All the news and happenings from the local communities

Hydro power plan

APPROVAL has been given by planners for a scheme to develop a micro hydro-electric, nenewable energy system to generate electricity from the Glenmakeeran River near Ballycastle. The applicant is Patrick McLean.

MOYLE

Happy feet

Moyle Council has offered ongratulations to Lir Irish Dancing School on their record breaking River Dance event.

MOYLE

Park meeting

Moyle Council agreed to write to the new Minister of the Environment to invite him to come to Council at his earliest convenience for a meeting regarding National Parks.

BALLYCASTLE

Change of judge

Cllr Seamus Blaney was down to be a judge of street entertainers at the Lammas Fair but he said he was unavailable and was replaced by Cllr Robert McIlroy.

CUSHENDALL

Let there be light?

A £40,000 scheme, for which Moyle Council wants grant aid of £30,000, involves street lights, ‘outdoor gym’ and picnic tables to link the Dalriada area of Cushendall with the seafront walk.

Cllr Joan Baird wondered if the street lights would create “light nuisance”.

Council officer Aidan McPeake said the lights would be under four metres tall and be of a certain lux which is not to over-powering.

He said there is gap in provision at the Dalriada area to link that part of the popular walkway with the beachfront.

Cllr Margaret Anne McKillop said she has been pushing for the Cushendall project since joining the Council.

Cllr Randal McDonnell said concerns have been raised about “stringing the whole coastline with lights”.

Cllr Colum Thompson said he understood lighting concerns but he said they were only talking about a short stretch in Cushendall and there are long parts of the shoreline nearby without lights.

ballintoy

Happy campers?

Moyle Council is seeking £30,000 funding for a £40,000 scheme to put in showers and a changing area at an old shelter at Ballintoy Harbour for watersport provision and an aires de service and dedicated area for camper vans at the back of the carpark.

Council officer Aidan McPeake says large numbers of campers vans currently stay over night at the harbour and the plan is to put in four or five dedicated spaces.

Mr McPeake said Ballintoy is a fantastic place and if you had a camper van you would love to be sitting there and he said if the Council doesn’t do anything the campers will be there anyhow.

However, Cllr Joan Baird said there could be an impact on businesses who provide spaces for camper vans.

Cllr Randal McDonnell said sometimes four or five campers are “crammed in” around the harbour at Cushendun.

LISNAGAVER

Family fun day

Lisnagaver hall committee have organised a family fun day.

There will be a vintage rally, family fun day, bouncy castle, musical entertainment, and barbeque.

The event will be held on Saturday 14th September 11.30pm till 4pm at The Farm of Tommy Fenton, Duneaney Road, Rasharkin.

Everyone welcome.

All tractors, cars, motorcycles, stationary engines or anything vintage welcome.

Bushmills

Marie Curie branch says thanks

The Bushmills Fundraising Group for Marie Curie Cancer Care would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Street Collection in Bushmills on Saturday 17th August 2013. A total of £1008 was raised and all money has been forwarded to the charity. Thanks go to all the collectors, Bushmills residents and visitors who donated so generously to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

BALLYMONEY

Rotary Club

The new President of Ballymoney Rotary Club, Richard Hunter, has officially received his chain of office from the outgoing President, John Dempsey.

The occasion was also marked by a presentation of the Jack Pinkerton Endeavour Award to Liam Beckett who has acted as ‘Black Santa’ to raise money for charities.

This Award was presented to Liam in recognition of his tremendous work in the Borough through all his charitable causes over the years which have raised tens of thousands of pounds. outside Belfast. The Samaritans also is an organisation which also

Also at the culmination of President John ‘s year was the distributing of this year’s Charity cheques. In all 10 local charities received

money from the clubs charity account which is as result of the efforts made by the Rotarian’s through various fund raising events .

The recipients were Multiple Sclerosis , Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul , Age

Concern , Bowel Cancer Charity, R.N.I.B. Cheers , The Teenage Cancer Fund and The Malawi Project. (See pictures right).

B’MACONNELLY

Big breakfast

The ever popular Big Breakfast is being run again by Ballymaconnelly Renewal Group.

The event will take place in Ballymaconnelly Orange Hall on September 7th from 9am - 12 noon.

MOYLE

Cllr for Fair

Moyle Council agreed that Cllr Willie Graham should join the Chairperson Cara McShane and Vice-Chairperson Robert McIlroy at Ballinasloe Fair.

Cllr Graham said he had been offered accommodation at no cost to ratepayers

causeway

New path agreed

PLANNING approval has been given for the National Trust to construct a new pedestrian and cycle path to link the existing Portballintrae/Giant’s Causeway Path to the Causeway Hotel and New Visitor Centre.

However, a meeting of Moyle Council heard there was an objection from the Giant’s Causeway Community Association who considered the path would have a visual impact on the area and believe the path could also have an effect on parking in the area around Runkerry Road.

A planning officer said the path will probably bring benefits to the area

BALLYCASTLE

Human Rights

OPINIONS on human rights were deliberated in a Q&A event in Portnagree House, Ballycastle .

The event was organised by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in association with North Antrim Community Network. NIHRC Chief Commissioner Professor Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner John Corey and staff spent the day meeting local people and visiting community organisations across the council area to learn about local human rights issues and concerns.

The visit was part of the NIHRC’s on-going programme of community visits across Northern Ireland.

Professor O’Flaherty said: “We were delighted to visit Moyle because it gave us a chance to hear first-hand what human rights issues are facing local groups and individuals. We welcomed the opportunity to hear concerns expressed regarding such issues as protecting human rights in a rural context and human rights related environmental concerns.”

The team from the Human Rights Commission finished the day with a visit to the world renowned Corrymeela Community.

MOYLE

MEP visit

SINN Fein Member of the European Parliament, Martina Anderson, has paid a visit to several projects in the Moyle area.

CUSHENDALL

Life jacket safety

National charity, the Fishermen’s Mission recently distributed Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) or lifejackets to over 70 north coast fishermen at an event in the Red Bay RNLI Station, Cushendall.

Bob McMullan, Honorary Secretary of the Northern Coast Lobster Fishermen’s Association said: ‘We welcome the provision of grant-aided lifejackets to our members and thank all those who have worked hard to deliver this project. Fishing is a dangerous occupation and the Mullion Compact PFDs provided are an excellent, user-friendly design which we hope will encourage fishermen to wear them at all times’.

Fisherman Peter Boston from Portstewart (PICTURED RIGHT) received a PFD and safety training said ‘As fishermen, we understand the importance of good quality equipment; from our boats, engines, nets and lobster pots to the standard of our clothing- in harsh weather conditions especially, having the right gear for our jobs is essential. These PFDs are comfortable and easy to wear and I anticipate that the PFD provided today will become a standard part of the kit I use when going to sea.’

Fishermen at the Cushendall event were drawn from the north coast (including Rathlin Island).

glens

Red squirrel group Treasure Hunt

Glens Red Squirrel Group have another of our popular Treasure Hunts on Friday 30th August.

Starting at the Beach Car Park (at the front of Glenmona) in Cushendun at 7pm.

Finishing at the Laragh Lodge Restaurant in Glenariff.

Cost per car £10. Tickets available from any committee member or on the night. There will refreshments provided at the Laragh.

See www.glensredsquirrelgroup.com for info

or find us on Facebook.