Monthly Archives: March 2012

Published on Thursday 22 March 2012 00:00 A CALL has been made for urgent action to be taken to enable the Glynn footbridge to be reopened to the public. The bridge, which links Jubilee Park to St John’s Church and Craiganboy Park in the village, was closed off by Larne Council on health and safety grounds last summer. And East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has urged the local authority to swiftly carry out any necessary repair work and update the community on the situation. He added: “At the time the bridge was closed, here were rumours circulating – which turned out to be false – that the bridge had been condemned and was going to be removed. “There has been some confusion over who is the owner of the bridge and therefore responsible for upkeep. However, the council told me at the time that they were investigating this and that … Continue reading →

Published on Tuesday 20 March 2012 12:59 EAST Antrim DUP MLA David Hilditch has rejected an Ulster Unionist call to give up his seat on Carrick Council. Former UUP councillor Roy Beggs MLA threw down the gauntlet following last week’s announcement by Alliance representative Stewart Dickson that he is to quit the Antrim Street authority this summer to concentrate on his Assembly role. Welcoming Mr Dickson’s decision to stop double-jobbing, Mr Beggs said: “Over a year ago, I took a clear decision to stand for the Assembly and not to stand for a second public office as a Councillor at the same time. “No one can be in two places at the one time. I welcome Stewart Dickson belatedly giving up double-jobbing, even though the electors in Knockagh are now going to have a co-opted councillor whom they did not actually elect. It would have been more democratic if like … Continue reading →

A commitment to bring 100 per cent high-speed broadband coverage to Northern Ireland has so far been an “empty promise”, according to East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs Jr. Speaking at a farmers’ meeting, the Ulster Unionist assemblyman said many residents and businesses in rural parts of the country are too far from their nearest exchange to receive ADSL broadband, let alone super-fast connectivity. “Whilst improved broadband services have been promised by government, many people in this and similar rural and even semi-rural locations remain isolated,” he was quoted by the Larne Times as saying. According to Mr Beggs, fixed-line broadband blackspots exist in several communities, including Ballynure, Carrickfergus and Gleno. Explaining the problem, the MLA said ADSL broadband is distance-dependent, meaning the signal is pushed down a copper line and will not provide fast and reliable connectivity if it has to travel too far. As well as criticising the government … Continue reading →

Published on Saturday 17 March 2012 00:00 LACK of broadband coverage and the removal of the Larne DARD office to Mallusk has resulted in some local farmers using wi-fi hotspots in local supermarkets. The difficulties facing the rural community were highlighted at a meeting on Friday in Gleno Valley Young Farmers’ Hall. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs Jnr, who organised the event, welcomed around 45 people keen to learn about alternative means of accessing broadband.” Mr Beggs said he had been pursuing the issue of lack of reliable availability in rural East Antrim for a number of years. The Ulster Unionist Assemblyman added: “I am very well aware of fixed-line broadband black spots between Gleno, Carrickfergus and Ballynure. Whilst improved broadband services have been promised by Government, many people in this and similar rural and even semi-rural locations remain isolated. “Northern Ireland was meant to be first region in Europe … Continue reading →

Published on Tuesday 13 March 2012 12:30 PUPILS from Carrick’s post-primary schools heard about the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing during a Youth Fair at Oakfield Community Centre. Hosted by the Carrickfergus Raising Attainment Group together with the Children’s Services Planning Locality Partnership, the event was attended by over 400 pupils from Carrick College, Carrickfergus Grammar, Downshire and Ulidia. A total of 28 voluntary and statutory organisations provided stands to give young people information about the services and activities that are available for them in the area.   Volunteers were also available to speak to young people about their hopes for the future and the type of facilities that they would like to see in Carrickfergus. The fair was opened by guest speakers Billy Ashe, local councillor and coordinator for Carrickfergus Community Forum, and Roy Beggs MLA. The Children’s Services Planning Locality Partnership works to co-ordinate existing youth … Continue reading →