Welcome To Bann Maine West Community Cluster

At the heart of the Ballymena Community
Sharing, Learning and working together in the Bannside Area

Projects

The Hub

In October 2021 Bann Maine West were delighted to launch a new project called ‘The Hub’ in Cullybackey. With the help of Lottery funding, we are renting space at The Maine Business Centre and have a Community Shop, Information Centre and are offering a range of classes. The community shop has a wide range of gifts and greetings cards with all profits going back into the local communities. We also have an information area where anyone coming in can find out more about what is going on in the area. Craft/card making and knitting/crochet classes are also currently being held at The Hub. The main purpose of the Hub is to have a welcoming area where people can come in to chat. We were also the first organisation to introduce a ‘Chatty Café’ scheme in partnership with an adjacent coffee shop to encourage people to come out and chat. The Hub is open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 3.30 pm.

Classes & Activities

Bann Maine West host a range of different classes and activities, ranging from flower arranging through to First Aid. Check out our latest classes on our Calendar.

Lunch & Learn

We run a very successful Lunch & Learn Project funded by Lottery which involves taking older people from each of our six areas – Portglenone, Grange, Cloney, Hillstown, Cullybackey and Tullygarley – to the Wild Duck in Portglenone once a month to enjoy a speaker and some lunch. Transport is also provided. We have between 45 and 50 seniors meeting each month to learn from a speaker such as the Consumer Council, enjoy lunch and most importantly enjoy the company and chat with each other. We also do a range of workshops and classes on a regular basis.

History Project

Bann Maine West Community Cluster (BMW) has been working on community relations projects for many years. In 2018 our History Group decided to investigate the First World War and how it impacted on our local, rural communities. The outcomes of this project was a book called ‘Remembering’ and also a database of more information on our history website. If you have any information you think might be of interest, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone 02825882281 or email admin@bannmainewest.co.uk.

Our main funders

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council

National Lottery Community Fund

National Lottery Heritage Fund

What our members say.

"Being part of Bann Maine West Community Cluster and greatly helped and supported our groups development over the years."

PEG

"We have so enjoyed all the activities, bus trips and workshops, making so many new friends. Something to look forward to. "

Lunch & Learn

"Our membership of Bann Maine West Community Cluster has enhanced our ability to carry our own objectives and working with the other groups is very rewarding"