 5010 Portglenone Marina 028 2563 5010 The Gobbins Visitor Centre 028 9337 2318
Larne Leisure Centre 028 2826 2497 Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena 028 2563 3382 Ballymena Showgrounds 028 2563 3290
Contact and engage with us
Shaping our future together
We are always looking for ways to make it easier for you to engage with us at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Welcome to our second issue of Connections magazine. Summer is my favourite time of year and it is when the Borough is at its best. As the newly elected Mayor, I look forward to visiting all our towns and villages – and with a full programme of summer events lined up for July and August there’s plenty of reason to be out and about. Find out more on pages 12-14.
We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions.
Ballymena Visitor Information Centre 028 2563 5077 Carrickfergus Visitor Information Centre 028 9335 8241 Larne Visitor Information Centre 028 2826 2495
Cemetery Enquiries Ballymena 028 2563 3213 Carrickfergus 028 9335 8220 Larne 028 2826 2384
Parks & Open Spaces Carnfunnock Country Park 028 2827 0541 Ecos Centre 028 2563 3363 The People’s Park 028 2563 3342 Bentra Golf Course 028 9337 8996
Area Planning Office 0300 200 7830
Waste, Street Cleansing and Recycling Ballymena 028 2563 3385 Larne 028 2826 2428 Carrickfergus 028 9335 8267
You can contact us directly by telephone: 0300 124 5000 Visit or write to us at any of the offices below: Ballymena 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
Connect with us
Some of this work is highlighted in this magazine. In this issue, we look at several key council projects in each electoral area (pg4-5). The range of these is fascinating and, as councillors, we hope these projects are improving life for everyone.
You can follow us on our social media channels to keep up-to-date with the latest news and information from the Borough. We want to hear from you, and see your photographs, so use the hashtag #myMEA and tweet and tag us to share your comments. MEA Borough Council
Environmental Health Animal Welfare 028 2563 3134 After 5pm/weekends/holidays 07824 994490
Critical to the success of all council’s work is listening to the people in our communities, and this engagement is currently being shaped by our Community Plan. As it is being developed, there are opportunities to get involved (pg11) and I would encourage anyone to consider it.
twitter.com/mea_bc instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil You can also keep up-to-date with the Mayor by following her on her social media channels:
And finally, speaking of shaping our future, I wish all the best to those from the Borough taking part in the Rio Olympics and Paralympics this summer. I also wish all the best to Emma Simpson (pg18) who travels to New York in August to represent Northern Ireland at the UN. There are many reasons to be proud of Mid and East Antrim, but it makes me even more proud when I see young people care about the place – and indeed the world - in which we live.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Grants Council and Community Grants Ballymena 028 2563 3148 Council and Community Grants Carrickfergus and Larne 028 9335 8240
To contact Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, telephone
0300 124 5000
twitter.com/Mayor_MEA instagram.com/mayorofmeaborough Why not send her a tweet or post and use the hashtag #MEAMayor We would like to hear any comments or suggestions you have for our Council Magazine, please contact us at Communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Or send your comments by post to Communications Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Ardeevin 80 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1AB If you would like this publication in an alternative format, such as large print, please email Communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
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The vision of council is to create a better future for all, and we work in close partnership with key stakeholders to grow and support the local economy, develop our tourism potential and to build safer and healthier communities.
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Your council, your area
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Need to know
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Going green
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Focus on food
10
Focus on community planning
11
Summer events in our Borough
12
Volunteering 15 Health and safety
16
Grants scheme
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Business 19 Your council
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Competition
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Feedback and survey
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How to contact the Mayor’s Office CUT OUT AND KEEP
Visitor Information Centres
Planning
Contents
All invitations to the Mayor should be sent to the Mayor’s Office and confirmed in writing. This may be via email. The Mayor’s Office will gladly provide any protocol advice or further guidance.
Mayor’s Office Chief Executive’s Department The Braid, 1–29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ T: 028 2563 5055 E: Mayors.Office@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Carnlough 3
Your council, your area Carnlough
Cargan
Newtowncrommelin
Glenarm
Martinstown
Clough
Bannside
Glenarm Marina
Glenarm Castle
Glarryford
COAST ROAD Dunminning
Carnfunnock Country Park
Broughshane Garden Village
Broughshane
Ballygally
Ballymena Showgrounds
Arthur Cottage
Portglenone Galgorm Ahoghill
Ballymena Town Hall
Gracehill Ahoghill
Seven Towers Leisure Centre
The Black Arch
Slemish Mountain
Cullybackey
Portglenone Marina
BRAID
Larne LarnePort Town Hall
Includes Ahoghill, Cullybackey, Galgorm, Grange,Maine and Portglenone.
Includes Ballee and Harryville, Broughshane, Glenravel, Glenwhirry, Kells, Kirkinriola and Slemish.
On the banks of the Lower Bann, the beautiful Portglenone Marina was opened in 2014 as a state-of-the-art facility that includes access to the river, motorhome services, trailer park, Pavilion and children’s playparks. The marina is also home to the local Community Rescue Service, who provide a life-saving service in the area. We are currently working on plans to refurbish the Portglenone Community Centre which is located within this complex. This will expand the activities available and provide access to the wider community including playgroups, senior citizens’ activities such as indoor bowling, meeting rooms, sports and leisure facilities and room hire to include children’s parties. It is hoped the centre will be open in late 2016.
Two of our sports clubs have taken advantage of our funding schemes to improve pitches and install floodlighting. All Saints GAC will use the new facilities to extend their playing and training hours, allowing them to be more flexible with fixtures and attract non-club matches. Through engagement with non-gaelic sporting clubs in Ballymena, this funding will allow individuals and groups to embrace the diversity within our community. In Glenravel, the Con Magees GAC has similarly upgraded its pitches and lighting facilities. These improvements allow the club to deliver their aims of increasing participation in sport, both on a competitive and recreational level.
