Latest news with #Ards
BBC News
14-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chewing gum: Tackling a sticky issue in Ards and North Down
Chewing gum splattered streets in Ards and North Down are set for a fresh start as the council tackles one of its stickiest litter problems has received £27,500 in funding for a high-powered street washing machine, thanks to a grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force. The area's mayor, councillor Gillian McCollum, is delighted that the council is one of 52 across the UK to benefit from the clean-up said tourism and visitor footfall was an important part of the area's business economy and that "we want to do everything we can to make the area as attractive as possible". 'Gum comes right off' On the streets of Bangor, County Down, street cleaner and driver team leader Paul Agnew, said he believes the machine will be a real boost to their service."It is much more effective - the sweepers can't lift the gum," he explained. "This new machine heats up to 110C."There are specific chewing gum attachments for it, but we don't even need to use them because there is such high pressure - the gum just comes right off." 'I think it's disgusting' On Bangor's Main Street, residents had mixed feelings about the gum problem, but welcomed the council's Uprichard, 78, believes we should go even further to tackle the issue."It's disgusting, it really is such a bad look," he said."We should do what they do elsewhere which is ban it." Cecilia Adu, 75, believes gum littering in Bangor is not as bad as other cities in the UK."It isn't as rampant here. I lived in England before and it was worse."However, I still think the money is still worth spending," she Bangor resident, Rain Barago-Maurer, 24, said it was a problem she was very aware of, particularly near the marina. "It is definitely something I have noticed in Bangor and it would be a great investment."I don't chew gum myself because I don't like to have litter and then have nowhere to dispose of it," Rain told BBC News NI. "There also needs to be some small bins scattered around the area designated for chewing gum." 'Removing gum a huge problem' According to Keep Britain Tidy, councils across the UK spend, on average, around £7m annually trying to remove Chewing Gum Task Force (CGTF) is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars, Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10m spread over five McCollum said gum could become a "huge problem" if it was not disposed of correctly due to the length of time it takes to decompose."We also know from our street cleaners who work for the borough that removing the gum is a huge problem," she added. 'Reinforcing good behaviour' A report from social enterprise Behaviour Change revealed that in areas treated under the CGTF scheme, gum littering was reduced by as much as 80% within two months, benefits that were still evident six months later thanks to targeted cleaning and prominent there are currently no plans for special signage in Ards and North Down, McCollum believes cleaner streets alone will act as a deterrent. "It has the knock on effect of discouraging people to dispose of gum more responsibly," she said."It is really just reinforcing good behaviour. A clean tidy appearance encourages people to take pride in their area and act responsibly." Established by Whitehall's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the CGTF is run by charity Keep Britain grant will allow Ards and North Down council to roll out the gum removing machine across Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Holywood and Donaghadee.
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ards' Grace Davison ‘ecstatic' as she claims bronze at European Aquatics Championships
That, along with John Shortt's gold in the 100m Backstroke, helped Ireland to claim two medals as the final night of the Championships got underway, bringing their medal tally up to four, one gold and three bronze. Davison produced a personal best time of 2:14.05 to claim her second bronze in two days having won in the 100m Freestyle on Saturday night. The Paris Olympian had a fight on her hands and showed her steel throughout the race. As Davison and her competitors headed into the freestyle leg, the Ards swimmer showed the fight to get her hand on the wall first and light up the blocks, winning her third European Junior bronze by 0.14 of a second. After the race, Davison said: 'I'm ecstatic, I'm very glad it's all over, I've had a lot of racing this week. Going through the heats, Semis and Finals isn't something that I was really used to, but we've had to do a lot more of it with Olympic Trials last year, the Irish Open this year, I'm definitely getting used to it but it is hard work. "Last night took it out of me… third tonight, I'm over the moon.' On winning bronze in a tightly contested race, she added: 'It was pure grit and determination. I know how it feels from winning a medal last year, it feels so much better this year, especially to walk away with two individually. "For Ireland to come away with four is unbelievable, for people back home, even the younger ones will definitely look up to that. For Ireland to be consistently on the medal table, and high up at all levels is amazing. '(The support) is unreal, you probably don't see much of it on the livestream, the guys are all here for every Semi-Final, every Final, some even the heats. To walk out and hear all of them is unbelievable, we have been one of the loudest. "To have so many parents here is great, my parents and sister are here, they've never all watched me swim at something like this, I really feel the support from here and back home.' Davison will now set her sights on the World Junior Championships at the end of August in Otopeni, Romania. On the conclusion of the championships, interim Swim Ireland Performance Director Andrew Reid said: 'What a finish to an unforgettable European Aquatics Junior Championships. Grace dug deep in the 200m IM to add another win bronze to her medal collection. "Across the meet our team delivered four podium finishes, one top eight finish, four top-16 finishes, two new Irish records and 11 personal best swims. From our seasoned veterans to the rising stars making their national team debut, every athlete stepped up, representing Ireland with pride, passion, and determination. "Well done athletes, team staff and home programme coaches for all your hard work.'
Belfast Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The must-see fixtures in this season's unpredictable Championship
This year's Playr-Fit Championship campaign will kick-off on Friday, August 8 when Ards and Ballinamallard United clash at Clandeboye Park. But the second tier really gets into the swing of things the next day with five intriguing games, including a clash between two promotion hopefuls Annagh United and Limavady United.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Portadown sign stopper Moore from Championship side Ards
Portadown have signed goalkeeper Alex Moore, who will join the club upon the expiration of his contract at Ards. Moore began his career at Linfield, making eight appearances for the Blues as well as having two separate loan spells at Dungannon Swifts. Advertisement He left Linfield in 2022 to join Ards and he made 90 appearances across three seasons with the Championship club. The 26-year-old becomes the Ports second summer signing after the arrival of Jamie Rea from Loughgall. Ports boss Niall Currie said he was "delighted" to sign the goalkeeper. "We almost got him last season, but to get a keeper of Alex pedigree to come in is wonderful," he told the club's website. "His best years are ahead but the experience he has now makes him absolutely perfect for us next season." Moore added: "I'm delighted to sign for Portadown, it's a massive club with a huge support and fan base. "It is clear that the club is moving in the right direction and this is something that I am excited to be a part of."
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Portadown sign stopper Moore from Championship side Ards
Portadown have signed goalkeeper Alex Moore, who will join the club upon the expiration of his contract at began his career at Linfield, making eight appearances for the Blues as well as having two separate loan spells at Dungannon left Linfield in 2022 to join Ards and he made 90 appearances across three seasons with the Championship 26-year-old becomes the Ports second summer signing after the arrival of Jamie Rea from boss Niall Currie said he was "delighted" to sign the goalkeeper."We almost got him last season, but to get a keeper of Alex pedigree to come in is wonderful," he told the club's website."His best years are ahead but the experience he has now makes him absolutely perfect for us next season."Moore added: "I'm delighted to sign for Portadown, it's a massive club with a huge support and fan base. "It is clear that the club is moving in the right direction and this is something that I am excited to be a part of."
