Click on image to enlarge
July 16, 2025
Stafford: Water disruption NOW the 18th July on Officers MQ and MQ estates Beaconside 18th July 2025
Note date change from 11th July to 18th July
Please be advised that there will be disruption to the water supplies at the following locations and times:
Officers MQ's 18th July 09.30 to 11.30
MQ Estates 18th July 13.30 to 15.30
Information provided by Stafford HIVE
Assigned overseas? Have your say on Service family life
Survey link in text below:
If you and your partner are assigned overseas, Defence wants to hear from you on what Service family life is like. Share anonymous feedback in the Overseas Families Survey.
Tell Defence what information and support has helped you and your family while serving overseas, and what could be better. Here are some areas you’ll be asked about in the survey:
- spousal / partner employment
- education and childcare
- communications
- safeguarding
How to complete the survey
You can complete the survey online. You and your partner can share your views individually using same survey link. The survey is open to all Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / civil partners. Please be assured that survey responses are anonymous.
You have until Saturday 30 August to make your voice heard.
Lichfield: Pinnacle and Amey Housing Surgery - Tuesday 22 July
Bovington: Citizens Advice sessions at Bovington HIVE every Thursday - Free advice & support
Available to all Garrison personnel, spouses, partners, reserves, veterans, civil servants, MOD contractors and local civilian community. Confidentiality guaranteed.
Appointments are not necessary, just turn up. First come, first serve basis.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Weeton: AFC Fylde Community Foundation - Summer Activity Camp 21st July - 29th August
Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE
Dorset: Lulworth Castle Camp Bestival Thurs 31st July - Sun 3rd Aug
Credit: Thefestivalcalendar.
Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams is a family-friendly UK music festival.
Music performances by top artists, including Sir Tom Jones, Sugababes, and Basement Jaxx.
A dedicated kids' area with over 100 activities and performances.
Comedy shows and DJ sets.
Family-friendly entertainment throughout the festival.
Camping options available.
More details HERE
Tickets can be purchased online at campbestival.net or in person at Discover Purbeck Information Centre in Wareham
Music performances by top artists, including Sir Tom Jones, Sugababes, and Basement Jaxx.
A dedicated kids' area with over 100 activities and performances.
Comedy shows and DJ sets.
Family-friendly entertainment throughout the festival.
Camping options available.
More details HERE
Tickets can be purchased online at campbestival.net or in person at Discover Purbeck Information Centre in Wareham
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Weeton: AFC Fylde Summer Football Camp for ages 5 - 12
Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE
Blandford: Garrison summer activity week starting Mon 28th July. Closing date for bookings Fri 18th July
Click on poster above to enlarge
To register interest please complete the form: HERE
Printed forms available from the Williams Building, Blandford Camp.
Or Email: BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk
Or Email: BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk
Bovington & Lulworth (Garrison families) are welcome to attend the movie on Fri 1st Aug.
Watch trailer HERE
Please contact the HIVE 01929 403185 or BGSU (Blandford) 01258 481938 regarding booking and access onto Blandford camp.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE via BGSU welfare team.
Bovington: Growing together (under 1s) new sessions start Tues 16th Sep. Sign up now.
Click on poster above to enlarge.
Location: Bovington Children's Centre (Holt Road by Bovington Academy School)When: Tuesdays 1030 - 11:30
Dates: 16th 23rd & 30th Sept - 7th 14th & 21st Oct
Weeton: AFC Community Foundation - Girls Football Holiday Camp 28th July - 1st August
Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE
Staffordshire: S.E.N. Family Swim - Wednesdays at Burntwood Leisure Centre
This swim session runs on Wednesdays throughout the summer holidays
Information provided: Central HIVE Hub
Staffordshire: Craft and Crumb Sessions at Lichfield Cathedral - 11-22 August
Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub
Grantham: Important Notice re. Married Quarter areas
Keeping the estate tidy/litter free and safe is everyone's responsibility.
For Health and Safety, pathways and roads should be clear of play equipment.
Reminders about Garden Waste Removal, charges and responsibilities. If you are departing/relocating on posting, please gift your green bin to someone who may want it or ask for the council to remove. For more information on Green Bins: https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/bins-street-care-recycling-and-commercial-waste/garden-waste-collections
For details of the local/nearest recycling centre: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/grantham-recycling-centre - Thank you.
