Ballymena Infocus Mag - Ballymena Borough Council

inside 5
News
Pulling Their Weight
National award
for Seven Towers
6 in
Special feature
Festival in Town
What’s happening
October
14 Josephine
Personality profile
Bloomin’ Marvellous
Gardening tips from
Johnston
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
Refurbished Town Hall and New Cultural Complex
The excitement
is building!
www.ballymena.gov.uk | 028 2566 0300

2
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
3 Back to the Future
4 Crime Watch
5 Staff Pull their Weight
5 On the Buses
mayor’s
foreword
6 Arts and Parts
8 The Grass is Greener
9 Refuse Collection
10 Council Services
11 Council Members
12 Focus on Kids
13 It All Adds Up at ecos
14 Bloomin’ Marvellous
16 Don’t Miss the Boat!
17 Ballymena Ladies Score!
18 Focus on Finances
19 Keeping the Peace
Ballymena Borough Council
Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB
Tel: 028 2566 0300
Email: council.reception@ballymena.gov.uk
©2004 Ballymena Borough Council
Design: www.whitenoisestudios.com
The excitement is certainly
building in Ballymena!
Several major new building
works are now underway within
the Borough, including the new
town hall and cultural complex,
and the new community centre
at Ballymena north.
Having been involved in the
pre-planning of the new town
hall complex for over 10
years, I was delighted to be
on site in June, along with
the representatives from the
key funding organisations, to
cut the first turf. Local
building contractors the
Patton Group have wasted no
time, in the intervening
months, in getting the site
cleared and laying
foundations for the new state
of the art museum and
cultural complex. You can
read about progress on page
3, and hear how local schools
have gone ‘back to the
future’ by selecting items for
inclusion in a time capsule
which will be housed within
the fabric of the building.
Hopefully, it will provide
those opening it in 100 years
time with a very clear
impression of what life was
like in 2005!
Everyone living and working
within the region will be
interested in the latest crime
statistics to be revealed by
PSNI. The number of
domestic burglaries has fallen
by almost a third in the past
12 months, and the rate of
drugs seizures has increased.
The article on page 4 outlines
how local police responded
directly to your concerns and
the steps they have taken to
tackle burglaries and drug
related crimes.
Reading through other
articles in this edition of In
Focus, it strikes me that there
are so many positive
developments within the area
and plenty more opportunities
presenting themselves. An
extension in Peace 11 funding
means that over £400,000 is
available for investment in
community projects. Other
stories - “Creativity Uncut”,
“The Grass is Greener” and
“Ballymena Ladies Score” -
highlight the emerging talent
and creativity in this region.
Finally, I should like to
congratulate all staff at the
Seven Towers Leisure Centre.
Not only did they secure an
internationally recognised
quality accreditation, but they
also received the highest score
in Northern Ireland, and were
ranked within the top 20 in
the UK. Well done all!
Councillor Tommy Nicholl
Mayor of Ballymena
Brad Diamond (3) gets his own building work underway at ecos.
The Mayor and representatives from the various funding organisations cut the first turf

3
The Council’s Director of Development, Leisure and Cultural Services Ronnie McBride and Cultural Services Manager William Young pictured in front of plans for the new complex.
building for the future
Service, are already in place
and the building’s sturdy
metal framework will be
hoisted into position over
the autumn months.
The Council’s Cultural
Services Manager William
Young commented,
“It has been over ten years
since plans for a new town
hall were first discussed
within Council, and it has
taken a lot of preparation
and planning over the
intervening years to get the
project to this stage.
Contributions from the
Heritage Lottery Fund and
Arts Council have been
critical in making the project
possible. Without doubt, this
flagship project is the most
ambitious to have been
undertaken in mid-Antrim
for a number of years, and
on completion in 2008 will
make a huge contribution to
the cultural and social life of
the Borough and beyond.
We are delighted with the
progress Pattons have made
since the first turf was cut
in June.”
The refurbishment of
Ballymena’s Town Hall and
the development of the
neighbouring site into a new
purpose built museum and
cultural centre is underway.
The foundations for the multi
- million project, which is
funded by the Council, the
Heritage Lottery Fund, the
Arts Council Lottery Fund,
and Environment and Heritage
“Without doubt, this flagship
project is the most ambitious to
have been undertaken in mid-
Antrim for a number of years”
back to the future
Ballymena school children
were encouraged recently to
go “back to the future” by
suggesting items for inclusion
in a time capsule which will
be opened by residents in 100
years time.
The competition, which was
open to all school children
living in the Borough, was
organised by Ballymena
Council to coincide with
restoration work beginning on
the town hall. It aimed to
identify ten items for inclusion
in a time capsule, which will
provide future generations with
a snapshot of life in ‘our town,
in our time’. The capsule will
be placed in the fabric of the
new Museum, Arts, Tourism
and Civic complex and will not
be opened again until 2108.
This will be the second time
capsule to be housed within
the building. In 1924, the then
Duke and Duchess of York
(later King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth) visited
Ballymena as part of their
honeymoon tour. They laid the
foundation stone of Ballymena
Town Hall. Under the
foundation stone (which will
remain in position during
refurbishment work) lies items
and documents which
represented life in Ballymena
at the beginning of the
20th century.
Primary 5 pupils at Gracehill Primary School show William Young of Ballymena Borough Council and their teacher Barbara Bristow some of the items they believe reflect life in
“our town, in our time”. Pictured (L-R) Philip Campbell, Jordan Hood, Philip Calderwood, Sarah McElhinny and Rebecca Hayes – all aged 9 years.

