DOUBLE CELEBRATION AS VOLUNTEER GROUPS RECEIVE QUEEN’S AWARD

Two groups from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough are celebrating after receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services (QAVS), the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

Whiteabbey Community Group and River Bann and Lough Neagh Association were presented with the prestigious accolade by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell KStJ.

The QAVS was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and is known as the MBE for voluntary groups. These awards held extra significance on these occasion as they will be amongst the last certificates signed by ‘Elizabeth R’.

Whiteabbey Community Group received the coveted award for 32 years of community work and projects, while the River Bann and Lough Neagh Association were awarded for their conservation and preservation work on Rams Island. A special presentation ceremony took place for Whiteabbey in Mossley Mill and the Old Courthouse in Antrim hosted River Bann and Lough Neagh. Meanwhile, Monkstown Community Association is also set to receive the QAVS at a ceremony in early 2023.

A World Of Opportunity For Over 350 Pupils

Over 350 secondary school students have been inspired to consider careers in science and engineering after attending the prestigious ‘Science Summer School’ event in Ballymena, which took place in November. The project, which was co-founded by Professor Brian Cox CBE, saw pupils with an interest in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) descend on The Braid in Ballymena for an enjoyable and challenging daytime programme of activities including interactive workshops, and TED presentations. Hosted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, this is the first time this event has been held in Northern Ireland. The Summer Science School event was sponsored by Ryobi, Almac, IPC, Northern Regional College, Randox, Terumo Blood and Cell and Michelin Development.

Visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ ScienceSummerSchool