Information provided by Grantham HIVE
Grantham: Summer Activities Grantham Tennis Club
Military discount on some activities!
Information provided by Grantham HIVE
Grantham: Timetables for free Summer activities at Belton Lane and Swingbridge Children's Centres
Information provided by Grantham HIVE
Northern Ireland: Park Life 2025 - Lisburn & Castlereagh Council launches its Summer Programme of Events
For more details, please click here
Information provided by HIVE NI
July 15, 2025
The Ripple Pond Summer 2025 Newsletter: Family Support together
Click poster to enlarge & link below to view The Ripple Pond Summer 2025 Newsletter online.
Dorset: Farmer palmers summer fun from Thurs 24th July - Sun 31st Aug
Farmer Palmers have a jammed packed diary of events planned and in addition to the play areas and animals to see there will be Wet the Western tractor trailer rides and foam parties every Wednesday and Friday.
Disney singers will perform every Thursday and the maize maze and sunflower field will be ready to explore soon.
Location: Farmer Palmers, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU
Wherever your assignment order is taking you, HIVE is here to provide the local information!
If your posting is in the UK you can find our blog and location guides here. Please use our MS Forms enquiry function for any additional locations or if you have any enquiries.
Are you assigned overseas? If you’re posted to an overseas location where we have a HIVE, you will find information – plus our local office’s contact details – at:
• Belgium (SHAPE)
• Brunei
• Brunssum
• Cyprus
• Gibraltar
• Naples
• Sennelager
Posted elsewhere overseas? Don’t worry if your new location is not listed above, the iHIVE covers the rest of the world, with over 100 location guides available plus online enquiry support.
Our iHIVE is tri-Service and is listed on the Overseas Supportability checklist as an action, so that Service personnel and families can obtain the relevant information they may each require, to ensure that their new location can meet each individual’s and family’s needs.
For those with MODnet access, Army HIVE’s SharePoint site can also be used to download our information sheets or ask questions – please go to our Overseas Postings area
If you’re relocating back to the UK from overseas, or moving within the UK, our SharePoint hosts guidance and resources in our Relocating within or back to the UK section.
Blandford: Little city summer holiday event Tues 29th July for ages 6 & under
Credit: Littlecitynorthdorset
Timings: 10am - 11:15am
Location: Durweston Village Hall, Church Road, Durweston, Blandford Forum, DT11 0QA
Our classic Little City setup with all your favourite role play areas including the Post Office, the Supermarket and the Construction Site!
PLUS - especially for summer, our gorgeous beach cafe! Watch out for the pesky seagull - he's WANTED in the police station.
Don't forget we also have our lovely school area; perfect for little ones preparing to start school in September.
We'll be visiting the lovely large hall in the village of Durweston which is located just 5 minutes outside of Blandford and easily accessed from local surrounding villages.
Each session is an hour and 15 minutes
One ticket includes one adult, extra adult tickets can be added at the checkout.
Non walking siblings are free
More details HERE and to book a session.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
We'll be visiting the lovely large hall in the village of Durweston which is located just 5 minutes outside of Blandford and easily accessed from local surrounding villages.
Each session is an hour and 15 minutes
One ticket includes one adult, extra adult tickets can be added at the checkout.
Non walking siblings are free
More details HERE and to book a session.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Catterick: ABF Race Day at Catterick Racecourse 5th Aug
Join us for thrilling racing action and family fun on Tuesday 5 August for the Salute Our Heroes Family Day in association with ABF The Soldiers' Charity.
We have six races scheduled and there will be free children's entertainment in the Course Enclosure, including an assualt course and laser battle zone!
Provisional timings
Gates open at 12 noon
First race: 2.30pm
Last race: 5.00pm
Electronic tickets for Catterick Races on 5th August. These are limited to two per order, and proof of service is required.
Please use the link below to book
www.catterickbridge.co.uk/Racing/Buy-Tickets/Salute-Our-Heroes-Family-Day
Information provided by North HIVE Hub
Defence update: Wraparound Childcare funding updates for autumn term 2025
Are you eligible to join the 9,000 Service families claiming up to £3,400, per child, per year, for their before and after school childcare costs?
What is Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?
