EVENTS, MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
Activities take place in various locations which are noted below. Our activities are constantly under review. If you do not find an activity group you would like to join perhaps you would consider starting up an activity. If so please contact our activity coordinator. We are happy to support new groups. Our regular place for Events and Meetings is: Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH – Click Here For Map.
Ballymoney u3a 2025-2026
Events and Meetings
| Date | Event/Meeting | Venue | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 2 September 2025 | RLNI | Connect | Mark Mitchel. The charity that saves lives at sea. RNLI Volunteer lifeboat crews have to be ready to answer the call to rescue 24 hours a day 365 days a year. When the pager goes off you know that someone is in desperate of rescue. |
| Tuesday, 7 October 2025 | Information Day | Connect | Lots of exhibitors who will demonstrate or show their examples of what they do eg Specsavers, Chemist in Rasharkin, Coast, Fire prevention, Security, etc |
| Tuesday, 4 November 2025 | Musical entertainment | Connect | A musical entertainment will be provided. Group TBC |
| Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Anniversary Lunch | Royal Court Hotel | This is our 10th Anniversary , where members can enjoy Lunch at a discount. There will be musical entertainment provided. |
| Tuesday, 6 January 2026 | Pearl Hutchinson | Connect | Pearl will talk about her interest in History and especially Garvagh Museum and Heritage Centre which is home to almost three thousand artefacts. |
| Tuesday, 3 February 2026 | Ulster Wildlife Trust | Connect | Bringing Nature Back. The wildlife trust play a very important part in protecting our natural heritage. They focus on protecting habitats restoring ecosystems and supporting wildlife population. |
| Tuesday, 3 March 2026 | Alison Chestnutt | Connect | The Milk Hutt, is a family run dairy farm outside Portrush. They have been farming 1913. The Milk Hut is set up so the public can come and buy our delicious Farm Fresh Milk through a vending machine run by William and Alison Chestnutt. |
| Tuesday, 7 April 2026 | Siobhan Casey | Connect | Commissioner for Older People. The commissioner may examine a case of an older person in relation to a matter. Following her investigation she must produce a report and may make a recommendation. |
| Tuesday, 5 May 2026 | AGM | Connect | Final accounts and Minutes from last AGM. Followed by musical entertainment TBC |
| Tuesday, 2 June 2026 | Annual Outing | TBC | None at this moment. |
Activities
| Activity | Day | Time | Venue | Leader | Admins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 3rd Tuesday | 12.30 pm - 2.00 pm | Connect | Anne | None |
| Members meet to share stories be they fiction, memoirs or autobiography in a supportive and friendly environment. The most important aspects of the group are the enjoyment of writing different themes and topics. | |||||
| Line Dancing | Wednesday Weekly. Start Date 14 Jan | 12:45 pm - 1.45 pm | St Patrick's Hall | Margaret | Sarah and Fern |
| A group of people perform a series of steps in lines, and in step with music. No partners required. This a great way of getting some exercise without realising it. The upbeat music lifts the spirits, and whether in step or not, it doesn't matter - we just carry on! | |||||
| Storytelling | Monday (as advised) | 11 am | BC-HUB | Mary McCusker | None |
| Storytelling is the act of telling or writing stories, which are narratives that typically have a beginning, middle, and end. It is a universal human experience that transcends cultures and has been practiced since ancient times. The earliest forms of storytelling can be traced back to cave drawings and oral traditions, which served to convey experiences, morals, and cultural values. | |||||
| Tai Chi | Mondays weekly | 11.30 am to 12.30 pm | Holmes Memorial Hall | Chang Hai | Sarah and Don |
| Changhai is highly respected instructor in the world of Tai Chi - he is an 8th Dan. This Chinese marital art combines flowing movements, meditation and deep breathing. Health benefits include improved balance, mobility and coordination. | |||||
Locations
| Venue | Address |
|---|---|
| BC-HUB | Ballymoney Community Hub, Robinson Hospital Site |
| BCRC | Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Acom Business Centre, 2 Riada Ave, Ballymoney BT53 7LH |
| British Legion | 11 Townhead Street, Ballymoney BT53 6BE |
| British Legion | 11 Townhead Street, Ballymoney BT53 6BE |
| Connect | 2 -10 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH |
| Holmes Memorial Hall | 75 Charlotte Street Ballymoney BT53 6AZ |
| Joey Dunlop Centre | 33 Garryduff Rd, Ballymoney BT53 7DB |
| NICO | Unit 9A , Ballybrakes Business Park, Ballybrakes Road, Ballymoney BT53 6LW · |
| St Patrick's Hall | 4a Queen Street, Ballymoney. BT53 6JA |
| St Patricks Church H | Victoria Street, Ballymoney BT53 6DW |
| Various | As advised by Activity Leader |
Activity costs are calculated on the number of participants and venue costs. In some cases there is no cost for the activity for example gardening. When a specialist tutor is invited to provide an activity this may incur an additional cost.
To discuss any activity or for any queries please contact the Activities Coordinator who will be happy to help you to choose the right activity. Some events such as computer courses may be repeated during the year.
Link with Glens and Dalriada u3a and Causeway u3a
You can also join activities in Glens & Dalriada by contacting Mark Gavin by email at: marku3a@yahoo.com and activities at Causeway u3a- see their website at: causewayu3a.org