4
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
police respond to
public concerns
spot’ areas have been identified
within the Borough and
residents within the ‘hot spots’
have received a leaflet detailing
the nature of risk and measures
they should take to secure their
property. The level of patrols
operating within the areas has
been increased and bicycle
patrols introduced.
Concerted efforts to
counteract the misuse of drugs
have had significant results for
Ballymena DCU. Drug seizures
in the Borough amounted to
£2,519,785 in the last
financial year, representing
26.5% of all drugs seized in
Northern Ireland.
The number of domestic
burglaries in Ballymena has
fallen by almost a third during
the past 12 months.
According to the official
figures for police performance
in the 2004/2005 financial
year, the rate of reported
burglaries in the region has
reduced by 31.67% from the
previous year’s figures.
The report also noted a
significant increase in the
number of drug seizures in
the Borough (drugs with a
street value in excess of
£2.5m have been seized over
the past 12 months).
Councillor Declan O'Loan,
chairman of Ballymena District
Policing Partnership explained
that PSNI had responded
directly to public concerns,
“This is an excellent example
of how the community and
police can work in partnership.
These significant developments
can be attributed to local
people highlighting the key
areas for special attention.
“This is an excellent example of
how the community and police
can work in partnership. These
significant developments can be
attributed to local people”
“Our research into policing in
May 2003 and 2004 revealed
that domestic burglary and
drug related crimes were the
issues of most concern to
people living and working in
the Borough. The local PSNI
commander chose to address
these concerns by setting these
crimes as key targets within
the 2004 Local Policing Plan.”
“The local police are to be
commended for the significant
efforts they have made to
address the concerns of local
residents, and tackle these
problems head on.”
A number of measures were
introduced in a bid to combat
domestic burglary. PSNI used
the powers they have in law to
target known offenders in an
attempt to stop re-offending.
Using information on the
incidence of burglaries, ‘hot
Councillor O'Loan added,
“Despite the successes of the
local police, ongoing measures
must be implemented to tackle
crime and the DPP will continue
to monitor their performance
and raise issues on behalf of the
residents, visitors and workers
in the Borough. Anyone who
has been a victim of crime
knows that it is not easy to live
with the fear which results from
the experience.”
Anyone interested in finding
out more about the work of
the DPP or local policing
targets can attend one of the
DPP public meetings. The
District Commander and senior
police officers are available to
answer questions on crime and
policing in the area. Further
information can be obtained
from DPP Manager Peter
Greenshields on tel. 028
25660441 or email
peter.greenshields@ballymena.
gov.uk.

5
Seven Towers manager Stephen Holgate and life guard Michelle Corry show how they ‘squashed’ the competition!
staff pull their weight
Staff at Ballymena’s Seven
Towers Leisure Centre were
celebrating recently following
the announcement that the
centre has not only been
awarded an internationally
recognised quality
accreditation; but that it also
received the highest score in
Northern Ireland, and was
ranked within the top 20 in
the UK.
The accreditation known
as Quest is the main
quality award for the
sport and leisure services
industry and is supported by
all four sports councils
within the UK (including
Sports Council for Northern
Ireland).
To be awarded Quest, the
facility must operate with a
“sharp” customer focus and
introduce procedures, work
instructions, documentation,
staff training which ensure
the delivery of a consistently
high standard of service to
every visitor. Centres are
assessed in four areas –
facilities operation, customer
relations, staff training as
well as service development
and review. These are subject
to a programme of
continuous monitoring,
via external / internal quality
audits, customer feedback,
mystery customer visits and
so forth.
Leisure Centre manager,
Stephen Holgate was
delighted with the
announcement,
“To be awarded Quest is
a major accolade in itself,
but to come first in Northern
Ireland has been a double
celebration. We are fortunate
to have a fantastic facility
in Ballymena, and the team
work very hard to ensure
that our customers have
a good experience,
and I am delighted that
both our facilities and
people have been recognised
in this way.”
“To be awarded Quest is a
major accolade in itself, but to
come first in Northern Ireland
has been a double celebration”.
on the buses
The bus journey to and from
school is set to become a
safer and more pleasant
experience for hundreds of
local pupils thanks to a new
multi-agency task force.
The ‘Safe School Transport
Group’ has been established to
ensure that safety is a priority
and that children’s journeys are
comfortable, and free of trouble
and stress. This action group,
which operates under the
umbrella of Ballymena
Community Safety Partnership,
includes representatives from
PSNI, Northern Eastern
Education and Library Board,
local school principals,
Department of Education,
Translink and Childline.
The group will oversee all
aspects of public travel to
schools, from the issuing of
bus passes, and the
enforcement of bus pass
regulations to the siting of bus
stops throughout the district.
It will also work with transport
providers to ensure that
vehicles and driver training are
of a sufficiently high standard.
The behaviour of pupils on
public transport is also going to
be carefully monitored.
Audrey Wales, Chairperson
of Ballymena Community
Safety Partnership explained,
“The physical and emotional
safety of children travelling
to and from school will be a
priority for the Safe School
Transport Group. We want
to ensure there is a structure
in place that has the
interests of the pupils at
heart, and they know that
any concerns they have will
be dealt with sympathetically
and professionally.”
“One of the issues we look at
is how pupils behave towards
each other and towards other
members of the public. We
are conscious that some pupils
have been bullied on their
journey to and from school
and that some pupils have
been causing a nuisance to
members of the public.
We want pupils to feel that
there are responsible people
they can turn to if they
face problems.”
Anyone interested in hearing
more about the initiative
should contact Karen Moore,
Community Safety
Co-ordinator on 028 25 633941.

6
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
Diane Wilson in rehearsal
festival comes
to town
With musical melody, hard
hitting drama, comedy,
dance, storytelling and art
on the agenda, the 18th
annual Ballymena Arts
Festival will see the Borough
awash with creativity.
Running from Wednesday 28th
September to Saturday 15th
October, this year’s festival
programme has expanded to
include some remarkable new
home grown acts as well as
world class performers. Festival
organiser Rosalind Lowry
outlined some of the highlights;
“The festival continues to grow
in stature year on year. Previous
festivals have succeeded in
attracting artists and audiences
from all over Northern Ireland
and this year is no exception.
There really is something to suit
everyone from young children
to the elderly, locals to visitors
and art-buffs to those just after
a bit of entertainment.
“The 2005 festival features
a number of events to
showcase local talent
including ‘In the Round’ a
singer/songwriter gala
highlighting five of Northern
Ireland’s most aspiring artists
Down group ‘The Low
Country Boys’ will have
audience’s toe tapping and
hand clapping on Thursday
13th October. “The Boys”
specialise in old time gospel -
hillbilly style played on banjo,
guitar and mandolin. Also on
the bill is Ballymena born
Diane Wilson. Diane has
developed an unusual talent –
she plays the saw. Once
heard, it’s not forgotten!”
“The festival continues to grow
in stature year on year”

