Ballymena Times (Ballymena, Northern Ireland) back issues from April 2008:
Tour of the 'Fourth' aim for Ryan.
Apr 01, 2008 ... RYAN Connor has set his sights on writing his own chapter in the P&O Tour of the North record books. The Ahoghill cyclist matched Englishman Stan Brittain's feat of three victories in the prestigious event over the Easter period. Now the 23-year-old won't stop until ...
United await fate after Distillery game chaos.
Apr 01, 2008 ... BALLYMENA United expect to hear their punishment soon after the unsavoury scenes that marred the Easter Saturday match with Lisburn Distillery. IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells has already promised a "thorough investigation" into the ugly scenes, which saw missiles - including ...
Concert offers 'hope' to Ugandan girls.
Apr 01, 2008 ... It will take place on Saturday, 12 April, doors will open at 7.15pm and admission is free. Explaining more, West Church's Musical Director, Sam Murray, said: "It will be a concert led by myself and my friend, Stewart McIlrath from Hill Street Baptist." "The programme ...
Brown bins on their way.
Apr 01, 2008 ... THE weekly bin collection as we know it will come to an end this week when new brown bins start to arrive at homes across Ballymena. The brown bins will be collected on an alternate weekly basis with black landfill bins and can be used to recycle most garden waste items ...
Footballer Kirsty set for US experience.
Apr 01, 2008 ... A BALLYMENA teenager is looking forward to an exciting challenge of playing university football in America. Kirsty McGuckin, who plays for Ballymena United Allstars, will join the highly-rated Westerwinds team, having signed a letter of intent to join Western Illinois ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Yellow Woods Challenge.
Apr 01, 2008 ... PUPILS from across Ballymena took part in the annual Yellow Woods recycling challenge. Photographs taken ...
EXCLUSIVE: Greyhound case 'worst I've seen' - dog warden.
Apr 01, 2008 ... BALLYMENA'S dog warden has described the condition of an emaciated greyhound as the worst he has seen in the job. The abandoned greyhound/lurcher was discovered on Monday after apparently being dumped. "It was discovered at Lyleshill Road, out near the Sheddings, ...
PICTURE GALLERY:Rosspark Bridal Fair.
Apr 01, 2008 ... Love was in the air at the Rosspark Hotel as they hosted a Bridal Fair. View pictures ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Braid Hunt Ball.
Apr 01, 2008 ... MEMBERS of the Braid Draghounds held their annual Hunt Ball at the Leighinmohr House Hotel last week. View pictures ...
Cast on with Debbie in Cullybackey.
Apr 02, 2008 ... INTERNATIONAL designer Debbie Abrahams will be at the Glen Gallery in Cullybackey next week to host three one-day workshops. On Tuesday, April 13 the theme of Debbie's workshop will cover successful knitting and professional finishing. This workshop is suitable for ...
Paisley to talk business in Ballymena.
Apr 02, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry has secured another notable 'first' with the news that First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Ian Paisley MP MLA, will be a keynote speaker for a business lunch open to all Ballymena business people. The lunch, being sponsored by NIE ...
Braid features Crebilly Legend.
Apr 02, 2008 ... THE myths and folklore surrounding Crebilly Castle, Ballymena, are explored in a new temporary exhibition at Northern Ireland's newest museum and arts venue. Taking place at The Braid in Ballymena, the exhibition entitled 'Legends in the Landscape' explores some of Mid Antrim's ...
Crebilly man dies of injuries after Donegal car inferno.
Apr 07, 2008 ... A BALLYMENA man has died one week after sustaining serious burns in a car fire near Donegal. David Samuel Maybin, 27, from Crebilly Road had been visiting the Malin area of innishowen when the incident happened. Though the exact details of what took place are unclear, ...
Liam Neeson flies home for family funeral.
Apr 07, 2008 ... LIAM Neeson returned home at the weekend under the saddest of circumstances. The star of stage and screen travelled back to his native borough to attend the funeral on Saturday of his aunt, Peggy McCann, the sister of his later father, Barney. Dressed casually but ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Broughshane Youth Easter event.
Apr 07, 2008 ... Sumo suits and bouncy castles were the order of the day at Broughshane Youth Centre Easter Project. View pictures ...
Tennis coaching course set to begin.
Apr 08, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Lawn Tennis Club's popular adult coaching for beginners and improvers courses begin next week. The four-evening course runs on April 15, 17, 23 and 24, from 7-8pm each night. Cost is [pounds sterling]25 for club members and [pounds sterling]30 for ...
Local swimmers excel in Ulster Youth Championships.
Apr 08, 2008 ... SEVERAL Ballymena swimmers acquitted themselves well against tough opposition in the recent Ulster Youth Championships at the Grove Leisure Centre. On Friday Matthew McDonnell, Ross Little and Chris Best all achieved personal best (pb) times in the 200 I.M. events. ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Ballymena under-16s' tour to Sale.
