Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA has announced that work on the replacement Moylinn East bridge in Craigavon will commence on Tuesday 6 May 2025 Work will begin to prepare the ground and construct and strengthen the abutments in readiness for the new bridge structure being put in place later this summer.  “ This replacement bridge represents a £750k investment in active travel infrastructure for the Craigavon area and I am sure the local community who have been using a temporary route since the original bridge was removed in 2023 will welcome the start of the construction phase “Once completed the bridge will reinstate an important link in the pedestrian and cycling network to local school and amenities, the nearby leisure centre Craigavon City Park and the Rushmere Shopping Centre.  “Active travel is one of my department’s seven Foundations for a Better Future and this project demonstrates my commitment to improving overall active travel provision in the area  such as the recently reconstructed segregated cycle tracks and footpaths along a section of the Craigavon Black Paths network between the underpass at South lakes leisure centre and the Drumgor Centre.” Temporary traffic management will be required as work progresses and the Department will keep the public informed once dates have been confirmed. The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience and we would ask everyone to comply with any temporary arrangements in place to ensure the safety of both the public and our workers all work is expected to be completed by early September For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchni Run Well’ event to highlight personal safety while running and the importance of good nutrition to support performance Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) along with Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Sports Development team and PSNI running is a hugely popular activity for people of all ages and abilities across the borough Each week hundreds of people join a running community to take on the local parkrun at Armagh Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Kyle Savage said: “One of the Council’s key goals is to create ‘a happy This event is an important step towards achieving that vision however personal safety while out running remains a real concern “Tonight’s event has been a great opportunity to raise awareness about staying safe and how to report issues and concerns The nutrition advice and tips will also go a long way to supporting people in their journey to lead fitter and healthier lives.” Representatives from Lurgan and Armagh Neighbourhood Policing teams and PSNI were on hand to offer advice and guidance on risk aversion Local World Triathlon Level 2 Coach and Advanced Sport Nutrition Advisor Diane Cordner shared tips and advice on the importance of a healthy balanced diet and its role in performance and recovery shared valuable insights into how to reduce injuries while running and how to support recovery Alderman Mark Baxter said: “It has been fantastic to welcome everyone along to this event I wish to extend a very special thank you to our guest speakers who delivered lots of key messages on the importance of staying safe and our local independent retailers and exhibitors who generously sponsored spot prizes.” The event was supported by local business including McKeever Sports Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced a £270,000 investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for Craigavon The work on the Black Paths is due to commence on Monday 6 January 2025 and is expected to take 8 weeks to complete.  “This significant investment includes reconstruction and improvement of the existing segregated cycle tracks and footpaths along a section of the Craigavon Black Paths network between the underpass at South lakes leisure centre and the Drumgor Centre “I am committed to creating more opportunities for active travel and providing high quality infrastructure for those who want to walk wheel and cycle for many of the shorter everyday journeys Once completed this scheme will provide improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in the Craigavon area and improve connections to local schools and amenities.” To help ensure the safety of those using the paths and to facilitate the works it will be necessary to operate footpath closures in short sections from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm from Monday 6 January 2025.  The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience and we would ask everyone to comply with any temporary arrangements in place to ensure the safety of both the public and our workers the works will be substantially complete by Friday 7 March 2025 however the Department will keep the public informed of any change Humanists UK is saddened to learn of the death of Janric Craig a long-standing member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) and a patron of Humanists UK Born in 1944 into a prominent Ulster family – his grandfather was James Craig the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland – Janric Craig was educated at Eton College and the University of London He worked as a chartered accountant before succeeding to his father’s title in 1974 entering the House of Lords as a crossbench peer He was one of the hereditary peers elected to remain following the House of Lords Act 1999 Lord Craigavon was a committed humanist, actively participating in parliamentary debates on issues aligned with humanist values. He was a vocal supporter of assisted dying for the terminally ill. In a 2014 debate concerning the Director of Public Prosecutions’ guidelines on assisted suicide, he stated it is a continuing matter of shame that our fellow countrymen and women still have to go to Switzerland to avail themselves of what should be possible in this country’ He frequently highlighted the significant public