7
“The 2005 festival features a
number of events to showcase
local talent.”
Bob on the landscape: painter Bob Margrain
“Comedian Patrick Kielty will
be displaying his own unique
brand of humour in his stand
up show on Wednesday 12th
October in the Leisure Centre.
“For younger audiences, ‘One
Step Behind’, an anti-bullying
play designed specifically for
primary schools will be staged
on Wednesday 28th September
in the Leisure Centre, Studio
Theatre. Older children can
benefit from the anti-bullying
play ‘Scream’ which has
completed six sell out tours of
the UK and will be staged in
the Leisure Centre, Studio
Theatre on Friday 7th October.
“Piping enthusiasts can enjoy
the pomp and ceremony as
the pipers from Ireland and
further a field compete for the
coveted title of Piper of the
Year on Saturday 1st October
in the Adair Arms Hotel.”
“And celebrating the music of
Gilbert and Sullivan will be the
Yorkshire based, Savoyard
Appreciation Society, with a
dedicated evening of song
featuring some of the well
known choruses. I would
encourage everyone to take a
look through this year’s
programme – there will be
something in it for you!”
For further information on
the festival programme and
tickets for all events, contact
the Festival Box Office on:
02825 638 494.
ART IN THE PARK
Landscape artist Bob
Margrain aims to broaden
our horizons with an
exhibition of abstract
landscapes in the People’s
Park. His work which
includes scenes from
around the world will be
on display in the Park’s
Pavilion, as part of
Ballymena Arts Festival,
between 28 September
and 15 October. Admission
is free.
THE BIG DRAW
Pens and pencils are
posed in preparation ready
for ‘The Big Draw’ on
Saturday 15th October in
People’s Park. As part of
the National Campaign for
Drawing initiated by
Artists David Hockney and
Quentin Blake, children in
the Borough can take part
in live nationwide drawing
workshop. With
professional artists on
hand to assist, the
theme for the session will
be “things that swim,
things that run and
things that fly”. So get
those pencils and
imaginations sharpened
for the occasion.
Genna Reid (8), Arts Officer Rosalind Lowry and Kelly Reid (10) have crayons at the ready for the Big Draw.

8
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
From wasteland to wildflowers: Environmental Health Officer Donna Carey, Fergal Magee (12), Patrick Graffin (6) and James Magee (9) get down to grass roots.
“The local school children are to
be commended for all their hard
work. Willow and wildflowers
now grow on what was
previously wasteland ground”
“With a track record of
illegal dumping and fly
tipping at the Loup Road site
and no clearly identifiable
owner of the land,
responsibility for the annual
clean up process fell with
Ballymena Borough Council.
“The problem escalated in
recent years with waste
ranging from dead animals,
household furniture and farm
waste to commercial and
industrial rubbish.
As dumping got progressively
worse the costs associated
with the clean up process
rose to approximately £7,000
each year.”
To halt the illegal dumping of
rubbish a number of
measures were introduced.
A remote digital video
recording system was
installed. Site surveillance
enabled Ballymena Borough
Council to identify offenders
and take action against
these individuals.
The site was then cleared
and a planting scheme was
organised in conjunction
with local primary schools,
elected representatives
and the Environmental
Health Department.
Donna continued, “The local
school children are to be
commended for all their hard
work. Willow and
wildflowers now grow on
what was previously
wasteland ground. In the
absence of dumping, this
new ecosystem is thriving
and the local community can
now enjoy the natural beauty
of the area.”
loup road:
where the grass
is greener…
If you thought the grass was
looking greener at the Loup
Road site near Crosskeys
than it has for some time –
you’d be right!
For the site which was
previously wasteland has
been transformed into a
haven of wildflowers
and woodland.
Ballymena Borough Council’s
Senior Environmental
Health Officer, Donna
Carey explained how the
transformation has
taken place,
Sisters Catherine and Hannah Carey (aged 4 and 2) get to grips with nature at the Loup Road site.

9
Three year old Brad Diamond at the helm.
don’t miss the
boat!
Local people are making
waves at ecos.
“Since a flotilla of remote
controlled boats ‘docked’ in
a new location at the ecos
centre lake this summer, we
have seen both young and
old alike battling it out on
the water”, ecos manager
Alastair Walker explained.
“The lake provides greater
scope for manoeuvring,
steering and racing boats
and we have been
astounded by the
competitive streak people
seem to develop as soon as
they get hold of the remote
control. It is hard to
suppress. Fathers and sons
have been having their own
miniature competitions and
we’ve had quite a few
people popping along on
their lunch break to hone
their skills.”
For further information on
the remote controlled boats
and other facilities at ecos
contact the centre on
02825 664400.
refuse collection 2005 / 2006
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS : 2005/2006
Monday 26th December 05 (Boxing Day) Collection on Saturday 24th December 05
Tuesday 27th December 05
Collection as normal
Monday 2nd January 06 Collection on Saturday 31st December 05
Friday 17th March 06 (St. Patrick’s Day)
Friday 14th April 06 (Good Friday)
Collection as normal
Collection as normal
Monday 17th April 06 (Easter Monday) Collection on Saturday 15th April 06
Tuesday 18th April 06 (Easter Tuesday)
Monday 1st May 06 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 29th May 06 (Bank Holiday)
Collection as normal
Collection as normal
Collection as normal
Wednesday 12th July 06 Collection on Wednesday 19th July 06
Thursday 13th July 06* Collection on Thursday 20th July 06
Monday 28th August 06 (Bank Holiday)
Collection as normal
Monday 25th December 06 (Christmas Day) Collection on Saturday 23rd December 06
Tuesday December 06* (Boxing Day) Collection on Tuesday 2nd 26th January 07
Monday 1st January 07 (New Year’s Day) Collection on Saturday 30th December 06
Please present wheeled bins for 7.45am on the day of collection
* Extra bags and boxes lifted only on this date