Apr 08, 2008 ... BALLYMENA under-16s recently travelled to Sale, with 19 boys and five adults making the trip. After taking the HSS to Scotland, the party travelled by coach to Sale's training facility at Carrington, where a member of the Sale training staff took the boys for an enjoyable Skills ...
King listing could lead to United 'clearout'.
Apr 08, 2008 ... TOMMY Wright has hinted that the transfer-listing of Stuart King may lead to a mini 'clearout' at Ballymena United this summer. Wright has made the winger available to other clubs as he plans for next season after a rollercoaster campaign this time around. "I have ...
Ballymena man on hunger strike.
Apr 08, 2008 ... A Ballymena man has pledged to continue a hunger-strike in protest against the union Unite, despite suffering from a serious heart condition. Gordon McNeill from Ballymena together with Madan Gupta began their hunger strike on the roof of the entrance to Transport House in ...
Rescued dog savaged by bull-terrier.
Apr 08, 2008 ... A DOG which had been rescued from abuse several years ago, was subjected to an horrific attack by a bull-terrier type dog in the Harryville area two weeks ago. It took three people to stop the rampaging bull-terrier which had its victim in a death-vice neck grip. The stricken ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Cullybackey BB Display.
Apr 08, 2008 ... Cullybackey Boys Brigade held their annual display last week, and the Times were on hand to capture the smiling faces. View pictures ...
PICTURE GALLERY: St Patrick's Lads display.
Apr 08, 2008 ... St Patrick's Church Lads Brigade held their annual display last week. View ...
Gary is new Antrim Milk Cup coach.
Apr 08, 2008 ... COUNTY Antrim's push for Milk Cup glory this summer will once again have a strong Ballymena influence at the helm. Following on from Joe McCall and Sammy McVicker's exploits in charge of the county side, Gary Boyd has been appointed to lead the Premier (under-16) side in this ...
'Green' bonfire group is launched in Ballymena.
Apr 08, 2008 ... ONE of the most traditional, annual celebrations of loyalist culture will take on a green tinge this year. In a bid to develop greater environmental awareness amongst communities preparing for 11th night bonfires, a new initiative has just been launched aimed at ensuring the ...
Paisley Jnr. applauds bus service re-think.
Apr 08, 2008 ... NEWS that Translink is to carry out another risk assessment on the Tullygarley bus service route has been welcomed by North Antrim MLA Ian Paisley jnr. Commending the move, Mr Paisley pointed out that he met with Translink officials and residents from the Dunluce Park area of ...
Primary schools hockey tournament.
Apr 08, 2008 ... THE annual Ballymena and District Primary Schools hockey tournament was played last week at Ballymena Showgrounds. In the final, ...
Your views: Panorama in Ballymena.
Apr 08, 2008 ... PANORAMA, the BBC's flagship current affairs programme, featured Ballymena in its latest broadcast. The issue was sectarianism in post-agreement Northern Ireland. Compiled by Ballymena-reared Declan Lawn, an award winning BBC staff-man, the programme contrasted the perceived ...
Mole turned out to be skin cancer.
Apr 09, 2008 ... LOCAL couple Leona and Mark Rock know more than anyone how important it is to be 'skin aware' - because three years ago what Mark thought was an innocent looking mole turned out to be melanoma. Mark, who was just 26 at the time, only asked his doctor about the mole because his ...
Ballymena's ethnic community to have their say.
Apr 09, 2008 ... THE problems and concerns facing the growing ethnic community in Ballymena North will be the focus of a major new survey which is due to be carried out in the next few weeks. Dunclug Partnership is organising the survey which will be carried out by a local consultation company ....
Thieves take gas cylinder.
Apr 09, 2008 ... A gas cylinder has been stolen from the garage of a house at Grange Road in Ballymena and police in the town are investigating. The intruders forced open a door in order to gain access to the building sometime between ...
Wright to appeal against stadium ban.
Apr 09, 2008 ... BALLYMENA United boss Tommy Wright has vowed to appeal a six-game stadium ban imposed upon him following disturbances at the end of the home game against Lisburn Distillery. Wright and his opposite number Paul Kirk each had the punishment imposed upon them following Tuesday ...
New manager aiming high at Ballymena Golf Club.
Apr 11, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Golf Club has long been established as one of the country's leading golfing venues, and that reputation looks set to be enhanced with the appointment of Aidan Young as the new manager. The Raceview venue is much more than a golf course, it is a social complex offering ...
Ballymena Lions' charity film premiere a roaring success.
Apr 11, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Lions' Charity Film Premiere of the romantic comedy "27 Dresses" held recently in the IMC Cinema was a great success. This year the three main charities who will benefit from the large turnout of around 170 attending were Cancer Research, Womens Aid and the Samaritans ...
