This is Ballymena Guardian’s headline for their story on Ballymena ASAP day.

What a FANTASTIC headline! Thanks Carla, Jim and all at the Guardian. We hope to scan the story and get it up here, for all to see.

Baglady emailed Carla: I’m so pleased and to be honest, relieved that you took the trouble to get there and get the story. Very good communications. Makes all the difference to the strength of the story.

We desperately need good, strong, positive environmental reporting now, everywhere in the world. And we’re only just starting to get it,

You’ll probably all be glad to know that Baglady Productions has not ceased production in Northern Ireland. Far from it.

Flushed with the Ballymena ASAP success, the team will now take it out to/on the whole of Northern Ireland. And of course Baglady’s stickin’out in Australia. Loads of Irish here! We’re planning an All Fools Day gathering on April 1. Maybe you can join us ASAP. We have no time to lose.

Blessings from Down Under, Shirley/Baglady

now please read the text of the article…

THE GREENING OF BALLYMENA STEP UP A GEAR!

by Carla Speer

BALLYMENA’S drive to become a centre of ‘green’ living excellence stepped up a gear last week with an event in the Braid that brought together recycling experts and community groups.
The event was organised by, Baglady Productions, the brainchld of ‘Baglady’ Shirley Lewis, who although now living in Australia, joined the event by video message.
It attracted guests speakers from the council, the Department of the Environment, and a range of community groups.
The event was well attended and guests included the Mayor, councillor Hubert Nicholl, local students and businesses.
They were treated to a programme filled with information on the environment, centred on issues such as developing partnerships and empowering communities with sustainable actions.
The ASAP workshop “highlighted the fact that partnership is very necessary,” that is according to Jim Kitchen, Project Manager of Transition Town Whitehead and Soil Association.
Mr Kitchen told the Guardian: “Ballymena is a rural hinterland, the local inhabitants will have different answers to people who live in bigger cities. However, there were some good examples raised at this event which replicate our communities interests.”
Ballymena Borough Council are taking the initiative of Baglady Productions and bringing it forward to create a greater awareness of sustainability to Ballymena.
Clive Kyle, from the council, Assistant Director of Development, Leisure and Cultural Services, said he has full support from the council on the issue.
He said: “ We already have cluster groups, we want to develop sustainability, and develop a strategy as soon as possible.”
Mr Kyle continued: “The corporate plan will include measures, such as community planning to improve the issue of sustainability in Ballymena.”
A spokeswoman from Baglady Productions said the aim was to get the true message of sustainability out there to people of Ballymena.
Iris Cody from Baglady Productions offered her sincerest thanks to the hard work and dedication from Mr Kyle. She commented: “Clive was a great asset throughout the entire process. We could not of done it without his support and kindness.”
Ms Cody spoke warmly of Shirley Lewis, she said: “The entire process began with Shirley, she dedicated her ten years in Northern Ireland to the people of Ballymena to help them. She dedicated her time to living ASAP and bringing people together.”