Larne Leisure Centre
BALLYMENA Millbrook
BALLYMENA
LARNE
Kilwaughter
LARNE LOUGH
BANNSIDE
Islandmagee Kells Village
Kells
Glenoe Raloo
The Gobbins
Ballycarry Bentra Golf Course
KNOCKAGH
Blackhead Lighthouse
Whitehead Carrickfergus Town Hall
Amphitheatre Wellness Centre
CARRICKFERGUS Andrew Jackson Cottage
Greenisland
Right across the Borough, we’re working hard to align services and move forward with the new functions that transferred to council under local government reform, such as Planning. We hope to produce our Local Area Plan within a tight 40-week timeframe and we’re working on two key strategies for economic growth and for tourism. However, we also work on a local level to specifically tackle local issues. Here are just some of the projects we are currently involved with in each district electoral area.
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Braid
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus Marina
CARRICK CASTLE
Ballymena Includes Academy, Ardeevin, Ballykeel, Braidwater, Castle Demesne, Fair Green and Park. We’ll be breathing new life into the Ecos Centre and nature area in Ballymena, through an exciting new partnership with the NI Science Park. £1.6million will be invested in the Ecos Centre through the Big Lottery Fund, to attract science and technology jobs to the town. NI Science Parks in Belfast and in Derry/ Londonderry already house over 150 businesses. The project also includes a new visitor attraction, where innovation and enterprise can be seen in action. Outside, school groups will be able to see science in action too, with a range of outdoor exhibits. We expect to open the new Science Park late in 2016.
Carrick Castle Includes Boneybefore, Castle, Kilroot, Love Lane, Victoria. Get ready to see Carrickfergus in a whole new light, as we are developing a lighting strategy within the Town Walls area to illuminate key buildings and structures. It will also be possible to project art illuminations onto certain backdrops, picking out themes of an historic, maritime and industrial nature which are integral to the history of the town. This lighting strategy runs alongside our Carrickfergus Town Walls Conservation Management Plan and our Heritage Lottery Funded townscape project, which will renew and restore old buildings in key town centre locations (Page 6). Our new partnership with the Department for Communities at Carrickfergus Castle (Page 7) will also help us make the most of the town’s rich history.
Larne Lough Includes Ballycarry and Glynn, Curran and Inver, Islandmagee, Kilwaughter and Whitehead South. We’ve been working hard in the parks of Larne, improving flower beds and shrubberies and opening up dense foliage to let in more natural light. The project at Smiley Park is nearly complete, with work planned to remove the hard surface areas. In Town Park, we have been engaging with the public to find out what people want from the pavilion area. Improvements will soon commence to implement the survey findings. This ties in with a masterplan for all the town’s outdoor spaces. www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Coast Road Includes Cairncastle, Carnlough and Glenarm, Craigyhill, Gardenmore and The Maidens. Carnlough Town Hall is being refurbished as part of a joint funding initiative. The refurbishment has seen the reinstatement of an upstairs in the building. Downstairs, a new state-of-the-art library opened in February and has been retained by Libraries NI. The project was jointly funded by council, Libraries NI and the former Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programme. We’re now making final preparations for the opening of the bright and airy upstairs space. It will provide a central venue to be used by localorganisations for meetings, conferences and a range of community activities.
Knockagh Includes Burleigh Hill, Gortalee, Greenisland, Sunnylands and Woodburn. We’ve just held a community fun day featuring scarecrow making and bee hotel building, to mark the re-opening of Greenisland allotment gardens. Council installed new fencing and gating at the site, and we’re working with The Conservation Volunteers to run a programme of gardening and growing workshops throughout the summer (Page 14). There are three allotment sites across Mid and East Antrim - Greenisland, Larne Allotment Gardens and Eden in Carrickfergus. Find out more at: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/allotments. 5
Need to know
Need to know
News
Call us on our 0300 number
Lighting up for charity We’ve been lighting up our main civic buildings throughout the Borough to mark special dates, occasions and events. The Braid in Ballymena has turned purple for #MakeMayPurple on behalf of Stroke Association NI; and Carrickfergus Castle and the Smiley Buildings in Larne have bathed in blue to mark World Autism Awareness Day and World Down Syndrome Day. We hope that by participating, we are supporting the wider campaigns of these charities and encouraging people to find out more about them and their messages. We are working on an annual programme of dates and colours, so keep an eye out for more displays over the summer months.
Circuit of Ireland showcases Borough to the world The 2016 Circuit of Ireland – one of Northern Ireland’s top five sporting events – passed through Mid and East Antrim in April. After an important refuel stop at Ballymena Showgrounds, the first competitive stage got underway close to Larne. Speaking before the event, Director Bobby Willis said: “We are delighted to work with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. I think it’s fantastic that the wonderful landscape of Mid and East Antrim will now be enjoyed by millions of fans around the world as well as the large numbers who will travel here to enjoy that unique Circuit of Ireland experience.” The live internet TV stream from this year’s event attracted a massive 100,000 viewers in 130 countries, for just short of an amazing two million minutes. Edited highlights of this year’s Circuit of Ireland International Rally can be viewed on www.circuitofireland.net. We are already working with the Circuit of Ireland to progress plans for 2017.
£4m townscape heritage project to start in Carrickfergus The Townscape Heritage Initiative in Carrickfergus is set to get underway this summer. A project officer has been appointed to manage restoration works and oversee initiatives such as educational programmes, living history events and conservation workshops. The project has attracted £1.6million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help reverse the decline of some of the town’s best loved historic buildings. The project plan identifies 21 priority properties within the town wall boundary, including Kelly’s Coal building, the former Murtagh’s Barbers and the jail cells at the Town Hall. With funding committed by Council and expected public
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Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
and private sector investment, the scheme could see up to £4million of investment into derelict and dilapidated properties across the town centre conservation area. Together with Carrickfergus Regeneration Partnership, we believe the project will contribute to the conservation and economic regeneration of the town.