Lambeg drums rolled out for new 'season'.
Apr 11, 2008 ... The first drumming match of the Co Antrim Lambeg Drumming Association season was held at Galgorm on Saturday 5th April 2008. The results are as follows:- 1st J ....
Education public meeting in Ballymena.
Apr 11, 2008 ... CONCERNED parents and teachers were among those who attended a special meeting in Ballymena last night to discuss the future of education in the Province - and more specifically, future transfer provisions following the proposed scrapping of the 11-plus. The ...
Dunloy's Irish dancers claim global crown.
Apr 11, 2008 ... IRISH dancers in Dunloy are officially among the best on the planet having toe-tapped their way to World Championship glory. Four local members of the Kennedy School of Irish Dance were part of the winning team at the 38th World Irish Dancing Championship, held in Belfast's ...
Poker ace James 'flush' with success.
Apr 11, 2008 ... A BALLYMENA student is feeling 'flush' after landing a major Ireland-wide poker title. James Scullion proved he held all the aces by winning the National Student Poker Championship 2008, sponsored by Devilfish Poker. James came top of the pile from an entry of 278 ...
Dunclug attacks on firemen 'clearly orchestrated'.
Apr 13, 2008 ... ATTACKS against fire crews attending a blaze in Ballymena over the weekend were "clearly orchestrated" a fire chief has said. The windscreen of one engine was smashed, putting it out of action for two hours, after officers officers attended a fire at derelict flats in the ...
Rangers star Davis flooded with ticket requests from Ballymena fans.
Apr 13, 2008 ... RANGERS star Steven Davis insists he has nothing to fear from Fiorentina after taking on some of Europe's biggest names. The Cullybackey man heads into Rangers' UEFA Cup semi-final showdown with Serie A side Fiorentina without the slightest bit of trepidation. The ...
'Class' attendance at DUP public meeting on future of education.
Apr 14, 2008 ... DUP education spokespersons Sammy Wilson MP MLA and Mervyn Storey MLA took part in another leg of the DUP's province wide public meetings on the future of education which was held in Ballymena, last Thursday night. During the meeting, which attracted a huge local audience, Mr ...
PICTURE GALLERY: Cullybackey GB 50th.
Apr 14, 2008 ... PAST and present members of the Girls' Brigade came together last weekend to mark 50 years since the formation of their hugely successful company. Read more ... It was established in 1958 under the ministry of Rev. William Magahey and able stewardship of the first ...
Former Mayor threatens to resign from council.
Apr 15, 2008 ... VETERAN Ballymena Councillor Joe McKernan threatened to resign his seat after April's monthly meeting of Ballymena Borough Council, held last Monday night descended into another series of acrimonious exchanges between DUP members and their former party colleagues now in the TUV party. ...
New service for deaf parents.
Apr 15, 2008 ... DEAF parents of school pupils can now call on a new sign language interpreting service whenever they need to communicate with teachers at their child's school. The service can also help parents when they attend transfer evenings to prepare for their child's move from primary to ...
St Louis pupils and Jackie have write stuff.
Apr 15, 2008 ... PUPILS from St Louis Grammar School have received awards for achievements in creative writing. The One Book Project, held by the Northern Ireland Education and Library Board gave pupils the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills. Maria Lynn was the regional ...
Brilliant Braid - Mayor.
Apr 15, 2008 ... THE BRAID museum and arts complex was money well spent, the Mayor has said. Speaking at the beginning of last week's monthly meeting of Council, the Mayor, Cllr. Maurice Mills said large numbers of people were coming to the new complex. "I would like to say how ...
Forecourt Watch is winning at the pumps.
Apr 15, 2008 ... A PSNI pilot scheme to reduce the number of motorists driving off petrol station forecourts without paying for their fuel is working so well in Ballymena that it is now to be rolled out to other parts of the province. Introduced here last June by Community Safety Constable ...
Church plans only one of many options.
Apr 15, 2008 ... PLANNERS may have approved a new building for First Presbyterian Church in Ahoghill but a spokesman for the congregation has told The Ballymena Times that no decision has been taken on such a scheme as yet. Confirmation of the approval for a new church and halls on land ...
Coppers follow a lead on thefts.
Apr 15, 2008 ... POLICE in Ballymena are urging scrap metal merchants to be on the alert for criminals attempting to sell quantities of lead and copper stolen recently from a number of locations at both domestic and commercial premises across the area. A PSNI spokesman said that in some cases, ...
Showgrounds could host Sunday footie.
Apr 15, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Councillors have voiced their opposition to Sunday football, but have conceded that there may little which the Council can do to refuse a game being played at the Showgrounds on the Sabbath. At last week's April Monthly meeting, Councillors responded to a letter from ...
Deal or no deal for Councillors.