10
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
council services
To help direct you to the relevant department, a list of Council Services and telephone numbers are provided below.
A
Abandoned Vehicles 028 2566 0376
Access to Countryside 028 2566 4406
Ahoghill Community Centre Bookings 028 2563 3938
Air Pollution 028 2566 0373
Alcohol Free Zones 028 2566 0376
Arts & Events 028 2563 9853
Arthur Cottage (seasonal) 028 2588 0781
B
Ballymena Strategy Partnership 028 2565 0444
Best Value 028 2566 0319
Bins (purchase) 028 2566 0332
Births, Deaths & Marriage 028 2566 0352
Bowling Green Bookings 028 2563 8510
Building Control 028 2566 0409
Bus Shelters 028 2566 0408
C
Cemetery (Ballymena) 028 2565 6026
Chief Executive’s Office 028 2566 0309
Children’s Play Areas 028 2564 3081
Civic & Ceremonial 028 2566 0320
Collection of large household items 028 2566 0466
Community Services 028 2563 3934
Consumer Safety 028 2566 0372
Committee Administration 028 2566 0304/307
Committee Administration 028 2566 0306/318
Community Safety 028 2563 3941
Corporate Complaints 0845 130 1930
Corporate Planning 028 2566 0319
Cultural Services 028 2566 0320
Customer Care 028 2566 0308
D
Dangerous Structures 028 2566 0403
District Policing Partnership 028 2566 0441
Dog Fouling 028 2566 0373
Dogs lost/found/dangerous 028 2566 0376
Dog Warden 028 2566 0373
Dog Licence 028 2566 0332
E
Economic Development 028 2563 3930
Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre 028 2566 4400
Eco Schools 028 2566 4401
Entertainment Licence 028 2566 0406
Environment EMS/Local Agenda 21 028 2566 0420
Environmental Health 028 2566 0372
Equality Scheme 028 2566 0319
F
Festivals 028 2563 9853
Finance 028 2566 0329
Fly Posting 028 2566 0373
Food Complaint 028 2566 0376
Food Safety 028 2566 0376
Freedom of Information 028 2566 0319
G
Good Relations 028 2566 0447
Graffiti Removal 028 2566 0373
Grants 028 2566 0422
Grave Purchase 028 2566 0352
Grounds Maintenance 028 2565 2082
H
Health & Safety (enforcement) 028 2566 0376
Health & Safety (Council Services) 028 2566 0364
I
Illegal Dumping 028 2566 0373
L
Licensing of Premises for Marriages 028 2566 0406
M
Mayor’s Office 028 2566 0309
Members Room 028 2566 0302
Mid Antrim Museum Service 028 2565 1705
Museum, Wellington Court 028 2564 2166
N
Noise Control 028 2566 0372
North Eastern Group Building Control 028 2563 3480
Northern Group Systems 028 2566 5800
Nursery 028 2565 2082
O
Operational Services 028 2566 0466
P
People’s Park Pavilion 028 2564 3081
Personnel & Services 028 2566 0361
Pest Control Enquiries 028 2566 0373
Pest Control (for treatments) 028 2566 5818
Petroleum Licences 028 2566 0406
Planning Schedules 028 2566 0304/307
Playgrounds 028 2564 3081
Playing Field Bookings 028 2563 8510
Policy Unit 028 2566 0448
Postal Numbering 028 2566 0408
Property Certificates 028 2566 0428
Public Relations & Marketing 028 2566 0320
Public Toilets 028 2566 0467
R
Recycling 028 2566 0372
Refuse Collection 028 2566 0466
Registrar’s Office 028 2566 0352
S
Seven Towers Leisure Centre 028 2564 1427
Showgrounds Office 028 2563 8510
Society Lotteries 028 2566 0372
Special Events 028 2563 9853
Sports Development 028 2563 9854
Street Cleansing 028 2566 0466
Street Name Plates 028 2566 0408
Street Trading Licence 028 2566 0372
T
Tenders 028 2566 0350
Tennis Court Bookings 028 2564 3081
Tourism Development 028 2563 8494
Tourist Information 028 2563 8494
Town Centre Management 028 2563 3930
W
Waste Management 028 2566 0391
Council Headquarters – ‘Ardeevin’, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1AB. T: Main Switchboard: 028 2566 0300 F: 028 2566 0400 W: www.ballymena.gov.uk

11
council members
Ballymena North covers the following district electoral areas: Academy, Ardeevin,
Ballyloughan, Dunclug, Fair Green, Galgorm and Park.
Ballymena North Councillors:
Ballymena South covers the following district electoral areas: Ballee, Ballykeel,
Castle Demesne, Harryville, Kells, Moat and Summerfield.
Ballymena South Councillors:
Ald James Alexander
DUP
T: 028 2564 9887
M: 07969 804751
E: aldjima@aol.com
Cllr Neil Armstrong
UUP
T: 028 2565 4061
M: 07074 311075
E: cllrneillarmstrong@hotmail.com
Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Adger
DUP
M1: 07732 365042
M2: 07976 533483
E: cr.adger@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Martin Clarke
DUP
T: 028 2564 2318
E: ald.clarke@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr John Carson
DUP
T: 028 2566 2948
M: 07891 338220
E: cr.carson@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr James Henry
Independent
T: 028 2565 2456
E: james.henry@btconnect.co.uk
Ald PJ McAvoy
SDLP
T: 028 2564 2256
M: 07715 004616
E: ald.mcavoy@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr James Currie MBE
UUP
T: 028 2589 8147
E: ald.currie@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Mrs Deirdre Nelson
DUP
M: 07917 547981
E: deirdrenel2@aol.com
Ald Hubert Nicholl
DUP
T: 028 9447 2274
M: 07803 235402
E: h.nicholl@tiscali.co.uk
Cllr Joseph E McKernan
UUP
T: 028 2564 4685
M: 07801 680410
E: jemckernan@hotmail.com
Cllr Maurice T Mills
DUP
T: 028 2564 3924
M: 07740 758551
E: cr.mills@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Declan O'Loan
SDLP
T: 028 2564 9636
M: 07764 220533
E: declanoloan@yahoo.com
Cllr David Tweed
DUP
M: 07909 900264
E: cr.tweed@ballymena.gov.uk
Bannside covers the following district electoral areas: Ahoghill, Cullybackey,
Dunminning, Grange and Portglenone.
Bannside Councillors:
Braid covers the following district electoral areas: Broughshane, Craigywarren,
Glenravel, Glenwhirry and Slemish.
Braid Councillors:
Cllr Ms Monica Digney
SF
M: 07817 068362
E: digney_monica@hotmail.com
Cllr Samuel Gaston
DUP
T: 028 2568 5451
M: 07711 075639
E: samuel@gastonville.freeserve.co.uk
Ald Roy Gillespie
DUP
T: 028 2587 1580
M: 07776 268859
E: ald.gillespie@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Robin Cherry MBE
UUP
T: 028 2568 5535
M: 07785 752712
E: robertcherry@ukf.net
Cllr Paul Frew
DUP
T: 028 2586 2354
M: 07752 361202
E: cr.frew@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Margaret Gribben
SDLP
T: 028 2175 8356
E: cr.gribben@ballymena.gov.uk
Ald William McNeilly
UUP
T: 028 9447 2655
E: cr.mcneilly@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Tommy Nicholl
DUP
M: 07970 012520
E: crt.nicholl@ballymena.gov.uk
Ald Samuel Hanna
DUP
T: 028 2568 5571
M: 07710 402693
E: ald.hanna@ballymena.gov.uk
Cllr Robin Stirling
DUP
T: 028 2564 2991
E: cr.stirling@ballymena.gov.uk