New partnership moves council services into historic castle Our new and innovative partnership with the Department for Communities is set to increase public access to Carrickfergus Castle. The Carrickfergus Visitor Information Centre will relocate to the castle, and Council will operate the castle shop. The DFC will continue to be responsible for and retain revenue from admission fees. It is hoped this partnership – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland - will bring together the experience of Mid and East Antrim tourism staff and the vast heritage skills within the DFC to promote visitor numbers to the area. Carrickfergus Castle has long been at the centre of a power struggle for those wanting to control the important port town. Besieged by the Scots, English, Irish and French at various points throughout its history, it has racked up over 750 years of continuous military occupation. In 1928, it was transferred from the War Department to the Ministry of Finance for preservation as an ancient monument.
Did you know you can contact any of Council’s departments or facilities by ringing our General Enquiries number on 0300 124 5000? There has been some confusion around the cost of 0300 numbers, but OFCOM (the independent regulator for the UK communications industry) introduced UK-wide 0300 numbers as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers. These new numbers allow organisations to have a single national point of contact without consumers having to pay extra to call them. Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 028 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone. Also note that when we call you it will come up as this 0300 124 5000 number.
The castle is currently open to the public seven days a week from 10am to 5pm, with last admissions at 4.30pm. Charges apply. For more information, contact 028 9335 1273.
Temporary closure at Sullatober
£1 car parking specials
Our household recycling centre at Sullatober in Carrickfergus will be closed for two weeks in August to allow for site improvements.
We’re continuing the special £1 for five hours car parking scheme in all of our fee-charging car parks in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.
We’ll be upgrading our equipment and once the improvements are complete, we won’t need to close Sullatober at any stage during a normal day. Services will be temporarily relocated to Larne South Recycling Centre at Island Road Lower, Ballycarry, BT38 9HB. Find out more about our recycling services at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/waste
This move hopes to encourage shoppers and visitors to town centres to extend their stay and make the most of everything our local businesses have to offer. Please note this offer is not available to users of the Parkmobile app.
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
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Going green
Britain in Bloom
Do you have the Borough’s best kept garden? We are on the hunt for the Borough’s best blooms. Whether you are manicuring the perfect front lawn or tending the tallest sunflower, why not enter the Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Awards 2016? General Categories 1. Best Kept Front Garden 2. Best Kept Front Container Garden 3. Best Kept Community Planting Scheme 4. Best Kept Allotment Garden 5. Best Kept Commercial Premises 6. Gardening for Wildlife Award Young People’s (16 and under) Categories 7. Tallest Sunflower Competition 8. Painting Competition 9. Poetry Competition 10. Best School Gardening Project
For tips on growing plants for your garden visit our website: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ inbloom. Entry forms can also be downloaded from here. For further information or to return your entry form contact: Mid & East Antrim in Bloom, Museum & Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DG.
Plastic fantastic for Council’s recycling Everyone in Mid and East Antrim can now recycle a range of plastic waste in either a weekly kerby box or fortnightly blue bin collection.
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Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Putting in this extra effort when sorting your domestic waste reduces the amount of waste going to landfill, which is good for the environment and helps avoid landfill charges. For an up-to-date list of acceptable items and recycling information, visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ recycling
Summer fun for kids Stuck for ideas on how to entertain the kids this summer? Mid and East Antrim has lots of fun-filled activities for children with sports, arts and craft and structured play all on offer to keep them active and engaged. These are just some of the highlights…
More than 1,600 groups participate each year focusing on community action to transform spaces. Judging takes place in the first week of August, with winners being announced in October. We wish both locations all the blooming best.
Entries 1 to 6 must be received by 20 July. Entry 7 must be received by 1 September. Entries 8 to 10 must be received by 30 September. Any resident can apply and entry is free.
Tel. 028 9335 8231 or email: inbloom@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Acceptable items include all plastic food containers such as bottles, yoghurt pots, fruit and vegetable tubs, plant pots and roll on deodorants. Items which you should avoid include toothpaste and DIY silicon tubes, plastic coat hangers, toys and inhalers. You may now also recycle envelopes (with plastic windows removed) in your blue bins and kerbies.
Congratulations to Ahoghill and Whitehead, who have both made it to the RHS Britain in Bloom 2016 UK Finals. The nationwide community gardening awards have been helping transform cities, towns and villages since 1964.
Ballymena Summer Scheme
Larne Summer Scheme
Translink Ulster in Bloom Good luck to the following Mid and East Antrim Translink Ulster in Bloom entrants, who hope to dazzle the judges in late July with their horticultural achievements, environmental responsibility and community participation. Carrickfergus (Large Town) Ballymena (Large Town) Larne (Town) Whitehead (Small Town) Greenisland (Small Town) Ahoghill (Small Town) Cullybackey (Large Village) Eden (Village) Gracehill (Village) Glenarm (Village) Glynn (Village) Clough (Small Village) Millbrook (Small Village)
Location: Larne Leisure Centre Date: Monday 25 July – Friday 5 August Time: 10am – 3pm Age: 7 – 14 years Activities: Sports, arts and crafts, team-building challenges, dance and drama workshops, swimming and much more Price: £30 per week per child (family discounts available)
Location: Seven Towers Leisure Centre Date: Monday 25 July – Friday 5 August Time: 10am – 3pm Age: 6 – 14 years Activities: Multi sports, arts and crafts, team games, dance, swimming and much more Price: £30 per week per child (family discounts available) *Daily places may be available if all weekly slots are not filled. Priority will be given to weekly bookings*
*Daily places may be available if all weekly slots are not filled. Priority will be given to weekly bookings*
Carrickfergus Summer Scheme
For a full list of programmes and for further details on those highlighted above please visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/summerschemes www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Location: Amphitheatre Wellness Centre Date: Monday 18 July – Friday 12 August Time: 10am - 3pm Age: 7 – 14 years Activities: Multi sports, arts and crafts, team games (basketball, football, tag rugby), swimming and much more Price: £30 per week per child (family discounts available) £6.50 per day per child £110 per 4 weeks per child
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Focus on food
Focus on community planning
Working together
Feed the food banks to stop UK hunger In the UK, 13m people live below the poverty line and struggle to provide food for themselves and their families. We support the Trussell Trust’s foodbank scheme to help stop UK hunger and there are foodbanks located throughout the Borough. Local people who need support are identified by a range of care professionals, such as doctors or care assistants, welfare officers, police and Citizen’s Advice Bureau staff. They can issue foodbank vouchers to individuals and families to ensure they get a nutritious and balanced three-day food parcel. People can also approach the foodbanks directly for a referral. Over 90% of the food distributed by the Trussell Trust is donated by the public. They are always seeking in-date, non-perishable food such as UHT milk, rice, pasta sauce, tinned meat, tinned fruit, breakfast cereals, jam and tea bags. Collection points can be found throughout the Borough, but the trust encourages you to check with your local foodbank first to see what supplies they are currently in need of. Foodbanks in Mid and East Antrim: Ballymena Foodbank - Green Pastures, Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, BT42 1AQ. Tel. 028 2565 0123 www.ballymena.foodbank.org.uk Larne Foodbank – Craigyhill Methodist Church, Brustin Brae Road, Larne, BT40 2HS. Tel. 028 2827 7530 / 07443 435404 (emergency) www.larne.foodbank.org.uk Carrickfergus Foodbank – 75 Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 8PS. Tel. 028 93 438 475, www.carrickfergus.foodbank.org.uk Visit www.trusselltrust.org for more information.
