Launch of Rotary Rest Space as part of Ballymena400 celebrations
- Amanda Jones
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Words by Melanie Christie Boyle and Lynda Bell, Photography by Ballymena Guardian.
Ballymena Business Centre, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ballymena, has officially launched a new Rotary Rest Space in Midtown Makers Gift Shop located on Church Street, Ballymena. This unique community initiative has been undertaken in celebration of Ballymena400. Guests were welcomed to the opening event by Debbie Chestnutt, Ballymena Rotary President, and Melanie Christie Boyle, Chief Executive of Ballymena Business Centre.
The newly launched Rotary Rest Space provides a warm and welcoming environment where visitors, shoppers and members of the local community can relax, learn about Ballymena’s rich 400-year history, and engage with Midtown Makers Gift Shop staff team and artisans. The space also offers an opportunity to highlight the work and impact of the Rotary Club of Ballymena both locally and globally.
More than 30 guests attended the launch event, including representatives from other Rotary clubs, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ballymena BID, and charities supported by the Rotary Club of Ballymena. This initiative was made possible following an offer from Ballymena Business Centre, to dedicate space within Midtown Makers Gift Shop to showcase Rotary’s work and values.
Lynda Bell, Past President of The Rotary Club explained that members support over 40 charities addressing a wide range of issues including poverty, domestic abuse, mental health, loneliness, homelessness, special needs and serious illness. The Club engages in a wide range of community projects which aim to improve the lives and conditions of people in Ballymena. In addition, a number of Youth Projects are offered to local schools, providing students with opportunities to realise their potential.”
The Club has also been recognised internationally for its contribution to the eradication of Polio, receiving certificates of appreciation from Rotary International. In 2020–21, the Club was awarded the prestigious Rotary Citation in recognition of its exceptional work during the COVID 19 pandemic, the only club in Northern Ireland to receive this honour.
In addition to a permanent Rotary display, the Rest Space will host a rotating exhibition highlighting the work of local charities. The inaugural showcase features Macmillan Cancer Support, with representation at the launch event.
The space also includes memorabilia celebrating the Club’s Honorary Member, Liam Neeson, who accepted honorary membership citing the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” as deeply meaningful.
The Rotary Rest Space was officially opened by Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, who thanked Ballymena Business Centre for sponsoring the space and praised the Rotary Club of Ballymena for its continued dedication to supporting local charities and enriching community life in Ballymena highlighting
‘this new Rotary Rest Space represents more than an exhibition, it is a tranquil haven in the heart of the town, offering a place for reflection, connection and community engagement’.
Rotarian James Perry, Chairperson, Ballymena Business Centre, referred to the importance of marking the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the town of Ballymena.
‘The Business Centre’s ongoing investment in its Church Street premises provides the opportunity to celebrate Ballymena400 in a very practical way. The new Rotary Rest Space represents a unique community partnership between the Business Centre and the Rotary Club. This new facility offers a town centre destination where artisans, visitors, community and charities can connect in a nurturing and supportive environment. Alongside the Rotary Rest Space, Ballymena Business Centre has also recently introduced a new Tourism Information Hub in collaboration with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. These initiatives not only regenerate our town centre offering but will also lay the foundation for a programme of community focused workshops promoting peace & reconciliation, health and wellbeing, creativity and enterprise to be launched later in this important 400th Anniversary Year for Ballymena’.
Past President Lynda Bell, on behalf of the Rotary Club, expressed her sincere thanks to CEO Melanie Christie Boyle and the Directors of Ballymena Business Centre.
“The Centre became the Club’s first Corporate Member in 2023 and, since then, has provided unstinting support for the Club. This dedicated space right in the Town Centre, provides a wonderful opportunity to ‘Tell the Story of Rotary’”.
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