12
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
ecokids
Here are some games just for the kids! Why not answer the Litter and Recycling Crossword or
discover the hidden message in the ecos Word Grid. Good luck!
Litter and Recycling Crossword
1 2
4 5 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Across
1: Something we can do with paper,
glass and aluminium cans other than
throw them away.
4: A form of energy that means we can
switch on our lights, television etc.
8: Thin coat of metal that covers
steel cans.
10: Paper comes from these. They are tall
and also give us oxygen.
11: Fizzy drinks cans are made from this.
12: Something we can do with our
garden and vegetable waste to make
new soil.
Down
1: There are three things we should do:
Reduce, R.......... and Recycle.
2: Something that fizzy drinks come in
and is made from aluminium.
5: Something found thrown on the
streets and along the sides of country
roads. It makes the place look messy.
6: To make something smaller, also see
1 down.
7: Something we should protect,
it belongs to us all.
9: The cans baked beans come in are
made from this.
Work out the answers to the clues and write them in
the boxes. Use the numbers to put each letter in its
correct place in the grid at the bottom.
Part of a flower
6 3 2 8
Ravens are this colour
It weaves a web
It jumps and croaks
Birds lay eggs in these
9 10 1
12 7 5
11
How many Gonks
can you count
on this page?
no. of Gonks: twelve
Do you want to help
the environment and wildlife?
We all have to do our little bit.
Think of what you
could do!
4 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1) Main threats to wetlands are:
(a) Drainage
(b) Pollution
(c) Migrating birds
Wildlife Safari Quiz: Underline all relevant answers:
3) Frogs and Newts belong to the class:
(a) Reptiles
(b) Fish
(c) Amphibians
5) Examples of evergreen trees are:
(a) Oak
(b) Scots Pine
(c) Silver Birch
2) Diving beetles eat:
(a) Pondweed
(b) Tadpoles
(c) Larvae
4) Main threats to woodlands are:
(a) Leaf cutting weevils
(b) Cutting down trees
(c) Not replanting a native tree
6) What do trees need to photosynthesise
or make their own food:
(a) Sunlight (b) Water
(c) Knives and forks (d) Carbon Dioxide

13
Amy O’Kane (7) and Anna Delargey (8) were among the first to ‘experiment’ at ecos using the new activity sheets.
Science and Technology,
Geography, History
and Mathematics.
They have been developed
in conjunction with Maurice
Todd, formerly of the North
Eastern Education and
Library Board.
it all adds up at ecos
Education + ecos adds up to a
fun day out thanks to a new
set of interactive activity
sheets available at the centre.
Launched in Spring 2005 in
preparation for the
introduction of the new
curriculum requirements in
Autumn 2005, the sheets are
designed for key stage 2 and
upper key stage 1 pupils,
and focus on four topics -
ecos acting manager Alastair
Walker explained; “The work
sheets are tailor made and
curriculum-based, and aim to
highlight the importance of
protecting and managing ‘The
World Around Us’. They are
designed to stimulate young
people of all abilities, and
encourage them to think about
environmental issues and the
role they can play in protecting
the earth for future generations.”
School groups should contact
ecos for further details.
ecos +
education
= entertaining!
welcome to
Ballymena
A warm welcome awaits all
in Ballymena!
A new information pack has
been developed to help new
minority ethnic communities to
the Borough settle into the
area and make their first few
weeks/months as comfortable
and stress free as possible.
Aptly entitled “Welcome to
Ballymena”, the easily
understood publication has
been produced by Ballymena
Inter-Agency Ethnic Support
Group and aims to provide
people relocating to the
district with as much essential
information as possible. It
includes details on the
emergency services, shopping
and leisure facilities and a full
range of public services.
The project’s main funder
was Antrim and Ballymena
Local Health and Social Care
Group (a Committee of the
Northern Health and Social
Services Board), with
additional funding coming
from Ballymena Borough
Council’s Good Relations
Programme and O’Kane
Poultry Limited.
Eileen Chan-Hu, Ethnic
Minorities Co-ordinator with
the Ballymena Community
Forum explained,
“As anyone who has moved
to a new area or country
will appreciate, it can be a
very stressful time and if
English is not your first
language, it becomes all the
more daunting. We hope
that this new pack will
prove a useful resource, and
will enable those arriving in
the area to find their way
around unfamiliar systems
and services and to feel
truly welcomed.“
Councillor Tommy Nicholl,
Mayor of Ballymena added,
“We are delighted to
welcome new people to the
Borough, and we hope that
this pack will assist new
residents to settle into the
community and become
involved in the life and spirit
of Ballymena.”
“Welcome to Ballymena”
is available in a range of
languages including
English, Polish, Romanian,
Czech and Russian. It can
be obtained from Ballymena
Community Forum, Ballymena
Jobcentre, Ballymena Borough
Council, Ballymena Central
Library and the Citizens’
Advice Bureau.
“This pack will assist new
residents to settle into the
community and become
involved in the life and spirit
of Ballymena.”