BBQ safety If you like nothing better than to bring out the barbeque and cook dinner al fresco - but rarely step into the kitchen the rest of the year – then make sure you read our top tips to avoid serving up an unpleasant bout of food poisoning alongside your burgers. 1. Make sure your food is cooked properly when you barbeque remembering that ‘charred’ isn’t the same as cooked through. 2. Meat is only cooked thoroughly if you cut it down the middle and it’s hot all the way through, the juices run clear and there’s no pink meat. 3. To ensure this happens, you could pre-cook meat in the oven first to speed up the process and then finish it off on the barbeque for full flavour. 4. It takes longer to cook food on disposable barbeques than on a full size one, especially if it has a lid. Be especially careful when using these. 5. To avoid cross-contamination, don’t use the same chopping board as you have used to prepare the meat for cooking. Also keep utensils separate for handling raw meat and cooked meat as well as the salads. 6. Make sure cold food like salads are kept as cold as possible, for as long as possible. If away from home, you can do this by using a cool bag or a box with lots of ice packs until the last minute. 7. Finally, relax and enjoy.
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Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Community planning is one of the new powers which transferred to Council in April 2015. At its heart is the idea that decision-making can be brought closer to the communities and citizens we serve, improving service delivery and achieving better outcomes. We are now working together with other organisations and groups to form an alliance and to develop a long term Community Plan for Mid and East Antrim. These groups include the Northern Trust, the NI Housing Executive, the PSNI, Northern Regional College, the Health and Social Care Trust and community groups such as the Mid and East Antrim Inter-Ethnic Forum. The Community Planning Partnership will focus on issues which that can best be tackled by working together. What’s happened so far? The Strategic Alliance is the key decision making body for Community Planning. Its first meeting was held in May 2016. The Community Panel is one of the key mechanisms through which community and voluntary organisations and residents can provide input to the community planning process. Sitting on this panel are representatives from Ballymena Community Clusters, Carrickfergus Community Forum, Larne Community Development Project, the North and South Antrim Community Networks, Councillors and those representing minority groups. This panel had its first meeting in May 2016.
Members of the Strategic Alliance
Get involved The Task and Finish Working Groups will be the next groups to be established. They will bring together those who have an interest in the following subject areas, and who want to contribute to the discussion: • good health and wellbeing • sustainable jobs • progression in education • community safety and cohesion • tourism potential If you are interested in the Task and Finish Groups please contact: communityplanning@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Want to find out more? Together with Community Places, North Antrim Community Network and South Antrim Community Network, we will be holding three public forum events across the Borough in August 2016. These will give an update on the process so far, explore priorities and hear from local residents. For more information, visit: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/communityplanning
Community Planning already in action Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) is the local older people’s network, set up in 2011 to improve the lives of older people across the Mid and East Antrim Borough. MEAAP, along with key statutory partners including Council, have piloted a ‘Co-Design’ approach to supporting older people to live independently and happily in their own home. Deirdre McCloskey, MEAAP Project Development Officer, said: “The MEAAP Co-Design process is in its infancy, but we have already learnt so much from everyone involved. It is not about us asking questions, it is about us all taking the time to listen to the personal experience of older people in our community. They have guided the conversations around what matters to them. Using this information, we hope all partners can work together to improve the lives of older people in Mid and East Antrim.”
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
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Summer events in our Borough
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Welcome to Mid and East Antrim, where you are closer than you might think to the perfect summer’s day. Dip your toes into our packed programme of summer fun and discover a world of festivals, fairways and foraging adventures... 3
Festivals This year’s local festival season kicks off in ancestral style with the 6th Annual Dalriada Festival from the 16-23 July. The first two days are a ticketed event at Glenarm Castle, reflecting a local heritage that extends back in time to the ancient kingdom of Dal Riada. Highland games, fine foods, live music from soul singer Andrew Strong, the County Antrim Pipe Band Championships and sporting contests such as Strongman will ensure no sporran is left idle. From the 18th, the community of Glenarm will host a programme of sporting events and entertainment to include a duathalon, triathlon, Wipeout event, rowing regatta and mountain bike race. The festival will culminate in a street fair, carnival and fireworks finale on 23 July. More information and tickets are available from www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.