support for law change in this area noting figures showing over 80% favour some form of assisted dying contrasting this with the lack of political will and opposition from religious figures in Parliament In a 2013 House of Lords debate celebrating the contribution of atheists and humanists to society, Lord Craigavon spoke of the APPHG’s history and its support from Humanists UK including work on legal recognition of humanist marriages He reflected on the shift from ‘previous certainties to what I would call constructive uncertainties’ seeing the humanist movement as testament to this progress He advocated for the questioning of religious beliefs and the challenging of religious discrimination citing the Census data showing a rise of the non-religious He concluded his speech expressing the hope that ‘the atheist and the humanist movements will continue to challenge constructively some of the foundations of the orthodoxies we have inherited’ Lord Craigavon had an interest in moral education and served as an adviser and former trustee of the Progress Educational Trust ‘We are all deeply saddened by the news that Janric Craig has died a stalwart of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group and active member of Humanists UK In recent years he was supportive of the campaign for assisted dying in particular and he showed his personal support for Paul Lamb and other assisted dying campaigners over the years I know he would have relished his opportunity to debate the Assisted Dying Bill that’s moving through Parliament at the moment and it’s a great sadness he didn’t get to see it passed before he died.’ media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 07918 975795 Humanists UK has over 200 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science The President of Humanists UK is the geneticist He is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Alice Roberts Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people Powered by over 140,000 members and supporters we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues Sign up as a supporter and we'll keep you up to date by email about all of our work for a fair and equal society. See our Privacy Policy Postcode is optional but will help us send you information relevant to your local area A recent intergenerational project in Craigavon has successfully brought together young and older generations fostering a new and meaningful partnership between Eire Og Golden Years and Tullygally Primary School spanning six weeks of exciting and enriching activities aimed at encouraging interaction and building lasting connections across generations The programme featured a variety of engaging sessions These activities allowed participants to share experiences and cultivate strong bonds while having fun The initiative was designed to challenge the traditional boundaries between generations offering young children the chance to interact with older adults and gain wisdom and life experiences while providing older people with the joy of connecting with younger members of the community “The success of this intergenerational project highlights the power of community and the positive impact of bringing different age groups together,” commented Councillor Kyle Savage “The activities have not only provided fun and creativity but also created new friendships and fostered mutual understanding between the young and the elderly We are proud to support such initiatives that enrich our community and strengthen our social fabric.” The partnership between Eire Og Golden Years and Tullygally Primary School has set the stage for future collaboration with plans for similar projects in the works The programme was organised by the ABC Council’s Community Development department with funding from the Northern Ireland Executive’s ‘Together: Building a United Community’ (T:BUC) Strategy which is aimed at improving community relations Home > News > TrustFord grows presence in Northern Ireland with new Craigavon Transit Centre News Dealer group TrustFord has added to its retail network in Northern with the opening of a new Transit Centre in Craigavon The site officially threw its doors open earlier this month (Apr 9) with TrustFord CEO Stuart Mustoe among those in attendance The group held a special opening event with partners Trevor and Gary Turkington bringing a classic Ford Thames Van along for the big day will provide an ‘enhanced and relaxed environment for guests to explore and experience the Ford Commercial Vehicle range’ we’re always looking for ways to drive the standard in customer care and the opening of our new Transit Centre in Craigavon represents an important milestone for us,’ said Mustoe ‘Alongside our Transit Centres in Ballymena and Mallusk it gives us the scale and resources to meet the needs of our guests across Northern Ireland — both today and director of commercial vehicles at Ford of Britain and Ireland was on hand to present the new team with the prestigious 2024 Ford President’s Award Speaking at the opening Dean said: ‘It is a privilege to join the team at Craigavon and celebrate the official opening of this new Transit Centre ‘This stunning new site will provide a fantastic platform to showcase our latest commercial vehicles — including the E-Custom and ‘I was also delighted to present the team with the 2024 Ford President’s Award recognising their outstanding commitment to excellence in customer service and sales performance in Northern Ireland.’ The latest addition means that TrustFord is now actively recruiting in Northern Ireland as it looks to ‘provide the very highest levels of customer care.’​ regional director of TrustFord NI and Channel Islands added: ‘The expansion of our Transit Centre in Craigavon marks a major milestone for TrustFord in Northern Ireland ‘With Transit Centres now in Ballymena we’re in a stronger position than ever to support our commercial vehicle guests It also brings with it exciting career opportunities as we continue to grow our brilliant team ‘I’d also like to extend my thanks to our dedicated colleagues who have worked tirelessly to get everything ready and are so committed to providing the very highest levels of customer care.’ Jack joined the Car Dealer team in 2021 as a staff writer He previously worked as a national newspaper journalist for BNPS Press Agency He has provided news and motoring stories for a number of national publications including The Sun Southern Regional College’s Big Apprenticeship Event returns this February to Craigavon’s Civic Centre on Thursday 6th February from 5:00pm to 7:30pm The Big Apprenticeship Event is a one stop shop for those seeking to start a new apprenticeship course from level 2 to level 5 from September 2025 The event seeks to match potential apprentices with employers with over 40 employers and support organisations expected to attend both the Newry and Craigavon events College staff will also be present discussing course modules Also returning to the event this year are student ambassadors from various programmes of study giving a first-hand account of what it is like being an apprentice and sharing their incredible journeys and giving the low-down on the reality of studying whilst being an apprentice lecturing staff and student ambassadors alike will be answering questions from attendees Now in its 7th year the Big Apprenticeship Event delivered in partnership with Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the ABC Labour Market Partnership this event provides opportunities to young people and adult returners alike to develop skills and gain relevant experience with recruiting employers Apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships are flexible career pathways providing the chance to earn a salary while pursuing qualifications With course fees funded by the Department for the Economy now has never been a better time to start an apprenticeship or higher level apprenticeship at Southern Regional College Apprenticeships are offered at level 2 and 3 at Southern Regional College in over 30 areas ranging from business hospitality & food manufacturing to motor vehicles Higher Level Apprenticeships provide participants with recognised foundation and honour degrees referred to as level 5 and 6 qualifications in 20 subject areas The College has successfully run Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes of study for 10 years providing over 1,200 people with jobs since the inception of the programme This year could be attendees’ opportunity to add a degree and a new source of employment to their accomplishments Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented: “We are delighted to once again host The Big Apprenticeship Event in our local communities The event provides attendees the unique opportunity to start conversations and directly engage with a wide and varied range of employers “Attendees will have the opportunity to gather information on the various programmes of study and gain an understanding of the benefits of studying an apprenticeship Apprenticeships offer value by combining hands on vocational training equipping individuals with the skills and experience currently in demand by employers or someone seeking professional development this event promises to deliver a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you shape your future.” “ABC Council is delighted to support the return of the Big Apprenticeship event on Thursday 6th February in Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre Apprenticeships and higher level Apprenticeships have the opportunity to transform the lives of individuals connecting local people with local career pathways in forward-thinking local businesses sparking partnerships that drive innovation and strengthen our economy “Apprenticeships and higher level Apprenticeships are not just a win for individuals who have the opportunity to earn while they learn but they are also a win for local business and our Borough as a whole as we work collectively to nurture a pipeline of skilled individuals to strengthen the local economy both now and into the future.” A 41-year-old man found with 100,000 counterfeit cigarettes in a pub carpark has avoided jail after he donated €5,000 to charity pleaded guilty to having tobacco which did not have the appropriate tax stamp attached A second charge of evasion of Excise Duty was taken into consideration Dundalk Circuit Court heard how the defendant an Armagh GAA TV volunteer who previously received a nine-year sentence for possession of explosives drove into the car park of the Rosewood Country Club Adrian Buckley gave evidence that this occurred at 5pm on October 29 and in the Volvo being driven by Mr McKenna boxes of cigarettes were located in the boot A mobile phone and £900stg were also seized by Gardaí It was later established that the cigarettes were counterfeit and that there was a potential €56,000 loss to the Exchequer An arrangement was later made for the father of two to attend a garda station voluntarily but he didn’t turn up and was arrested on August 14 2021 at Tayto Park and brought to Ashbourne Garda Station There were five previous convictions in Northern Ireland including the nine-year term handed down in 2008 for possession of explosives with intent to endanger property and two convictions for each of common assault and obstructing police Counsel said that Mr McKenna was married 12 years and worked as a self-employed plasterer He was a volunteer with Armagh GAA TV videoing and livestreaming matches The court was asked to consider a suspended sentence He was a different man than five years ago and willing to make a suggested financial contribution of €5,000 the court was told that the defendant had taken out a Credit Union loan for the €5,000 Judge Dara Hayes directed that it be given to Turas Addiction Services in Dundalk the judge said that aggravating factors were the serious nature