14
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
Flower power: gardener Josephine Johnston
bloomin’ marvellous
Flowers beds, boxes and
hanging baskets – Ballymena
is widely acknowledged for
boasting one of the most
beautiful and bountiful
displays of blooms in
Northern Ireland.
In Focus caught up with
Council Gardener Josephine
Johnston to see how she goes
about adding a little colour to
our lives!
“I love what I do. I wouldn’t
be here 13 years if I didn’t, but
like all jobs there is a down
side, and the early morning
starts are one of the least
attractive aspects of this line of
work.” Josephine explained
when we caught up with her at
5.30am (!) at the Council
nursery in Market Street.
“The alarm goes off at
4.30am each morning and by
5.15am I’m on my way to the
depot. In the summer months
one of the key duties of the
Parks Department is watering
each of the hanging baskets in
the Borough. There are 140 in
Ballymena town centre alone
so it takes approximately three
hours using a van with a
water browser to get round
them all. We start early to
avoid early morning traffic
and ensure that we don’t
contribute to rush
hour congestion.”
Josephine continued,
“The Council invests heavily in
flowers and bedding plants for
around the Borough. Over
65,850 summer bedding plants
are planted each year to
ensure that the public areas
are looking pretty and
presentable. These plants are
spread across 66 flowerbeds,
95 tubs, 11 window boxes, 36
planters and 450 hanging
baskets. Regular watering and
feeding is essential. We water
each basket or bed at least
three times a week to ensure
that they will continue to
thrive in the warmer weather.
So we’ve plenty to keep us
occupied during the spring and
summer months.”
With watering duties
complete by 8.30am,
Josephine has a quick break
before loading the van with
the necessary tools for the
next duty of the day –
planting. Gardening on this
scale is very physically
demanding, Josephine
explained, “To ensure we get
the healthiest blooms we
begin with careful planning
and ground preparation…
which is hard manual work.
We begin by rotivating the
ground to loosen the soil,
the edges are then reformed,
the soil is raked, levelled and
fertiliser applied. The bed is
lightly raked once again to
ensure the fertiliser is evenly

15
“If we can brighten someone’s day
- that’s better than
any award”.
distributed. Once all this
has been done, we
begin planting.”
Busy Lizzies, Begonias, Dahlias
tend to be the most common
components for roundabouts
and flower beds throughout
the Borough, mainly because
of their dense colourful
blooms. “These plants offer
such a huge range of colours,
shapes and sizes that they are
perfect for our planting needs.
They provide soft and pretty
covering which is ideal for
display purposes but also
hardy enough to withstand
a lot of passing trade
and traffic!”
“We work to a pre-arranged
design, and to ensure the
flowerbed will be visually
attractive, with a range of
complementary colours,
different species are planted in
rotation. Given the large
volume of bedding required, we
often have to make several trips
back and forth to the nursery to
transport all the plants to the
site. On average it takes about
three hours to complete a large
bed or roundabout.”
“Many people believe that
once the bed or container is
planted our work is done, but
we return regularly to water,
feed and weed as well as adjust
and relocate plants. All flower
beds undergo a general ‘tidy
up’ several times a month.”
Back at the nursery, Josephine
and the rest of the Parks
Department team have a quick
break for lunch before
preparing seedlings, bulbs and
plants for the next season.
We start to prepare seed trays
for autumn and winter planting
as early as May. These are
lightly watered, placed on
propagation benches and kept
covered. Plants are constantly
monitored, fed and watered
and re-potted as and when
they outgrow their containers.”
“By 3.45pm we carry out our
final inspections of the
greenhouses to ensure there is
adequate ventilation and
conduct some last minute
watering before closing up for
the day at 4.30pm.”
With several major awards
under their belt, including
Amenity Council Best Kept Large
Town award (on three
occasions) and a Bronze Award
in the Britain in Bloom
competition, Josephine and her
colleagues in the Parks
Department prove the old adage
“you reap what you sow”.
JOSEPHINE’S TOP TIP
You can save yourself hours of exhausting work this autumn
raking leaves that fall on your lawn, by simply running over
them with a mower. It will not only collect them in a fraction
of the time but it will also chop them up finely so they’ll rot
quicker on the compost heap.
AUTUMN CHECK LIST
EARLY
• Bring in tender plants under cover before the first frosts
• Plant or move evergreens and conifers while the soil is
still warm
• Plant spring bedding, such as wallflowers and polyanthus
• Plant spring bulbs
MID
• Tidy perennials, remove dead stems but leave seed-heads
for birds to eat
• Plant deciduous trees, shrubs and climbers
• Lay new lawns, as long as soil is not too wet
• Batten down the hatches, ensuring nothing can blow about
and cause damage on windy nights
LATE
• Plant shrubs, roses and hedging plants sold with bare roots
• Clear up fallen leaves and compost them
• Plant tulips and hyacinths
• Move deciduous trees and shrubs once they have lost
their leaves
• Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs and roses

16
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
creativity uncut
What do Dunclug, Doury Rd,
Harryville and Ballykeel have
in common?
Answer: talented teenagers
with a passion for art.
A pool of creative talent was
revealed recently through a
cross community project
involving young people from
the four areas.
Local teenagers took part in
the Mobile Creative Arts
Project, led by North Eastern
Education & Library Board in
conjunction with the
community art team
Wheelworks. The scheme
which was funded by the
NIO Community Safety Unit,
through Ballymena
Community Safety
Partnership, included weekly
workshops in video
production, CD compilation,
photography and ceramics.
The project culminated with
a prestigious showcase event
in the Des Allen Suite at the
Showgrounds where an
audience of invited guests
had an opportunity to view
the films, listen to the
compilations and admire
art work.
Tommy Dallas, Area Youth
Officer with the North
Eastern Education & Library
Board outlined the value of
this pilot project: “This has
been a wonderful experience
for all involved. There is a
wealth of young talent living
among us here in the
various communities of
Ballymena, and it has been
very interesting to see
young people working
together and building
relationships while
producing really
remarkable pieces of
art work.”
The project promoters aim
to build on the relationships
created through the arts
project by carrying out
further positive work around
community safety in the
coming months.
“This has been a wonderful
experience for all involved.
There is a wealth of young
talent living among us”.
halloween spooktacular
Be prepared for some
ghostly goings on along
side the usual chills
and thrills at this year’s
Halloween event
at ecos.
The fright fest organised by
Ballymena Borough Council
will offer a vast range of
children’s entertainment
including fire jugglers,
face painting, stilt walking
skeletons, Q97.2
megablaster, samba band
as well as spooky story
tellers and fireworks.
The event will take place on
28 October and run from
6pm until 9pm.
CONTACT DETAILS
Further details please
contact ecos centre on:
Tel: 028 2566 4400
Witch way to ecos? ecos Marketing Officer Patrica McMullan warns of ghostly goings-on at the centre on Friday 29 October.