History If the spirit of the highlands is not your thing, well fear not. The Whitehead Festival from the 22 July-6 August headlines with a Mods and Rockers event on 23 July, a food and folk festival on 30 July and a raft race and long distance swim on 6 August. For more information on these and many more planned activities, visit the Whitehead Community Association’s Facebook page or tel. 028 9337 8077. And if that isn’t colourful enough, make sure to visit the Mid and East Antrim Flower Show and Summer Fair in Larne Market Hall on Saturday 20 August. Local gardeners, floral artists and bakers will be on hand to create an extravaganza of flowers, fruit, vegetables and home-baked delights. Live entertainment, craft demonstrations and more will keep all amused.
Have you seen our full events guide? Available from our civic facilities and online at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/events 12
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
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If you like your local history with the smell of musket fire then Castle Green, Carrickfergus, is the place to be on 13 July. Travel back in time and witness the 1689 siege of Carrickfergus Castle by King William III’s forces, led by the Duke of Schomberg against the Jacobite Irish. King William himself landed in Carrickfergus in 1690 before making his way south to the Battle of the Boyne. A full narrative will be available to ensure maximum enjoyment of the event with lots of actors in period costume, musket and rifle-firing and living history encampments. Other events: Ulster Steam Traction Engine Rally 15-16 July Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena. 1916 Impact and Legacy Exhibition 1 July-27 August Carrickfergus Museum.
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Sports The borough won’t be short of sporting talent this summer. The football stars of tomorrow will be in action at the Super Cup NI. The week-long tournament welcomes youth teams from around the world to Northern Ireland between 24-29 July, with matches taking place in Mid and East Antrim at Ballymena, Clough and Kells. The Finals Night spectacular will see the winners crowned at the Ballymena Showgrounds on 29 July. For tickets and more information, visit www.supercupni.com. Golfing fans will not have to travel far to see Europe’s best in action when the Northern Ireland Festival of Golf swings into Galgorm Castle from 2831 July. As part of the European Tour Challenge, the NI Open will attract thousands of golf fans to the borough, with a food festival providing an added bonus to fans of food and fairways alike. For more information and free tickets, visit www.niopen.golf.
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Other Active Events: The Big Splash 16 July Portglenone Marina The Big Splash Triathlon & River Festival is a family-fun packed week long series of events. For full details visit: www.bigsplashriverfest.com Fitness Scavenger Hunt Thursday 21 July, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Carrickfergus Mill Ponds Feeling adventurous? Try our fitness scavenger hunt! Follow the clues and complete all the exercises. Prizes to be won. Meeting at Amphitheatre Wellness Centre. Booking essential. Tel: 028 9335 8342 Bootcamp in the Park Friday 15 July, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, Town Park, Larne Fancy something different? Try this outdoor Bootcamp workout which includes circuit training. Meeting at the bandstand. Booking essential. Tel: 028 2826 2403
1 Dalriada festival 2 Dalriada Festival Fireworks 3 Carrickfergus Castle 4 Ice cream lovers 5 Music time 6 NI Open at Galgorm Manor 7 Super Cup NI 8 Carnival time
Save the date Heretics and Head the Balls
Saturday 3 September The Braid, Ballymena
UK comedy circuit stalwart Neil Dougan attempts to compress over five hundred years of protestant culture into his new one man show. His subjects range from revolutionary reformists to a tribe of Native American Orangemen. May contain strong language and themes of an adult nature. Tickets £10, to book call 028 2563 5077 Strictly ages 16+
Gig ‘n the Bann
8-11 September Portglenone
This cross community music and dance festival has built a reputation for offering a most impressive line-up of top performers spanning traditional, Scottish and folk music circles. www.gignthebann.com
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Volunteering
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9 Pond dipping 10 Carnfunnock Park 11 Biodiversity 12 Teddy bear’s picnic 11
Nature Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and love your local parks. Love Parks Week runs from 1524 July and is jam-packed full of activities to encourage everyone to spend more time in our green spaces. From wildlife walks to Zumba, butterfly hunts, mini beast adventures, a shoreline scavenge, drum circles and boot camps in the park, there is something for everyone. All events are free but some must be booked in advance. Visit www.midandeastantrim.gov. uk/loveparks for more information. If all the summer sun (we live in hope!) is bringing out the gardener in you, then National Allotment Week from 8-14 August will see a range of events taking place at Council’s three allotment sites – Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Greenisland Allotment Gardens and Larne Allotment Gardens situated in Town Parks Larne. Events will range from bug hotel building to veggie BBQs. For more information on allotment gardening in the Borough visit: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ allotments. 14
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Family Fun And if you are really serious about nature, then why not enroll the whole family in a free Biodiversity Summer School. Packed full of practical activities and games, these are an opportunity to learn more about the world around us. For more information, visit www. midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ biodiversity. • 1-5 August Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead • 8-12 August Carnfunnock Country Park, Larne • 15-19 August Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena Finally, end the school holidays with the ever popular Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Shaftesbury Park Carrickfergus on Monday 29 August, featuring an abundance of themed entertainment for all the family, but most especially for pre-schoolers and those in primary school. You know – the most important ones to please!
Carnfunnock Country Park was voted 2015 Family Visitor Attraction of the Year by NI4Kids magazine, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s a whole host of fun in the 191 hectares by the sea, from family fun zones, playparks, a maze, mini golf, archery and a wide variety of special events such as summer concerts, teddy bear’s picnics and hotly contested hop scotch competitions. Visit www.carnfunnock.co.uk for more information.
And there’s more... There’s much more happening in Mid and East Antrim than we have space to share here. For a comprehensive list, pick up a copy of our Events Guide from a Visitor Information Centre or visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/events. We wish you all a happy and healthy summer.
A Council project to mark the impact and legacy of 1916 has been praised for its good practice on using volunteers. The three-year Heritage Lottery Fund project – On the Brink: The Politics of Conflict 1914-1916 – has appointed and trained a cast of local volunteer tour guides to help bring the project to life. The volunteers took part in training to enable the new guides to lead their own tours around local sites of remembrance. Joanne Doherty, a history teacher at St Louis’ Grammar School in Ballymena and project volunteer, said the experience was really beneficial. “The training helped develop the required skills and knowledge to deliver guided interpretative tours. This included participating in WWI research skills workshops enabling us to generate research on local sites of remembrance associated with war and revolution. We also received support with interpretative script writing which helped us to structure our research into a site narrative.