of the offending and the quantity of cigarettes for which there was no innocent explanation This was clearly an attempt to some degree to trade in illicit cigarettes plea of guilty and some form of restitution There had been no subsequent adverse attention for coming on five years on condition the defendant keeps the peace and is of good behaviour A forfeiture order was made for the £900 and the court ordered the destruction of the cigarettes and mobile phone Please check your inbox to verify your details Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has launched a public consultation process aimed at gathering views on its proposed Performance Improvement Objectives for 2025-26 From Thursday 06 February to Thursday 03 April 2025 members of the public are invited to complete a short online survey to share their thoughts and opinions on the following proposed objectives: “Each year our council is required to set objectives for improving how it carries out its functions and to put in place arrangements to help promote sustainable and continuous improvements in its service delivery we are welcoming comments on our proposed Performance Improvement Objectives for 2025-26 it is important that as many members of the local community offer feedback on these proposed objectives to ensure they reflect those views and address the needs of customers residents and communities across the entire borough.” To complete the survey and view related documents for the proposed Performance Improvement Objectives before Thursday 03 April, click here Should you wish to receive the document in hard copy or an alternative format, please contact the council’s Performance Team on 0300 0300 900 or email (function(){var ml="nhe4cupd.vkif0obmrg%a",mi="62A<>A@D042C3=DA@DB1?D0?A;7B24AD;BD9>08B>985:",o="";for(var j=0,l=mi.length;j*protected email* Greggs has opened its first drive thru in Northern Ireland just outside of Belfast The new drive thru will be based in the Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon and joins a growing portfolio of new shops being set up away from the traditional high street as well as an increasing number of drive thru locations since the launch of its first in Manchester in 2017.  from freshly ground coffee and iced drinks Customers can also take advantage of Greggs’ deals throughout the day offering a breakfast roll or baguette alongside a Fairtrade orange juice or hot drink – served until 11am every day Those looking for a bite to eat in the evening can enjoy the Greggs Made To Order range including the Chicken Burgers and Wraps alongside a variety of pizza slices customers can pick up any pizza slice with any drink from just £3.45 instead of the usual £4.55 Customers looking to skip the queues and grab a quick bite on the go can order through Click + Collect via the Greggs App The Greggs App is free to download and gives access to a variety of tasty rewards For every 9 purchases in different categories – from hot drinks to bakes to sweet treats – app users can get one completely free New users of the Greggs App also receive a free hot drink of their choice upon registration as well as a free sweet treat to celebrate their birthday each year The Marlborough Retail Park drive thru opens with a modern new look and comfortable indoor seating The opening hours are 07:00am – 21:00pm daily Steven Hodgen, said: “We can’t wait to welcome both Greggs fans and new customers to our brand-new drive thru We’ve got an amazing range of iconic savouries hot food and healthier choices available for takeaway Greggs said: “The launch of our first drive thru in Northern Ireland demonstrates our commitment to convenience ensuring we are accessible to busy commuters and those looking for a great value and tasty option while on the go Our new drive thru shop in Belfast has brought 18 new jobs to the local area as well as providing customers with a modern convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.” opinion and blog entries from Business Eye Business Eye was first published in 1999 and since has grown in stature to become the leading business magazine serving the Northern Ireland marketplace Aimed at readers in senior management positions across the spectrum of business in Northern Ireland Business Eye has gained an enviable reputation for its quality Contact us:info@businesseye.co.uk Council was delighted to support cultural diversity and inclusion awareness events across Southern Regional College (SRC) students at the college immersed themselves in the vibrant tapestry of cultures that enrich Northern Ireland The events featured a dynamic mix of workshops all designed to showcase the rich diversity within local communities Students had the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders from the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Community Development and Good Relations Team Victim Support NI and the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to transforming communities through shared creative experiences brought the essence of global cultures to life with captivating dance performances from Mexico These performances were followed by insightful talks on the traditions and heritage of these countries Student Celine Maria Corhea also spoke on her Romanian roots and gave fellow students an insight into her heritage Victim Support NI and the PSNI addressed sensitive topics which included discrimination prejudice and social challenges which continue to remain present within our communities Discussions centred on how individuals can safely confront negativity and introduced students to various local support services available for those who witness or experience hate crime in their community said; “ABC Council is delighted to work in partnership with SRC to support their cultural diversity and inclusion events Communities across our borough are passionate about celebrating diversity fostering inclusivity and working towards a shared and