There’s more happening nearby than you might think

Welcome to issue #19 of the Antrim & Newtownabbey Post.

Fun fact: In 1910, Lilian Bland built and flew her own aeroplane, the Mayfly, at Carnmoney, becoming one of the world’s first female aviation pioneers.

Here’s a preview of what’s waiting for you in this issue:

Hope you enjoy!

~ Mark McKnight, Editor.

P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to forward it to a friend’s email who might find it useful.

Is there an event your neighbourhood has always wanted to hold, or a much-loved festival that deserves another year?

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has opened a new round of its Community Festival Fund. Properly constituted community, voluntary and charitable organisations based in the borough can apply.

Funding of up to £5,000 is available for a one-year festival. Groups planning festivals over two years can apply for up to £10,000.

The fund is for festivals created by and for local communities. These should bring people together through a series of activities with a shared theme.

They could celebrate local culture, heritage, creativity or the character of a neighbourhood.

Applications opened on 6 July and must be submitted by 14 August 2026. The latest round follows awards of £19,990 to six successful applicants, with £54,103 remaining in the 2026/27 festival budget at the time of the council meeting.

A community festival can give neighbours a reason to meet, help volunteers build confidence and create something local people can feel proud of.

Read the guidance and apply through the Community Festival Fund page. Groups that need help can call 0300 123 4568.

Are food bills putting extra pressure on your household, or do you know a family that could use some friendly support?

The borough’s Social Supermarket and Family Support Programme will continue throughout 2026/27.

The council has approved £134,678.40 for Community Advice Antrim and Newtownabbey to run the Social Supermarket, plus £20,000 for Save the Children’s Family Support Programme.

The Social Supermarket offers low-cost food supplied through FareShare NI and donations from local businesses.

It also connects people with benefit checks, budgeting and debt advice, and other services that may help with the wider pressures behind food insecurity.

During 2025/26, the service supported 307 households, including 373 adults and 223 children. It provided £115,005 in food vouchers and completed 307 benefit checks.

This work generated £633,000 for clients, while 88% of those using the service said the help left them better off in the longer term.

Save the Children also supported 124 families and 238 children, providing £32,280 in vouchers and early learning packs.

If you think this support could help you or someone you know, contact Community Advice Antrim and Newtownabbey on 028 9590 6505. The team can explain what help is available and whether a referral is suitable.

Does someone you care for feel unsteady on the stairs or find it difficult to manage steps at their front door?

A council service is helping eligible residents get simple home adaptations fitted without waiting for a full Occupational Therapy assessment.

The council has now approved a formal agreement with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust to continue the service.

During a free Home Safety Check, the council’s trained team can assess whether an older person or vulnerable adult would benefit from a handrail at an outside door, a second stair rail or a grab rail beside the toilet.

Suitable requests can go directly to the Trust for fitting. Residents with more complex needs are referred for a full Occupational Therapy assessment.

Of the people referred through the service so far, 102 received this quicker route to minor adaptations. An evaluation found that 80% of handrails were fitted within three weeks of the Home Safety Check.

Traditional referrals could take up to six months. Every client who took part in the evaluation said they were satisfied with the service.

Free Home Safety Checks are available to people aged over 65, vulnerable adults and families with children under five. Equipment is subject to eligibility and availability.

You can request a free Home Safety Check, or call 028 9034 0160. A relative, carer or support worker can also make a request with the resident’s consent.

Every week, we shine a light on one of the brilliant independent businesses that make our community what it is. The hidden gems, the passionate makers, and the hardworking locals who keep our high streets alive.

If you've ever needed someone trustworthy to look after your dog while you're at work, on holiday, or celebrating a big day like a wedding, meet Natasha McKernon.

She’s the heart behind Tasha's Happy Hounds, a new dog walking and sitting service covering Ballyclare, Newtownabbey and the surrounding area.

Natasha's story starts with heartbreak. After rescuing a dog with separation anxiety, she found herself struggling alone, unable to find affordable, reliable help.

That gap is exactly what she's setting out to fill. As a full-time carer with years of experience looking after people and pets alike, she's built her business around genuine compassion and around keeping costs fair, with the current cost-of-living squeeze firmly in mind.

Services include dog walking, full sitting care (walks, feeding, toileting) while you're away, and even at-home bathing.

New customers can try the service with confidence: Tasha's offering 25% off your first walk or sitting session, so you can see if she's the right fit for your dog before committing further.

In her own words, her mission is "to provide dependable, compassionate, and professional pet care tailored to the individual needs of every animal," giving owners real peace of mind.

Tasha's Happy Hounds is just starting out, so this is a lovely chance for local dog owners to support a caring, community-minded new business from the ground up.

Get in touch via Facebook or call/text 07713759870.

If this week's feature caught your eye, show them some love. Pay them a visit, spread the word, or give them a follow online.

Supporting a local business takes just a moment, but it makes a world of difference. If you want to feature your local business here and get it in front of 800+ subscribers for free, click the button below.

Lego Club | Glengormley Library | 10:00 AM. Children aged 4 to 10 build and create with Lego bricks in this lively Saturday session, with booking essential and younger children accompanied by an adult.

Mindful Colouring | Greystone Library | 10:00 AM. Settle into a peaceful morning of intricate colouring designs, a gentle way to ease stress and calm the mind while enjoying quiet time in the library.

Knit and Natter | Greystone Library | 10:30 AM. Bring your knitting, crochet or cross stitch project and swap tips with fellow crafters in this free, friendly group open to all skill levels.

Dungeons and Dragons Group | Glengormley Library | 1:30 PM. Adults aged 18 and over roll dice and dive into fantasy adventures together in this weekly tabletop roleplaying session full of storytelling and teamwork.