Hugh McAnally, a Ballymena Catholic, was one example. He served with the Connaught Rangers in the 16th Irish Division and is buried in Aughnahoy cemetery, Portglenone. He died of war wounds in March 1916.” As a result of the project, Council’s volunteer policy has been endorsed by Volunteer Now - the lead organisation in the sector - who have included resources developed on this project in their Toolkit on Civic Leadership.
The 1916 Impact and Legacy exhibition opens at Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre on 1 July and will be on display until 27 August. 1916 Impact and Legacy workshops will also be delivered with schools and community groups until January 2017.
“I was particularly interested in investigating the role played in World War One by local nationalists. Private
A Lasting Tribute
Terms & Co
nditions
1. Applicat ions for trees will only the supply and installatio be approved n of commem between Mid after a suita orative benc ble available and East Antr site has been hes or im Borough Council and agreed 2. Whilst the the named cost applicant. responsibility and installation of the bench or tree of the appl icant, bench or tree, shall be the unless it beco we agree to fund the repair. If a benc main mes, in our view, damaged tenance of the h or tree is restored for in such a state beyond econ safe use, we of disrepair omic will remove obliged to that it cann fund a repla the bench ot be cement. or tree and shall not be 3. We acce pt no responsi bility for the will report any theft of any incident or benc theft to the h or tree save Police Serv that we 4. The benc ice of Nort hern Ireland. h or tree will be placed in owned park a Mid and East , open spac e or cemeter Antrim Boro sculptures, y. No othe etc.) will be r adornment ugh Council allowed to adornment be placed with (flowers, will be prom ptly removed the and disposed bench or tree. Any 5. We rese of by the Cou rve the right ncil. to use our discretion to refuse any 6. All prop application. osed inscriptio ns for changes mus t be approved commemorative plaq ues and any to our lega by us. The l oblig subsequent wording of inscriptions good relations ations with regards to the prom is . Any inscriptio otion of equa subject offensive or n containing lity and inappropriate wording whic will not be h we deem considered to be for approval .
We’ve launched a special booklet outlining our memorial tree and commemorative bench programme. This touching initiative allows members of the public and organisations to recognise and honour others through a lasting tribute. A tree or bench can be purchased and dedicated to that special person, which is then installed and maintained within a local park or cemetery. Parks & Open Spaces Servi Museum & ce Civic 11 Antrim Stree Centre Carrickfergus t BT38 7DG T: 028 9335 8230 E: parks@mid andeastantrim. www.mida ndeastantrim.g gov.uk ov.uk/cem eteries
For more information, visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/cemeteries or pick up a leaflet from any of our civic facilities. 002406 MEA
Bench Tree
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Commemor ative Bench and Tree Programm e
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Volunteers lead on WW1 project
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antrim.gov.u
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Health & safety How do I recognise that someone has had a heart attack?
When the heart stops, blood supply to the brain also stops. The victim will collapse unconscious and will be unresponsive. Breathing also stops, although it may take a few minutes to stop completely. For the first few minutes the victim may take noisy, infrequent or gasping breaths. The key features of cardiac arrest are therefore someone who is unconscious, unresponsive and NOT BREATHING NORMALLY. If you have any doubt call 999 immediately and start CPR.
CPR
What is CPR?
How to save a life In the UK, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests happen out of hospital each year. Less than one in ten of these people survive. To maximise the chance of survival, the Resuscitation Council UK recommend following a Chain of Survival. Here’s how:
What is defibrillation? An automated external defibrillator (AED) provides a high energy electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm. They are easy to use, compact, portable and very effective. At the time of print, there are 21 defibrillators located at various council sites throughout the Borough (see list) – with more available at community groups, sports clubs and work places not directly linked to council.
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Remember • They are designed to be used by ordinary people even if they are not trained in CPR. Machines will guide the operator through the process, so don’t be afraid to use them. • They are safe. They will not allow a shock to be given unless the heart’s rhythm requires it. • Defibrillation within 3–5 min of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50–70%.
What happens after a cardiac arrest?
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CPR refers to the basic first aid procedures that can be used to keep someone alive until the emergency medical services can get to the scene. The most important skills are chest compressions to pump blood around the body, and rescue breaths to provide oxygen. For untrained bystanders or those unwilling to give rescue breaths, compressiononly CPR (hands only) is a useful alternative. Effective CPR more than doubles the chance of someone surviving a cardiac arrest. Training in CPR is provided by many organisations, including St John’s Ambulance, The British Red Cross and the British Heart Foundation.
We work alongside our community planning partners to make the borough a safe place to live. Here, we look at CPR and the current locations of defibrillators, which we hope to increase in the near future.
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When the heart is restarted after a cardiac arrest, recovery is not immediate. Admission to hospital is always required. Provided good CPR has been performed while the heart has stopped and defibrillation has been carried out promptly, the outlook is very good with most patients making an excellent recovery.
To find out more, visit www.resus.org.uk/information-for-the-public. Thanks to Resuscitation Council UK for permission to reproduce this information.
Pocket CPR for smartphones Recognise the situation as a cardiac arrest and call 999 for help.
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Initiate CPR to buy time.
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
Perform defibrillation as soon as possible to restart the heart.
Post resuscitation care to restore quality of life.