17
Wendy Young and Erin McCann bend it like Beckham.
Ballymena ladies
shoot and score!
Club Grant Aid Scheme, which
has allowed them to invest in a
higher level of coaching and
develop football for girls at
mini-soccer level.
"Women's football is rapidly
growing in Northern Ireland
with the Belfast teams reaping
the majority of benefits,” Club
chairperson, Faye Greene
explained. “This financial
assistance will ensure the
continued development for the
club and future of women's
football in the Borough. This
season we have brought in a
highly experienced coach and
the girls are already reaping the
rewards. Both the senior and
youth teams have had extremely
successful seasons and we have
the silverware to prove it!”
Havelin, Clare Timoney,
Wendy Young, Alison Smyth at
Under 19's and Sarah
McFadden at senior level.”
Women's football is the fastest
growing sport in Europe with
many teams already playing on
a professional basis.
Ballymena’s Ladies FC plays in
the Northern Ireland Women's
Football Association (NIWFA)
Premier League; the top league
for women's football in
Northern Ireland. The season
runs from May until September
with cup matches included
within the season’s fixtures.
The club is always on the
lookout for any new talent.
Any girls interested in playing
football should contact Mark
Kane on 078 1690 1266.
Ballymena’s award winning
ladies football club have
scored again – only this time
it’s a financial goal!
Ballymena United All Stars
Ladies Football Club recently
netted a grant of £1500
through the Council’s Sports
Club Secretary, Nicky
Stevenson added, "In addition
to the coaching, the grant has
allowed us to purchase vital
equipment, which has helped
the individuals and the club
achieve major successes this
season. Five of our players
represent the Borough at
international level; Roisin
Almost £120k has been
approved by Ballymena
Borough Council to invest in
sports clubs over the past two
years. For further information
on this or any other Council
Grant Schemes, contact the
Grants Administration Officer
on 028 2566 0422 or email
grants.officer@ballymena.gov.uk.
football’s brighter future
Ballymena United will be in
the spotlight thanks to new
flood lights in the centre
arena installed by Ballymena
Borough Council with
funding assistance from
the Northern Ireland
Sports Council.
The impressive new lighting
system offers three levels of
brightness, which will allow
Showground staff to select the
appropriate setting for each
event. For example, matches
and competitions will require a
greater level of lighting than
training sessions, with
maximum illumination required
for television purposes.
The existing lights and
columns have been removed
from the main arena to
Showgrounds pitch 3 to
facilitate a greater number
of evening matches and
training sessions.
Hopefully the improved centre
arena lighting will improve the
performance of Ballymena
United next season !!!!!

18
The
Official Newsletter of
Ballymena Borough Council
Winter 2005
Issue 2
money
matters
Financial information
The Council's gross income for 2005/2006 financial year is
estimated at £16.5 million.
Nearly £11 million (59% of Council expenditure) will be raised
during the 2005/2006 financial year from domestic and nondomestic
rates. The remaining £5.7million is generated through a
combination of sales, fees & grants provided by the DOE.
Ballymena Rates
Residents in the Ballymena Borough are paying one of the lower
levels of domestic rates in Northern Ireland. Recent figures show
that Ballymena's rates at 129.1 pence per £ are the sixth lowest
out of the 26 Council areas.
Only Fermanagh, Magherafelt, Castlereagh, Dungannon and
Coleraine strike lower rates while Moyle, Belfast and Armagh
are among the highest. The Northern Ireland average is
£146.63pence.
Ongoing capital expenditure
schemes
For both the New Museum & Arts Complex and Ballymena
North Integrated Community Facilities, the Council has
attracted significant levels of third party funding from sources
outside of the Ballymena area including Heritage Lottery Fund,
Arts Lottery Fund, International Fund for Ireland, Sports
Lottery Claims and Department of Enterprise,
Tradeand Investment.
A COMPARISON WITH 2005/2006 RATES ELSEWHERE IN THE PROVINCE IS AS FOLLOWS
Fermanagh 112.80 5.35 4.97
The charts below provide an overview of the major sources of
Council income and the major elements of Council expenditure.
TOTAL
INCOME
£ %
rates income 9,862,494 65
sales, fees, etc 4,725,049 29
DOE general grants 1,042,253 6
NET EXPENDITURE
£16,564,352
100%
£ %
leisure services 5,896,733 59
environmental services 2,955,134 29
other services 1,221,569 12
TOTAL £10,073,436 100%
TOTAL
LEISURE SERVICES NET EXPENDITURE
£ %
recreation and sport 3,409,169 58
tourism 1,365,350 23
community services 816,883 14
culture and heritage 305,331 5
£5,896,733
100%
1,000,000
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES NET EXPENDITURE
£ %
waste collection & disposal 500,00 1,334,210 45
environmental health 712,914 24
street cleansing 652,220 22
0
public conveniences 183,006 6
building control 57,224 2
burial grounds -500,000 9,537 0
minor works 6,003 0.2
TOTAL £2,995,134 100%
-1,00,000
Magherafelt
116.00
5.38
4.84
Castlereagh
Dungannon
Coleraine
118.79
128.38
128.50
Ballymena 129.10 8.75 7.27
HIGHEST
Moyle
Belfast
Armagh
AVERAGE
PER £
168.30
116.15
161.60
PER £
3.99
7.50
6.00
11.76
11.30
For all Councils 146.63 6.85 7.27
6.96
LOWEST PER £ +/-
%
+/-
+/-
3.48
6.20
4.90
7.51
7.30
4.50
%
1,000,000
500,00
0
-500,000
-1,00,000
OTHER SERVICES NET EXPENDITURE
£ %
councillors allowance 442,979 36
central administration 409,496 34
economic development 387,936 32
central services to the public 455,583 37
trading services 474,425 -38.8
TOTAL £1,221,569 100%

