Tag Archives: East Antrim

Beggs Represents East Antrim at WW1 Centenary Service

East Antrim representative Roy Beggs MLA attended the centenary service at St Anne’s Cathedral to commemorate the start of WW1. Roy Beggs said “It is important to remember those who fought in the War in order that Europe could retain its freedom.  I would urge East Antrim residents to visit the MAC  before the 17th August  to view a Graham Gingles presentation which is named after Robert McGookin, a local East Antrim man who fought in WW1 who wrote a series of war diaries.”

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Giro d’Italia can Showcase East Antrim

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr says he is delighted that the world renowned bicycle race the Giro d’Italia  is taking in so much of the East Antrim constituency when it arrives In Northern Ireland for 3 stages next May. Roy, who is a keen cyclist himself said: “It is fantastic news that the Giro d’Italia will be passing along the Antrim Coast road on the Saturday stage of the race on 10th May next year.  We will be able to catch the event passing through Carnlough, Glenarm, Ballygally, Larne, Glynn, Magheramorne, Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Whiteabbey as it heads to Belfast.  This has echoes of last year when the Olympic touch relay made its way through a long stretch of East Antrim along the Coast Road. This is another wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful part of the world and really develop our tourism potential. I would love to see … Continue reading

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Residential Homes Closure Proposal Causing Uncertainty and Stress

Speaking about the local implications of the current proposals to shut the all the remaining Northern Trust Residential Homes local Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs commented: “This consultation has caused great short term uncertainty and stress for vulnerable residents and their families.” I have asked questions and made public comment at Stormont highlighting this issue since Transforming Your Care was published late in 2011. I also highlighted my concerns in my response to the consultation document.  In the background I have been working with relatives of residents in the Lisgarel in Larne helping to establish a Friends of Lisgarel support group. That work is on-going Sadly, rather than acknowledge and address these concerns, Health officials and the Minster appear to want to accelerate the closure programme. From personal family experience over the past year, I have seen how vital respite and rehabilitation services have been provided at these Trust Residential … Continue reading

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Roy Raises East Antrim Jobs at Stormont

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs has again raised the issue of the local economy and job creation at the Assembly. He asked the Minister for Employment and Learning “what measures he has introduced to address unemployment in East Antrim following the significant local job losses.” In reply the range of schemes an services offered by Jobs and Benefits Offices in the area were listed including the Steps to Work and Pathways to Work programmes. Under the Collaboration and Innovation Fund, just under £4 million has been allocated to eight organisations, to help 1,500 unemployed young people from greater Belfast and East Antrim to get into further education, employment or training. The Minister also made mention of the recent Jobs Fair co-hosted by Larne Borough Council and Ledcom in the Town Hall and claimed “ in the period April to December 2012 the Employment Service helped 1,250 people … Continue reading

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Beggs Decries Bank Withdrawal from East Antrim

Commenting on the imminent closure of Bank of Ireland branches in East Antrim, Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr said: “With closures of branches announced for Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballyclare, Bank of Ireland are effectively withdrawing from our district. They seem to be leaving local customers with little alternative but to take their business elsewhere.” Mr Beggs added, “ I have been advised by the Bank of Ireland that they are “are investing in a modern branch network that provides customers with easy access to banking services and is fully integrated with our online, phone and mobile channels.” However, a large percentage of our community, particularly the older generation are used to the personal touch that a local bank provides and are not up to speed with or confident in online Banking.” “ Coming hard on the heels of the closure of the Northern Bank in Whitehead, and the recent … Continue reading

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