The British Heart Foundation has created a PocketCPR app to explain how to carry out Hands-only CPR on someone in cardiac arrest. It also allows you to practise by making use of the accelerometer in your smartphone. This means the phone can measure the rate and depth of compressions, telling you if you need to do the compressions faster or slower, or whether you should push harder or softer. Download it for free at: www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/nation-of-lifesavers/hands-only-cpr/cpr-app
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Defibrillator locations Council Personnel Only Accessed Defibrillator The Braid Ardeevin Seven Towers Leisure Centre The People’s Park Ballymena Showgrounds Civic Centre, Carrickfergus Amphitheatre, Carrickfergus Carrickfergus Marina Taylor’s Avenue Football Stadium Smiley Building Larne Leisure Centre Carnfunnock Country Park The Gobbins Public Accessed Defibrillator Ahoghill Community Centre The Washbasin Ahoghill** Galgorm Community Centre Harryville Community Centre Ballykeel Community Centre Broughshane Community Centre Cullybackey Community Centre **The Washbasin in Ahoghill is owned by Green Pastures church and is the location for a PAD. This unit was donated by council, and the monitoring and upkeep is managed by council. Portglenone Community Rescue has two defibrillators and service the Portglenone Marina/Bann Area.
Commendation for Hearty Lives Carrickfergus Our Hearty Lives Carrickfergus project has been awarded a commendation at the Municipal Journal Awards in the ‘Innovation in Partnership’ category. The project is a £250,000 threeyear project funded by the British Heart Foundation and managed by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Its aim is to target communities in Carrickfergus, Whitehead and Greenisland, supporting the development of new and effective ways to prevent obesity, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve heart health. To date over 5700 people have benefited from project interventions and over 900 health professionals have engaged with the project.
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Grants scheme
Business
Top tendering tips 1. Let us know you are there If we don’t know about you, we cannot invite you to quote. For example, if we are looking for a graphic designer to do a small job with a quick turnaround, we will invite quotes from our database of graphic designers. You want to make sure you are on that database!
Grant scheme student set for Big Apple
2. Register with eTendersNI From August 2016, all our tenders will be advertised online through www.etendersni. gov.uk exclusively. This site is already used by central government. It is vital that businesses register now and familiarise themselves with the site if you want to see what opportunities will be available. We also advertise on the Belfast Telegraph’s tender section.
A student from Mid and East Antrim is heading to the United Nations in New York to talk about sustainable development with world leaders, thanks to an award from our Grants Support Scheme. Emma Simpson is taking part in the prestigious Merit360 project, a two-week programme run by World Merit - a charity that seeks to inspire young people to make a positive difference both locally and internationally. The 20-year-old from Ballymena, who is currently studying in England, said: “I hope that through my participation, more awareness can be spread to young people in Mid and East Antrim Borough to become engaged with society on both a local and global scale. Some of the sustainable development goals such as health, economic growth, and
3. Ask questions
Doing business with Council climate action are just as applicable to Northern Ireland as they are to anywhere else in the world.” The Merit360 project will bring together 360 young people from every country in the world. They will discuss some of the most complex issues of the 21st Century with world leaders, before being given the chance to speak at UN Headquarters to share strategies with the UN Secretary General. “Groups are focusing on one of 17 goals and will work towards an action plan that can be implemented in communities across the world
that can really change peoples’ lives,” Emma explained. “As a representative of Northern Ireland at the conference, not only will I be standing up for my local community, I will also be an ambassador for the programme upon its completion, bringing these opportunities back to Mid and East Antrim Borough and to Northern Ireland.” Emma will also be joining Mid and East Antrim Borough’s Community Planning process as a representative of younger people.
What is the grants support scheme? Emma applied to the Grants Support Scheme under the Civic Representation Category. The aim of the Grants Support Scheme is to provide financial support through various grants categories for organisers of events as well as community groups, sports clubs, arts groups in the Borough undertaking projects which are of benefit to all of the citizens of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
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Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
The type of grants available are towards community-based projects including: • Setting up of new groups • Equipment • Public liability insurance • Audit of community group accounts • Community events • Civic representation
Applications are made online using Council’s Funding Hub by going to www.midandeastantrim.gov/ community/grants. Here you will also find further information on funding levels and eligibility criteria.
When it comes to doing business with us, our procurement process must be fair and transparent. We are committed to ensuring we make this process as easy and clear as possible, especially for small local businesses. We spend around £40million a year on procuring services and products, ranging from construction contracts to stationery supplies, vehicle maintenance to horticultural services – and much more in between. We are hugely aware of the impact this can have on the local economy, and we are keen to ensure local businesses in the Borough are wellinformed and engaged with the procurement process. As a local authority, we need to comply with legislation such as the European Procurement Directives. These require Council to ensure fairness, openness and transparency throughout the procurement process. We also want to deliver value for money to all our ratepayers.
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
For all tenders with a value above £30,000, we must award the contract to the most competitive tenderer, regardless of geographical location. For tenders with a value below £30,000, we can direct this towards the local business sector if it provides best value for all.
We are happy to meet with suppliers to run through processes and to give guidance where appropriate. You don’t need to wait for a workshop or seminar.
4. Fill it out Make sure you read all documentation in full and follow all instructions. If you forget to fill out a section, we have to disqualify the tender. If there is something you do not understand, you can contact the person named in the tender for clarification. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
5. Get feedback If you don’t win a tender, you are able to receive feedback from Council as to why you weren’t successful on this occasion. This may be helpful and can enable you to make a positive application in the future.
6. Attend events We host and attend a number of workshops, seminars and Meet the Buyer events throughout the year. These are good opportunities to network with other businesses, and as we encourage interaction, you may often hear a point being raised that you hadn’t thought of. We are planning our next workshops for Autumn 2016.
Of course, best value does not always equate to lowest initial price, and we therefore must take into consideration quality, running costs and maintenance costs as well as resource capacity and ability of a company to deliver on time, to budget and to specification.
7. Consider partnerships
With all this in mind, here are some top tips for success in the tender process.
In the future, we will be producing a Selling to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council guide. We will also be updating our website and upgrading it to allow suppliers to register online. Look out for these and, in the meantime, if you have any queries, please contact:
For more information, visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ procurement
We encourage businesses to look at partnering or sub-contracting aspects of a large project. This can open up opportunities for smaller businesses and help them resource the right skillset to deliver large tenders at the request of Council.