Tale of the Frozen Heart | Theatre at The Mill | 2:30 PM. Storyteller Nora leads families through a wintry tale of sisterhood and adventure, complete with singing, dancing and a touch of snowy magic for all ages. Tickets cost £13.50.

Natural Navigation Course (Wayfinder Series) | 23 Burn Road, Doagh, BT39 0RE | 9:00 AM. Learn to read the sun, wind and landscape like our ancestors did, gaining hands-on outdoor skills on this full-day bushcraft workshop costing £80 per person.

Ranger Led Tour | Antrim Castle Gardens | 2:00 PM. Wander the historic 350-year-old gardens with a knowledgeable ranger who shares tales of the Massereene family on this easy hour-long walk. Tickets cost £5, under 12s free.

Bushcraft Safety Award | 23 Burn Road, Doagh, BT39 0RE | 9:00 AM. Outdoor instructors sharpen their skills in fire craft, shelter building and safe group sessions on this assessed day course, priced at £120 per person.

Crossword Club | Greystone Library | 9:30 AM. Sharpen your mind over crosswords and sudoku while enjoying tea, coffee and biscuits in good company every Monday morning.

Youth Creative Writing Workshop | Theatre at The Mill | 10:00 AM. Young writers aged 12 and over try fun writing experiments with YA author Shirley-Anne McMillan in a relaxed morning session, tickets £12, no experience needed.

Junior Summer Scheme | 45 Breckenhill Road, Ballyclare | 10:00 AM. Children aged 8 to 11 kick off a week of bushcraft, low ropes and trike riding as part of Breckenhill's action-packed summer scheme.

Adult Lego Club | Rathcoole Library | 10:00 AM. Grown-ups swap the stress of the week for playful brick building over tea, coffee and biscuits in this relaxed Monday morning gathering.

Youth Creative Writing Workshop | Theatre at The Mill | 1:00 PM. This afternoon session offers fresh writing exercises different from the morning class, so keen young writers aged 12+ can happily attend both, tickets £12.

Lego Club | Greystone Library | 3:00 PM. Children aged 6 to 12 gather after school to build and imagine with Lego, with adults asked to accompany their little builders throughout.

Chess Drop-in | Glengormley Library | 10:00 AM. Grab a cuppa and find an opponent for a relaxed game of chess, open to all ages with refreshments provided and no booking needed.

Knit and Natter | Rathcoole Library | 10:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to bring along a craft project, swap patterns and chat over complimentary tea and coffee in this sociable Tuesday group.

Meet Kubo the Robot! | Greenisland Library | 11:30 AM. Children aged 4 to 10 discover the basics of coding through an interactive game guiding Kubo the robot to school and the shops, booking essential.

Ballyclare Scribblers | Ballyclare Library | 12:30 PM. Budding writers and poets share ideas and try new weekly prompts in a supportive group, perfect for taking time out to relax and create.

Knit and Natter | Randalstown Library | 1:30 PM. Crafters of every kind gather to knit, crochet or stitch while chatting and swapping tips in this free, welcoming weekly group.

Dungeons and Dragons | Greenisland Library | 2:00 PM. Children aged 8 to 11 become paladins, sorcerers or rogues in this beginner-friendly one-shot adventure full of puzzles and teamwork, booking essential.

Mindful Colouring | Antrim Library | 11:00 AM. Adults can unwind with intricate colouring patterns designed to ease stress and sharpen focus, with no booking required for this calming Wednesday session.

Knit and Natter | Glengormley Library | 2:00 PM. Craft enthusiasts meet to knit, crochet and chat, bringing an existing project or starting something new, with phone booking requested ahead of time.

Let's Go Walking | Randalstown Library | 2:15 PM. Take a gentle guided walk that connects participants with nature and each other, offering fresh air and companionship, with booking essential for this Wednesday outing.

Mindful Colouring | Rathcoole Library | 10:00 AM. Explore adult colouring with detailed patterns designed to calm the mind and relieve stress during this relaxed Thursday morning drop-in session.

Lego Club | Cloughfern Library | 2:00 PM. Children aged 4 to 12 spend two creative hours building with Lego, with younger children accompanied by an adult and booking essential for a place.

Nordic Walking | Sixmile Park, Ballyclare | 5:30 PM. Try walking with poles to ease pressure on your joints and feel lighter on your feet, with training provided and no registration needed to join in.

Adult Board Games Club | Antrim Library | 10:30 AM. Grab a board game from the desk or bring your own for a lively, comfortable Friday morning session that welcomes everyone to join in.

Laugh Out Loud Afternoon | Antrim Library | 2:00 PM. Kids learn to twist balloon dogs, tell their best jokes and compete for prizes during this fun-filled family afternoon of giggles and games.

Bug Hotel Workshop | Rathcoole Library | 3:00 PM. Children build their own bug hotel to shelter garden insects after a lively storytime, learning about nature's tiniest residents; booking essential for this hands-on session.

Lego Club | Randalstown Library | 3:30 PM. Children aged 6 and over use their imagination to build favourite characters and scenes from books, with an accompanying adult required and booking essential.

Story Tree – You and Me | Randalstown Library | 3:30 PM. Families gather to share stories together, growing a love of reading and imagination in a warm, welcoming library setting for children and their grown-ups.

On The Road Again | Theatre at The Mill | 7:45 PM. Enjoy a free evening of Country Classics performed live by Social Call, especially welcoming elderly and isolated community members alongside family, friends or carers; a ticket is required.

Do you have a local event coming up that you’d like to share with us?

That’s it for this issue. If you want to get in touch, just hit reply to this email and I’ll get back to you asap.

If you found this useful, feel free to share it with someone else around the Antrim and Newtownabbey area who might appreciate some new local events to try each week.

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Next edition will land at the same time next Friday.