Author: Ally Simpson

Robin Williams

This morning we woke up to the sad news that the Oscar Winning Actor and comedian Robin Williams had died. Over the years Williams has provided some of the finest and funniest moments in film history, he was much loved by millions. He had often talked of his personal battle with alcohol and drugs and his publicist has stated that he had been battling severe depression. Robin was a famous actor and huge celebrity figure but as the world reacts, we want to stop and remember that he was a man battling an illness. His death is tragic. He was 63 years old. If you suffer from this illness, please talk to someone. If you know someone who suffers from depression, remind them they can talk to people and that there is no shame or embarrassment in admitting that they are ill. There is hope… One such avenue of help is Samaritans who do fantastic work locally. Samaritans Ballymena recognise that talking can be a great relief and this is why they offer to be there to listen 24hrs 7 days a week. Samaritans say; Listening without being judgmental, without telling someone that they shouldn’t feel like that which only demeans their feelings and will stop them talking, is what Samaritans do.  Samaritans don’t offer advice but will support you to find your way forward your way no matter how long you...

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The Fest at Raceview Mill Broughshane

We reckon The Fest at Raceview Mill in Broughshane is going to be awesome… Here’s what the organisers have to say… The Fest at Raceview Mill is a unique celebration of Northern Ireland’s locally crafted food, drinks, arts and music. Organised by local grassroots arts folk, the Fest will be an amazing event for all the family. The Fest at Raceview Mill will be the first major event at the exciting new arts and small enterprise venue on the site of the old Raceview Woollen Mill. If you want to get all the news about who will be at...

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20 Years since first online sale

Today marks the 20th Anniversary of what is widely accepted as being the first secure online sale of a product. That product was the album Ten Summoner’s Tales by Sting and it sold for $12.48 + Shipping. A year later Jeff Bezos launched Amazon.com… the story of online sales would change forever! Recent reports suggest that 95% of people in the U.K. now shop online regularly. Books, Clothes & Accessories and Music are our favourite online purchases, their respective high street sales are continually challenged by the demand online. We love the speed and ease with which you can buy just about anything on the Internet but, we also love our hometown and part of what we want to encourage on Ballymena Today is, a return to the High Street. Face-to-face interaction with a local retailer should be rewarding, informative and part of our community life… it’s vital. But are online sales always going to be the preferred option for everyone? “Click and collect is set to be the next big thing on the high street, as discerning online shoppers look to the convenience of the high street as much as their computer screens,” says one Tory Minister Britain is currently the biggest global user of the click and collect model and estimates suggest 82 Million deliveries of that type this year in the U.K. [source] Can you have the...

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The Corner House in Cushendun

Last week on Coffee NI I posted about having visited The Corner House in Cushendun – read that post here The Corner House is a cafe in Cushendun, owned and managed by The National Trust. See their Facebook page here. And, we loved it! Here are a few pictures… if you are down that way, be sure to drop in and say ‘hi’ to the lovely...

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We are Ballymena Today

It’s been over three years since we launched The Directory Page… Our idea was simple, we wanted to forge a real community between local businesses… a community that was both online and offline. Over the course of the last few years we have offered design services, business management and digital strategy to a wide range of local businesses and organisations. Building community can seem slow and can be frustrating… it’s not like just switching on a light… that said, we couldn’t be more encouraged by how our idea has developed since 2011. Listing your business/organisation in a directory is one...

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