David G Wall (Secretary) (Glenarm Village Committee Ltd)
| would like to thank all members for supporting the Village Committee over the past Year. As this report identifies, Committee members and residents of the village have led an impressive range of work. Particular thanks to the Office Bearers for taking on responsibility for the various roles within the Committee. Leslie Morrow (Chairperson), Linda Hyland (Minutes Secretary) Mona Hyndman (Asst Secretary), Ashleigh Moran (Vice Chair), Sharon Boyle (Treasurer) Frances Wilson (Asst Treasurer), Grants Officer (Kerry Rhodes).
Thanks to Steering Group members for attending meetings during 2025 and to Steven Kirby for reporting back to Village Committee.
Steering group:
|‘Adrian||Alexander|Mona___| Hyndman_||
|---|---|
|[Leslie
Frances||Morrow [Dave [Wall |
[Wilson|||
Eglinton Yard.
Since 2024, the Barn and Yard have continued to provide accommodation for a wide range of events including the monthly markets and car boot sales and one-ff events including an Art and Literary Festival in August and events to celebrate festivals including Christmas and Halloween. The Committee was delighted that the World Rowing Championships that attracted more than 2000 people to the village made extensive use of the yard facilities
A contract for the lease of the Eglinton Barn and Yard between Mid and East Antrim Council and the Village Committee has been agreed that provides for the Committee’s oversight and management of the Yard facilities.
Further developments for the Yard will be taken forward in 2026 with a budget now agreed from the Peace Plus Fund to install a modular unit in the Eglinton Yard. The Peace Plus project is a cross-border initiative that includes a programme of support for three years to encourage use of the Barn, support for the committee and development of additional
activities for the community. The programme links other community groups to create a network to promote connection, support and learning
Friendship Club
In 2025 weekly events were organised by club members and visiting guests. Trips were organised to Colemans Garden Centre and to the Belfast Opera House. The Club, working with Glenravel Friendship Club will organise 8 storytelling sessions in during 2026. This will culminate with a meeting of both groups at the end of the sessions as happened in 2025.
Particular thanks to Frances and Mona and to all members who led particular events during the year, including quizzes, musical events and storytelling.
Glenarm in Bloom:
Members and residents completed extensive work planting flowerbeds throughout the village, work that was complemented by additional flower baskets and planting by Mid and east Antrim Council. As for all Village Committee work, this is delivered entirely through volunteers. Along with other committee members , the Glenarm in Bloom group is exploring opportunities for involving younger people in the village.
What’s On:
Kerry Rhodes has continued to publish a What's On for the village every 2 months with copies available in shop etc. All local churches/events are invited to advertise their activities. Thank you, Kerry.
New members.
John Dougan was appointed as a full member at the 2025 AGM.
Markets:
Over the past five years the Community Market has been led and successfully developed by Deb Biddleston as part of Village Committee activities. Following discussions during 2025, it has been agreed that the market will continue as an independent enterprise, separate from the Village Committee. A lease has been agreed between the Village Committee and Deb Biddleston for the use Eglinton Barn for 11 one day markets during 2026.
Christmas Tree Lights Switch On
The Switch on drew a very large crowd into the Barn. Thanks to Dom Troulan and Brian Black for the supply and erection of the new tree and to Ashleigh Moran and the children of Seaview Integrated School for their carol singing. Thanks for the work of all those involved in the erection of Christmas tree lights and in particular for the work carried out over many years by Robert Smyth and Charlie Meban. Thanks to Thomas Reid and Leslie Morrow, for the erection of the lights in the Barn in 2025. Some improvements for next year’s event are planned including the acquisition of a stage for the various singing performances, and a permanent sound system to be purchased for the Barn.
Councillors
The Village Committee continues to have the support of four local Councillors: Andrew Clarke, Gerardine Mulvenna and Maureen Morrow and Ruth Lawrence. This is greatly appreciated by the Committee.
Telephone Box
The telephone box on Altmore Street which had been refurbished by Dom Troulan continues to be used as a library and looked after by Rosie Schaaps.
Collection Boxes
This continues to be a successful source of funds for the Committee with money collected going towards Village improvements. Our thanks to Wilsons Stores (Charlene), Coast Rd Inn (Patricia) and The Bridge Tavern (Stevie) for displaying the collection boxes in their premises. A sign produced by Dom Troulan asking motorhome users to donate contributions for the work of the Committee has been very successful in boosting the collections
Village Improvements.
Again thanks to Dom Troulan for his refurbishment of the Bachelors Seat, an historic location in the centre of the village to while away a few hours and to meet friends!
The Youth Committee
Work has continued in conjunction with Michael Crooks (Dept Education). Michael has a regular booking for the Bridge Hall and provides different activities for the young folk in the Village. During 2025 discussions were held to identify how the Committee may work more closely with young people. One Friendship club meeting in 2025 invited young people to attend. It is intended that more events will be planned in 2026 to incorporate young people.
Village Hall
Leslie and Jacky Geary continue to be responsible for the Village Hall and it is being used by groups such as Wildlife, Glenlough Choir, Erskine Financial, Friendship Club, Angling Club, Property Company, Preservation Trust, Michael Crooks (Youth), N | Opera.
Knotweed
Volunteers led the second year of the treatment programme in 2025, initiated in 2024 through the financial support of the Heritage Fund and Mid and East Antrim Council. Houses in the village were leafleted asking residents to report new areas of infestation. Two new sites of infestation were identified by residents. Drone footage of infested areas were taken to enable comparisons in future years of the effectiveness of treatment. Treatment in 2025 identified that there had been a substantial reduction in infestation in the Glenarm River site and in other treated sites in the village, albeit with some regrowth and infestation. The Knotweed group worked closely with MEA council to treat infestation on Bachelors Walk and in the Orange Field.. Two more residents will be trained in 2026 in identification and eradication of Knotweed. Thanks to all members of the Knotweed Group for their continuing efforts
Halloween Event
Another successful volunteer led event, organised under the leadership of Joanne Troulan was held to celebrate Halloween. Sixteen market stallholders attended,and a refreshments stall was provided by the Parent Teachers Association. A fireworks display, a treasure hunt and best dressed window prize together with a short film produced by Glenarm Youth Group headed up by Michael Crooks all contributed to a successful day. Thanks to Charleen Wilson, Village Stores who provided the prize for the best kept window.
Walks Around the Village
Following the completion of improvements of Bachelors Walk by Mid and east Antrim council in 2024, the Committee has continued to seek improvements to walks around the village. Discussions continue with the Forest Service about the need to improve access to Pheasants Glen.
Quarry
As reported in 2024 there is still no progress on the Quarry other than discussions at Steering Group meetings. Steven Kirby represents the Village Committee very well at these meetings and reports back to GVC. Housing has now been proposed in the quarry and currently under discussion along with access to the site from Coast Road.
Glenarm Arts and Literary Fayre
In August a two day fayre was held that includes 16 booksellers, storytelling, displays of photographers and artist, music sessions, discussion groups and a murder mystery performance hosted by Carnlough Library. More than 300 people attended the different events.