19
Grand designs: Bill Matthews, Des Stewart, Ruth Orr, Stanley Johnston and Sandy Spence of the Cullybackey Improvement Association.
keeping the peace
1,000,000
500,00
1,000,000
500,00
those with greatest potential to
0
succeed could be identified and
guidance provided.
-500,000
She commented, “The extension
is very much focussed on
building reconciliation and this
should be at the forefront of
project planning. We hope that
the pre-application process will
help us to sift out the projects
that are truly Peace initiatives.
-1,00,000
Environmental Improvement
Committee who are
redeveloping the police station
site into a community resource
centre. Funding has resulted in
jobs and training opportunities,
encouraged people to be more
mobile and access services and
facilities in the Borough and
importantly provided support
to those most vulnerable in
the community”.
Over £440,000 is destined
for projects within the Borough
following 1,000,000 a two year extension
to European funding via the
peace II programme.
500,00
This welcome development
comes 0as a direct result of
sustained and determined
lobbying for continued support
-500,000
to N.Ireland. Ballymena Strategy
Partnership, the body responsible
for -1,00,000 the administration of
0
-500,000
-1,00,000
Measure 3.1 locally believes the
funding is vital to sustain
momentum in the Borough.
Pre-applications for funding will
be invited in August/September
with those that demonstrate a
close fit with the criteria invited
to make full applications in
October. Majella McAlister of
Ballymena Strategy Partnership
urged potential applicants to
submit pre-applications so that
“Some of the great successes
of the current programme have
undoubtedly been peoplecentred
projects. These have
come in different shapes and
sizes such as Ballymena Family
& Addicts Support Group
providing services for those
affected by drug & alcohol
abuse to Cullybackey
“If you have an idea, don’t sit
back, this may be the last
Peace II funding on this scale
in N.Ireland!”, she added.
Further information can be
obtained from Majella
McAlister on 028 256 60444
or refer to the central website
at www.eugrants.org
“Some of the great successes of
the current programme have
undoubtedly been peoplecentred
projects”.
making your mark!
Flags, murals, emblems and
graffiti – where do you stand
on territory markings? Are
you proud of them, prepared
to put up with them, or
simply, fed up with them?
The Council is eager to hear
the views of local residents
on these and other
community relations issues.
A widespread telephone survey
will take place over coming
months. Conducted by market
research company Millward
Brown Ulster on behalf of
Ballymena Borough Council,
the study will also explore local
people’s opinions on
sectarianism, racism and the
Council’s standing within the
community. The results of this
confidential survey will be used
to shape a revised Good
Relations Plan for the Borough.
Council chief executive
Mervyn Rankin explained the
importance of the survey and
the new strategy,
“Promoting and encouraging
good relations across the
Borough is at the core of
Council business and its
Good Relations Strategy.
I would encourage anyone
who is contacted to
participate in this
confidential study. The
results will help us to combat
sectarianism, racism and anti
social behaviour in the
future, and develop a
community which respects
diversity, and promotes
equality for all.”
For further information
contact the Policy Unit at
Ballymena Borough Council
on 028 25660300.
“Promoting and encouraging good
relations across the Borough is at
the core of Council business”.

Ballymena arts festival
2005 listings
Event:
One Step Behind
(Anti-bullying play for primary schools)
Date:
Wed 28th September
Venue: Leisure Centre –
Studio Theatre
Admission: Via schools
Event:
Willie Drennan with
Eull Dunlop
Date:
Sat 1st October,
8.00pm
Venue: Leisure Centre –
Studio Theatre
Admission: £4.00
Event:
Scream
(Anti-bullying play for secondary schools)
Date:
Wed 28th September
Venue: Leisure Centre –
Studio Theatre
Admission: Via schools
Event: In The Round -
Singer/Songwriter
Gala
Date:
Fri 7th October, 8.00pm
Venue: Leisure Centre –
Studio Theatre
Admission: £5.00
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Admission:
Gilbert & Sullivan Evening
Sun 9th October, 8.00pm
Gracehill Primary
School
£7.00 adults
£4.00 children
Event:
Patrick Kielty Live
Stand up Show
Date:
Wed 12th October,
8.00pm
Venue: Leisure Centre
Admission: £16.50
(suitable for adults only)
Event:
The Low Country Boys
With Tony Collins and
Diane Wilson on the Saw
Date:
Thurs 13th October
Venue: Leisure Centre –
Studio Theatre
Admission: £7.00
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Admission:
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Admission:
Irish Night Hosted by the
Ballymena Committee
Cancer Research NI
Fri 14th October,
8.00pm
Leighinmohr Hotel
£7.00 adults
£4.00 children
Ballymena Inter Ethnic
Forum presents
Gala International
Sat 15th October,
8.00pm
Leisure Centre
£3.00 adults
£1.00 concession
Event:
The Big Draw
(Childrens Drawing Day)
Date:
Sat 15th October,
10am – 12noon
Venue: The People’s Park
Admission: £3.00
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Admission:
Event:
Dates:
Venue:
Admission:
Piper of the Year
Sat 1st October,
11am – 11pm
Adair Arms Hotel
£5.00 adult
£2.00 concession
Art Exhibition by
Bob Margrain
1 – 14 October
The People’s Park
Free
Festival Box Office: Tourist Information Centre,
76 Church Street, Ballymena Tel. 028 25 638 494
Opening Hours:
9.00am – 5.00pm ( Mon – Fri) 10.00am – 4.00pm ( Sat)
Special Festival Offer – Festival Pass £40, entitles holders
to entry to all festival events.
Concessionary Tickets: Available for some events to students, under 18’s,
unemployed, OAP’s and Disability Allowance Card holders.