brighter future for all and we as a council are proud to play our part.” Michael Availa from Victim Support NI commented; “With hate crime rising across NI the Hate Crime Advocacy Service wants to ensure that SRC students are keenly aware of how to identify report and seek support for hate incidents and that the community is resilient it is very clear that its students are ‘ahead of the curve’ on these issues and readily embrace diversity.” The events at SRC’s Armagh and Lurgan campuses were funded by The Executive Office District Council’s Good Relations Action Plan and delivered in partnership with Artsekta the Community Development and Good Relations Team and SRC Councils throughout Northern Ireland celebrated as the ten award winners of the 2025 Local Government Awards were announced at an event hosted by Barra Best at the Game of Thrones Studio in Banbridge last night (Thursday 27 March) Coordinated by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) the awards ceremony also marked the 10th anniversary of the newly established councils and the evolving role of councillors who are vital in advocating and delivering for their communities and the wider region This year’s awards attracted 69 entries and were designed to celebrate the exceptional efforts of councils in their communities They highlighted the innovative service provision and the personal commitment of councillors The award categories focused on showcasing the dedication and creative approaches that local councils demonstrate daily while also creating opportunities for local government staff and elected members to shine Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council collected two awards on the night Food Heartland took home the award for ‘Best Outcome of the Past Decade Award.’ This council-led initiative connects farmers food producers and chefs across the borough to work collaboratively to foster a vibrant food culture and showcase the region’s exceptional culinary offerings promotes collaboration and integrates sustainability to strengthen civic pride enhance wellbeing and ensure long-term prosperity and resilience of our towns and cities won the ‘Innovative Planning for the Future Award.’ “Councils across Northern Ireland are committed to enhancing the communities they serve while also supporting broader government and civic initiatives Our councils undertake valuable work and dedicate time and resources to modernise and improve their areas for local communities as well as for wider government and civic society “The Local Government Awards are a testament to these services and provide benchmarks for broader government They offer fantastic learning tools for councils in an environment where every penny and resource counts which is evident in each of our ambitious and resourceful councils Congratulations to our winners and finalists and thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate and support the 2025 Local Government Awards.” Celebrating a “Decade of Achievement” for Northern Ireland’s councils Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said “Councils play a central role in delivering a wide range of services and in helping to develop and grow the local economy – making life better for all our citizens and working in partnership with central government to develop and deliver City and Growth Deals This has brought decision-making closer to local communities ensuring services are tailored to meet specific needs Local councils have also driven economic regeneration by partnering with businesses Initiatives like Labour Market Partnerships and the £1 billion investment in City and Growth Deals are creating jobs our unsung frontline heroes go above and beyond to deliver for their local communities The Local Government Awards highlight their commitment to the goals of continuous improvement and excellence in public services From maintaining beautiful parks and managing waste collection to attracting businesses and promoting arts it is a privilege to recognise the fantastic work that local councils do on the front lines.” with sponsor partners and support bodies including agendaNi the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) the Local Government Staff Commission (LGSC) the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and the William Johnston Memorial Trust (WJMT) Also shortlisted for the awards were the Inclusive ABC Initiative (Local Government Equality Council-wide Quality Management System (Best Use of Data and Technology Award) and ABC Safeguarding Officer Click here for a full list of the winners. A Craigavon-based food business has been praised for their generous donation to the ABC Community Food Hub Karri Kitchen have kindly given 360 prepared meals to be redistributed through the social supermarkets which are part of the ABC Community Food Hub set up to help those people experiencing food insecurity Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council the Community Food Hub was co-designed to provide a centralised location for food donations to be distributed to food banks and social supermarkets within the ABC Borough Shera McAloran who is the founder of Karri Kitchen said: “It is our pleasure to be able to donate some of our healthy and nutritious meals to the ABC Food Hub As a business based in the ABC Council area we are keen to support local organisations who are providing much-needed help to people in crisis and we are happy to share that experience with people at a time of need Knowing that our donations are being distributed through the hub to social supermarkets who journey alongside clients gives us confidence that what we give makes a difference to those who need it the most.” Chris Leech from the ABC Community Food Hub said the donation by Karri Kitchen would make an important impact “Our primary goal is to coordinate food donations from our amazing local food sector and channel these donations to organisations who are supporting people