Apr 15, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Councillors will soon be faced with the difficult question of 'Deal or no Deal?'. Read more ... With the announcement of the new Super Councils, comes the inevitable reduction in the number of locally elected representatives, but the difficult decisions on ...
Paid parking could be ticket for hospital space invaders...
Apr 15, 2008 ... VISITORS to Antrim Area Hospital could be forced to pay for parking in a bid to tackle the increasing problem of commuters using the grounds as a free car park. Northern Health Trust chief Norma Evans admitted last week that she had been made aware of the problem - made worse by ...
O'Loan: SDLP not part of anti British campaign.
Apr 15, 2008 ... BALLYMENA SDLP Councillor Declan O'Loan has re-stated that his party is not part of a campaign to rid Councils of British symbols. Speaking at last week's Monthly meeting, Cllr. O'Loan referred to the motion passed at the March Monthly meeting: "I would like it recorded ...
Teenager's road death shocks Broughshane.
Apr 15, 2008 ... THE 17-year-old who died in a traffic accident on the Carnlough Road outside Broughshane in the early hours of Monday morning, had just recently passed his driving test. The victim, who has not yet been named, was killed when his car crashed on the Carnlough Road, propelling it ...
Poker ace James 'flush' with success.
Apr 15, 2008 ... A BALLYMENA student is feeling 'flush' after landing a major Ireland-wide poker title. James Scullion proved he held all the aces by winning the National Student Poker Championship 2008, sponsored by Devilfish Poker. James came top of the pile from an entry of 278 ...
Politicians blast stone attacks on fire crews.
Apr 15, 2008 ... CONDEMNATION of the series of attacks on fire crews in Ballymena's Dunclug estate has been vehement and widespread, transcending all party politics. Unionist, Nationalist and Republican representatives have been united in slating anyone and everyone who played a part in the ...
Councillor who lost a child by fire says..
Apr 15, 2008 ... BALLYMENA Sinn Fein Councillor Monica Digney, who lost her eldest daughter in a house fire more than two decades ago, says the young people who stoned the fire crew in Dunclug last Friday night have "no conscience". Recalling the death of her daughter Roisin (9) in a blaze at ...
1,000 bus order for Ballymena's Wrightbus.
Apr 15, 2008 ... BRITAIN'S largest bus operator FirstGroup has placed a [pounds sterling]125 million order for new vehicles with Northern Ireland's leading bus builder. Wrightbus, based in Ballymena, Co Antrim, said the order, believed to be for around 1,000 buses, is the biggest in its history ....
Semi-final exit spells ends of Blackstone season.
Apr 15, 2008 ... BLACKSTONE'S season came to an end on Saturday when they lost out in their challenge to retain the Ulster Cup for a second year. On Thursday they had defeated North Star from Derry in an exciting quarter final game by 85 points to 81 and were hoping to get to the Final of the ...
Milk Cup trials this Thursday.
Apr 15, 2008 ... TRIALS for prospective players from the Ballymena area for the County Antrim under-16 Milk Cup team will take place this Thursday night, April 17, at the back pitches at Antrim Forum. Newly-appointed county under-16 manager Gary Boyd will put would-be players through their paces ...
PICTURE GALLERY: P4 Mini Soccer League finals.
Apr 15, 2008 ... A deflected shot from Lewis Allison was enough to earn his Ballymena Wanderers side victory over Ballymena United in a closely contested McDonalds Mini Soccer League P4 Knockout Cup final in bright sunshine at Ballymena Showgrounds. Round one: Carniny United started well with a ...
Point-to-point meeting this Saturday.
Apr 15, 2008 ... ONE of the two big dates in the local equestrian calendar takes place this Saturday as the Mid-Antrim Hunt holds its point-to-point meeting. Interest in the sport has never been stronger at a local level, with a second meet scheduled for the autumn following a successful trial ...
Braidmen can relegate 'country cousins' on Saturday.
Apr 15, 2008 ... THIS time last year it was Ballymena Rugby Club who were staring down the barrel of relegation on the final day of the AIB All-Ireland League. Twelve months on and the roles are reversed and instead it's Jacques Benade's men who can assume the role of executioner, by condemning ...
Petrol bomb attack on Moat Road.
Apr 17, 2008 ... A petrol bomb was thrown at a house on the Moat Road in the Harryville area of Ballymena. Read more ... Police are investigating an incident in which a petrol bomb was thrown at a house in Moat Road in Ballymena. A window of the house was also broken during ...
Humphreys signs for Ulster.
Apr 17, 2008 ... BROUGHSHANE man Ian Humphreys is relishing his return to rugby action in Northern Ireland after signing a two-year deal with Ulster Rugby. The former Ballymena Academy pupil has been plying his trade at English side Leicester Tigers since the summer of 2005 when he left club ...