The WAC scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of disability allowances), who are in full-time education in school or being home educated. WAC funding is available to eligible working Service families in the UK, assigned overseas within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S), assigned overseas and using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision or assigned overseas unaccompanied with family remaining in an eligible location.
Since September 2022 WAC has provided funding for 12,500 Service children's before and after school childcare.
WAC funding does not provide childcare spaces, it is funding for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.
Wraparound childcare is also known as ‘Out of School care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland.
Blackpool: Air Show - 9th & 10th August 2025
The programme will showcase the very best in British aviation with an incredible line-up of amazing flying machines and some of the country’s most talented pilots.
Don't miss a moment of action at Blackpool Air Show. Here are the full display times for Air Show Weekend:
Please note that timings are correct at the time of release and could be subject to change. For real-time updates during the two day event, please follow I Love Blackpool on Facebook, VisitBlackpool on X (formerly Twitter) and VisitBlackpool on Instagram.
Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE
Blandford: Garrison youth club (senior session) open Tues 15th July
Seniors: Tuesdays evenings
1800 – 1930 hrsFor Year 7 and above
Session: Free play – Air hockey, pool, games consoles, crafts
£1 entry, plus money for tuck shop
Juice and water provided
Below sessions are temporarily cancelled until further notice.
Juniors: Monday 16:00 until 17:00 (reception to year 3) £1.50
Inters: Mondays 17:30 until 19:00 (year 4 to year 6) £1 plus £1 for tuck shop.
Please keep checking the HIVE blog (Blandford notices) for updates.
July 14, 2025
Blandford: Garrison cinema showing of 'Superman' Wed 16th July plus win a Superman merch bundle
To watch the
trailer click HERE
WIN A SUPERMAN MERCH BUNDLE
Ready to #LookUp? #Superman is out in cinemas July 11th! Warner Bros. Pictures UK and BFBS Cinemas offer you the chance to win.
Whether you’re a casual fan or a full-on cape-wearing crusader, this is your chance to wear the S on your chest and be SUPER. Click the link in the comments and enter for a chance to win! LINK: Superman competition | BFBS
This competition will run till the 25th of July.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Bovington: Bovitots parent, baby & child group sessions
(Term time only)
A relaxed friendly space for the little ones to play and for parents and carers to connect.
Everyone welcome.
Large indoor play area and fenced outdoor space with toys.Toilets and baby changing facilities.
Free car parking.
Poppies tearoom is adjacent to the Memorial Hall serving breakfasts, lunches, kids meals, beverages, hot/cold snacks & takeaway.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Dorset: Special Education Needs & Disabilities help and support for ages 0 - 25.
If you’re a bit unsure as to where to go first to find some help and advice relating to your child/young person’s needs then we have put together some information about some of the key places for resources and helpful people to speak to:
Our Local Offer provides information, advice and support for children and young people aged from 0 to 25 years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
Visit SEND Local Offer HERE
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
For more information and support services
Blandford: Garrison raceway kart track
Click on poster above to enlarge
Dorset: Bike nights at Poole quay - every Tuesday until end of summer
Credit: Letsgooutbournemouth&Poole
Previously known as Dream Machines, this popular event draws bikers from all over the country coming to show off their beautiful machines, meet up with fellow enthusiasts and compete for “Bike of the Night”, which is judged by a different representative from a local business or sponsor each week.
The event is free to spectators.
Click HERE for more details
Information provided by Bovington HIVEBovington: Garrison jobs
Search for full & part time vacancies at Bovington, Lulworth & Blandford Camp, HERE
(Use the search filters to refine location, contract, job type etc). Please note where it states Wareham this may indicate Bovington Camp.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
- Customer/food service assistants
- Cleaners
- Supervisors
- Department managers
- Facilities operatives
- Chefs/catering roles
- Mess (Accommodation) Stewards
Blandford: Garrison job vacancies
Use the search filter to refine role, contract hours etc or type Blandford Camp in Where, box for specific jobs on the Garrison.
Customer/food service assistants
Cleaners
Supervisors
Department managers
Facilities operatives
Chefs/catering roles
Mess (Accommodation) Stewards
Customer/food service assistants
Cleaners
Supervisors
Department managers
Facilities operatives
Chefs/catering roles
Mess (Accommodation) Stewards
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
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