8. Find out more
procurement@midandeastantrim. gov.uk.
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Your Council
Find out more about your local councillors at midandeastantrim.gov.uk/councillors
40 Councillors, elected in 7 District Electoral Areas, working together to create a better future for all in Mid and East Antrim Borough.
Carrick Castle Ballymena
Cllr Donna Anderson UKIP
Ald John Carson DUP
Cllr Reuben Glover DUP
Cllr James Henry Independent
Cllr Declan O’Loan SDLP
cllr.anderson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07541 830 589
ald.carson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07891 338 220
cllr.glover@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07733 100 803
cllr.jhenry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 028 2565 2456
cllr.oloan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07764 220 533
Cllr Billy Ashe DUP
Cllr James Brown MBE Independent
Cllr Cheryl Johnston DUP
Cllr Noel Jordan UKIP
Cllr John Stewart UUP
cllr.ashe@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07773 095 133
07939 634 369
cllr.johnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07545 151 992
cllr.jordan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07775 633 391
cllr.stewart@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07823 442 161
Cllr James McKeown Sinn Féin
Ald Maureen Morrow UUP
Ald Gerardine Mulvenna Alliance
Cllr Ruth Wilson TUV
Cllr Angela Smyth DUP
cllr.mckeown@ midandeastantrim.org 07719 335 416
ald.morrow@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07765 146 013
ald.mulvenna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07970 896 367
cllr.rwilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07771 965 206
cllr.smyth@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07896 657 723
Ald May Beattie DUP
Cllr Lynn McClurg DUP
Cllr Lindsay Millar UUP
Cllr Paul Sinclair Alliance
Cllr Andrew Wilson UUP
ald.beattie@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07939 634 348
cllr.mcclurg@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07794 602 517
cllr.millar@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07540 399 685
cllr.sinclair@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07779 895 013
cllr.awilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07414 478 808
Cllr Robert Logan Alliance
Ald Gregg McKeen DUP
Cllr Mark McKinty UUP
Cllr Paul Reid DUP
Cllr Andy P Wilson UUP
cllr.logan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07565 168 191
ald.mckeen@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07944 641 251
cllr.mckinty@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07771 925 546
cllr.reid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07713 511 407
cllr.apwilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07754 963 615
Coast Road
Bannside
Cllr Stephen Nicholl UUP cllr.snicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07967 621 603
Cllr Audrey Wales MBE Mayor DUP cllr.wales@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07899 985 110
Cllr Timothy Gaston TUV
Cllr Patrice Hardy Sinn Féin
Cllr Billy Henry DUP
cllr.gaston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07514 213 186
cllr.hardy@ midandeastantrim.org 07935 228 722
cllr.bhenry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07599 400 857
Ald Stewart McDonald TUV
Ald William McNeilly UUP
Ald Tommy Nicholl MBE DUP
ald.mcdonald@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07793 848 107
ald.mcneilly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07746 157 674
ald.tnicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07970 012 520
Knockagh
Braid
Cllr Beth Adger MBE DUP
Ald Robin Cherry MBE UUP
cllr.adger@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07976 533 483
ald.cherry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07785 752 712
Larne Lough
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Cllr Beth Clyde DUP
Cllr Brian Collins TUV
Ald Sam Hanna DUP
Cllr Paul Maguire Sinn Féin
Cllr William McCaughey DUP
cllr.clyde@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07724 906 855
cllr.collins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07745 220 564
ald.hanna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07710 402 693
cllr.maguire@ midandeastantrim.org 07857 912 097
cllr.mccaughey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07739 875 626
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
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Feedback & survey
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1. How do you find out about news and services provided by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council? Tick all that apply.
6. When I phone the council, (please tick which you prefer): I want to speak directly to a person
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Connections magazine delivered to your door
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8. What did you think of this magazine?
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All entries received will be entered into a prize draw for a family pass to The Gobbins tourism experience at Islandmagee. The only cliff path of its kind in Europe, with its amazing bridges suspended above the Irish Sea and a tunnel where you are below sea level, in this unique adventure you feel the wind in your hair, taste the sea salt on your lips and see some of the varied wildlife in this ever changing environment. In May alone, the attraction welcomed nearly 6,000 visitors with half of these coming from outside of Northern Ireland.
To find out more or to book your own tickets to the award-winning Gobbins, visit: www.thegobbinscliffpath.com
17 or under
35 to 44
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Council website
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26 to 34
Leaflets or flyers Noticeboards in our venues (posters) Public meetings Radio or TV Social media (Facebook, Twitter…) Telephone Text message (SMS) Other, please state
3. How well informed do you feel about Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and our services? Tick all that apply. Very well informed Fairly well informed
Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2016
If you would like to be entered into the draw for The Gobbins family pass, please enter your name and contact details here. Name: Address:
Not very well informed Not well informed at all
4. I have access to the Internet Yes No
5. The new main Council phone number is 0300 124 5000. I was aware of this number I wasn’t aware of this number
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If you have any other comments you want to add, please use this space:
Local papers
The Gobbins cliff path requires a reasonable level of fitness and there is a height restriction (minimum 1.2m/4ft). Booking is essential. If you are unable to avail of The Gobbins family pass due to accessibility or unsuitability of the attraction, you will be offered an alternative prize. Redevelopment of the this project was made possible thanks to £7.5m of funding from the EU’s INTERREG IVA programme, managed by the SEUPB and administered by the North East Partnership; Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the Ulster Garden Villages organisation.
Council stands at local events
Face to face
CUT OUT AND KEEP
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this issue of Connections magazine. As a Council, we want to make sure our communications are as effective as possible. To do that, we need to know how you feel about our communications and how you would like to communicate with us. Please complete the survey on the opposite page.
10. Please indicate your age:
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Email: Tel: Please return your completed surveys to Communications Department, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB or scan and email communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk You can also leave the completed survey into any council venue. Survey closes 31 August 2016. 23
Tel: 0300 1245 000 www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk