Big Hits Radio UK Broadcasting

24/12/2025

🎄CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR BANK HOLIDAY REFUSE COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS 🎄

♻ Household Bin Collections ♻
Please make sure your container is set out for collection on the appropriate day by 7:00am.

👉 In week beginning Monday 22 December 2025:
Monday 22, Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December - collection as normal. If your collection is due on Thursday 25 December, bins will be collected on Friday 26 December 2025.
👉 In week beginning Monday 29 December 2025:
Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December - collection as normal. If your collection is due on on Thursday 1 January, bins will be collected Friday 2 January 2026.

You can check your collection days in the Binovation app.

Reminder: – please be neighbourly on bin collection days and bring bins back in as soon as you can after collection. It is the responsibility of the householder to bring bins back in / on to their property.

Please do not leave bins/containers sitting out on pavements where they create an obstruction and are a potential hazard to people and property.

♻ Household Recycling Centres ♻
Household Recycling Centres at Balloo, Ballygowan, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood, Kircubbin, Millisle, Newtownards and Portaferry will be CLOSED on:

👉 Wednesday 24 December 2025
👉 Thursday 25 December 2025
👉 Friday 26 December 2025
👉 Thursday 1 January 2026

Don't forget to book your slot: access to our HRCs is by appointment only. More details about opening hours and service arrangements via https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/Recycle

22/12/2025

Chris Rea, known for festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, dies age 74
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-12-22/chris-rea-known-for-festive-hit-driving-home-for-christmas-dies-age-74

20/12/2025

Start your Christmas week by tuning in to Big Hits Radio UK on Sunday.

07/12/2025

Make sure you post cards and parcels as early as possible so they arrive in time.

18/11/2025

Take extra care on the roads and be prepared for the challenges of winter driving: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/news/prepare-winter-driving-conditions

Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Police Service of Northern Ireland Share the Road to Zero

18/11/2025

There is a Met Office weather warning for snow and ice from midnight tonight to 12pm tomorrow (Wed 19 Nov).
There could be hazardous driving conditions and travel delays.
Take extra care.
Info and advice: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/snow-ice
Department for Infrastructure Belfast City Council Derry City & Strabane District Council Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Ards and North Down Borough Council Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mid Ulster District Council Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Police Service of Northern Ireland

14/11/2025

📅 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

⭐ Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre is back!⭐

Support your local artists and craftspeople this Christmas by purchasing unique, handmade gifts for your loved ones at the Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre!

Featuring a variety of artists and makers from the Ards and North Down Borough Council area, there will be something for everyone - why not also treat yourself!

Complementary gift wrapping and festive refreshments available, as well as seasonal interludes of live music from local musicians.

📍 Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards
📅 Late Night Shopping: Fri 5 Dec | 4pm - 8pm
📅 Small Business Saturday: Sat 6 Dec | 10am - 4pm

⭐ If you want to be kept informed with updates and exhibitor announcements, then join the Facebook event page here: https://fb.me/e/6SlLLwvhY

ℹ For more information visit: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/creative-peninsula-christmas-fayre

14/11/2025

Season of Sparkle in Ards and North Down ✨

This year, we’re celebrating a little differently in both Bangor and Newtownards! Instead of one single Switch On event, each location will enjoy two full days of festive fun and entertainment to mark the festive season.

Entertainment will spread throughout the two days and focus on local shopping, markets, and family fun that make the season so special.

✨ Bangor Weekend Event: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November

Christmas in the City
Bangor Castle and throughout the City Centre
Sat 1pm–7pm and Sun 2pm–6pm

Mark the beginning of the festive season in the City of Bangor — enjoy live music, Christmas cheer, and plenty of shopping to get you into the holiday spirit. Don’t forget to pick up your Christmas Passport (Sat 22 Nov only), offering festive fun throughout the city with local businesses providing seasonal treats and surprises!

Lights will be going on, in Bangor, Saturday 22 Nov at 6pm

Organised in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council and Bangor Chamber of Commerce.

Find out more - https://bit.ly/BangorChristmas2025

✨ Newtownards Weekend Event: Fri 28 and Saturday 29 Nov
Christmas in Conway Square
Newtownards Town Centre
Fri 11am – 7pm and Sat 10am – 7pm

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Newtownards as Conway Square comes alive with market stalls, music, crafts and storytelling — bringing seasonal cheer to the heart of the town. Be sure to collect your Christmas Passport (Sat 29 Nov only) and enjoy festive fun across the town, with local businesses offering special seasonal treats along the way.

Lights will go on in Newtownards on Friday 28 November at 4pm.

The fun continues Saturday 29 November. Come and Meet Paddington™ our favourite marmalade-loving bear, will be making personal appearances at intervals on Saturday between 11am and 3.30pm.

Organised in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council and Newtownards Chamber of Trade.

Find out more - https://bit.ly/NewtownardsChristmas2025

Free events | Charges apply to stall purchases

Find more inspiration from panto’s to festive events, markets, pop-up shops and exhibitions across the borough. There’s lots of festive fun happening ✨🎄👉https://bit.ly/ANDChristmas2025

| ShopBangor | Shop Newtownards

12/11/2025

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09/11/2025

27/10/2025