in crisis We are impressed by the generosity of companies like Karri Kitchen who want to share their award-winning meals with our social supermarket and food bank network,” said Chris “Our strategy in 2025 is to develop this partnership between business and the community sector ensuring that the generosity of local businesses is met with the best practice support of our local poverty relief charities “Appropriate food support at a time of crisis can both meet an immediate poverty need and deliver ongoing empowering support This wrap-around support helps to tackle some of the more complex issues that many people in our community face Businesses are happy to meet their corporate social responsibility status and know that their community benefits.” Businesses can support the ABC Community Food Hub by visiting – www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/business-engagement/ For those seeking help from the ABC Community Food Hub social supermarkets and wraparound services are available in seven locations For further information and contact details please visit – www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/socialsupermarket/ Over 120 job seekers turned out at last week’s job fair at the Market Place Theatre in Armagh to meet local employers and potentially apply for job positions on offer Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Labour Market Partnership in collaboration with the local Jobs and Benefits Office Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work Job seekers had the opportunity to engage directly with potential employers including Mackle Pet Foods A range of training and support programme providers were also on hand to advise on schemes to help people get into employment “These local job fairs are a platform for employers training and support services and job seekers to connect and explore employment and training opportunities It was a pleasure to meet the exhibitors and job seekers to hear more about the opportunities and challenges they face Council events such as this are incredibly important in bridging gaps in skills or learning within our local economy.” The next job fair will take place in Lurgan Town Hall on Tuesday 25 February 2025 from 10am – 1pm To find out more about the Labour Market Partnership visit https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/business/labour-market-partnership/ Local community groups can now apply for a grant to purchase bedding plants and shrubs to improve their local environment Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Small Floral Grants Scheme Local constituted community groups across the borough are invited to apply for a grant up to a maximum of £250 Council will purchase the bedding plants or shrubs on behalf of the community group The community group will then plant and tend the plants Grants will be awarded by council based on evidence of real interest on the part of the community concerned in making a practical contribution to the improvement of the local area Towns and villages participating in the Ulster in Bloom Competition will not qualify for the Small Floral Grants Scheme Click here to make an application to the Small Floral Grant Scheme. Applications close Friday 13 December 2024 The Police Service of Northern Ireland urge the public not to travel and stay indoors during Storm Éoywn Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “We are now in the red weather warning phase of Storm Éoywn This means there is a significant risk to life and the public should not travel during this time and stay at home “There is currently severe disruption to the road network and overnight we received 70 reports of trees down and other debris on the roads We expect this number to increase over the course of the day “This is being treated as a major incident and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to assist with this operation I have met with the Strategic Coordination Group and continue to keep the First Minister and deputy First Minister updated “We have additional officers stood up today and will be ready to respond to calls where required Members of the public should only contact 999 in an emergency “We anticipate serious disruption across our road network health services and other public services I continue to urge people be prepared and ensure you have emergency lighting such as torches easily accessible in the event of power cuts Have ready access to additional blankets or sources of warmth in the event your heating supply is disrupted Details of road closures are available on the Traffic Watch NI website: https://orlo.uk/ySHmg A vibrant job fair held at Millennium Court on Wednesday 28th March attracted a strong turnout of job seekers and local employers and Craigavon Borough Council to employment growth and workforce development across the area Organised by the Council’s Labour Market Partnership (LMP) in collaboration with the local Jobs and Benefits Office the event featured leading businesses from various sectors Job vacancies were available from major employers such as as Eventsec Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with potential employers and support schemes designed to enhance their employability “These job fairs are a crucial initiative to connect local people with employment opportunities ensuring that businesses can access the talent they need to grow while supporting our residents in finding meaningful work The turnout today highlights the demand for job opportunities and the enthusiasm of employers to invest in our local workforce.” Labour Market Partnership job fairs take place throughout the ABC borough during the year providing attendees with a list of available vacancies information on training and self-employment opportunities and practical advice to enhance their job prospects For more information about the work of the Labour Market Partnership, visit www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/lmp