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Showing posts with label NorthernIreland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NorthernIreland. Show all posts

October 1, 2026

Aldergrove: Aldergrove Army Cadet Experience Evening 8th Oct


National Cadet Week 2026, Come along and get to witness a First Aid Skills Evening and much more

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

September 25, 2026

Northern Ireland: Veterans Newsletter - NI - Issue 7


The lates issue for the Veterans Newsletter - Northern Ireland can be found at the link below.


The newsletter is full of useful information, along with details of upcoming events like Veterans Families Halloween Night, Breakfast clubs, Christmas lunch, Santa Experience and more.

September 11, 2026

Northern Ireland: Forces Wives Challenge Poppy Hike Northern Ireland 7th Nov 2026

Join us in Northern Ireland for the FWC Poppy Hike!

on Saturday 7th November 2026

We are thrilled that one of our 10 regional Poppy Hikes will be in Northern Ireland this year!

Get together with like-minded women in your area for a relaxed one day walk, which will have a focus on Remembrance.

Each walk will visit a war memorial or similar location and allow a pause for reflection

With tea and cake likely to be involved as well!
Check out the information below 👇 and hit the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom to bag your place!

Event details:

Date: Saturday 7th November, 2026

Timings: Meet at 10am at Crawfordsburn Country Park car park, near the public toilets. We aim to be finished around 2pm.

Route: We will explore one of the most beautiful sections of the Columban Way along the North Down coastline - a 14km circular route taking in a historic landscape that spans from the time of St Columbanus, through WW2, right up to the present day. We’ll finish the day with optional refreshments at the Woodlands Cafe, Crawfordsburn Country Park.

Cost: £10 - this is to be paid within 5 days of being offered a place (this cost is non-refundable). By emailing to say you would like a place, you are agreeing to the Booking Conditions which can be viewed here.

Food: This is not provided. Participants should bring their own packed lunch/snacks & drinks for the walk.

Dogs: Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on our challenges.

Insurance: All participants are strongly encouraged to take out their own personal accident insurance. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure security, safety and reduce risk, it is impossible to eliminate all risk. An electronic copy of the Accident Waiver will need to be signed prior to the event, this will be sent out via email.

Social Networking Sites (SNS): You are not permitted to share any of the event details outside of your immediate family and friend's network. Event pictures should not be shared onto SNS without authorisation from those within the picture. Individuals who do share their own picture onto SNS are reminded to ensure that your security settings are updated for family & friends only to view. Be mindful if sharing on SNS the contents of the picture, background or other personnel within the picture.

Kit List:
  • Walking boots/walking trainers with adequate ankle support
  • Rucksack (ensure contents waterproofed)
  • Comfortable clothing for walking, including a warm layer. We recommend keeping legs covered to help prevent tick bites.
  • Waterproof jacket & trousers
  • Warm hat & gloves
  • Sun hat/ sun screen/ sun glasses (if required)
  • Small first aid kit (including any personal medication and blister kit)
  • Mobile phone
  • Water bottle (min 1 litre of water)
  • Flask with hot drink (optional)
  • Something to sit on (plastic bag or small insulated mat)
  • Snacks/packed lunch for the walk
  • Walking poles (optional)

    Please note: Only FWC beanies/buffs/caps are allowed to be worn on the challenge not FWC t-shirts and hoodies where the words ‘Forces Wives Challenge’ are visible.

Information provided by Weeton HIVE

September 9, 2026

Northern Irland: Mountpanther Farm Park

The BEST Pumpkin Patch in County Down returns this October... and tickets go on sale TODAY at 7:00pm! 

The countdown is officially on!

Get ready for another unforgettable Halloween at Mountpanther Farm Park, packed with pumpkin picking, spooky adventures, family fun and so much more.

Tickets go live TODAY at 7:00pm, so be sure to set your alarm and secure your preferred date early.

Here's What's Waiting for You...

  • Step inside our spooky Science Lab
  • Brave the Haunted House... if you dare!
  • Halloween Scavenger Hunt
  • Explore County Down's favourite Pumpkin Patch
  • Fancy Dress Competition
  • Scarecrow Disco
  • Pumpkin Carving
  • Meet our Spooky Characters
  • Delicious Halloween Treats
  • Straw Maze
  • Amazing Halloween Photo Opportunities
  • Spooky Sweet Shop
  • Halloween Craft Corner
  • Plus even MORE spooky surprises throughout the park! ✨
And don't forget... your ticket includes everything else Mountpanther has to offer, making it the ultimate Halloween family day out in County Down! 

📅 Event Dates

10th & 11th October
17th & 18th October
 24th–31st October
Two sessions available each day
10:00am – 1:00pm
2:00pm – 5:00pm

For more information and how to book, click on the link below.

Mountpanther Farm Park

September 3, 2026

MOD ‘UK Nursery Authority’ childcare support: How to register and claim

From 1 September 2026, eligible working Service families who live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can get help with early years childcare costs.

If you would get 'free' (Government funded) childcare hours if based in England, Defence’s UK Nursery Authority (UKNA) childcare scheme will now help cover the difference in cost where you live.

It’s important to understand that UKNA does not give you a childcare space. It pays back money to eligible families who have already paid for early years childcare.

Who is eligible for UKNA

You may register for UKNA, if all the following apply:
  • You are a Regular or Full-Time Reserve (Full Commitment) member of the Service
  • Your family lives in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
  • Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) earn at least the same as 16 hours a week at the UK National Minimum or Living Wage
  • Neither parent (or the sole parent) earns more than £100,000 adjusted net income a year
  • Your child is recorded and verified on JPA
  • Your child is aged 9 months to 3 years old, in Scotland and Wales ​
  • Your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old, in Northern Ireland
  • You have an active Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account for your child: ‘active’ means you confirm your details every three months and get the top-up from HMRC when you add money
  • Your childcare provider accepts TFC payments – all UKNA claims must first be paid through your child's TFC account
  • Your child lives with you at least half the time, unless you're separated for Service reasons
How to register and claim

August 25, 2026

Northern Ireland: Back To School Contact Information

BACK TO SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION

With the new school term about to start, the Education Authority NI (EANI) have published contact details for any queries you may have in relation to Special Educational Needs (SEN) services, Free school meals and uniform grant, Home to School Transport, School Admissions and General enquiries.

Please see Useful Back to School contact information which can be accessed by the link below:

Back to School | Education Authority Northern Ireland

August 11, 2026

Northern Ireland: Vacancy - Employer Engagement Officer - closing date 11th September

VACANCY – EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Applications are invited for an Employer Engagement Officer with the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Northern Ireland (RFCA NI). This part-time Crown Service (Civil Service grade AO equivalent) post is available for an immediate start.

RFCA NI

RFCA NI is one of 13 autonomous arms-length bodies of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with Crown Status. The RFCA NI’s role is to provide first-class support to tri-service reserves and MOD-sponsored cadet forces across Northern Ireland.

The Role

The RFCA NI Employer Engagement Officer provides business support to the delivery of Defence Relationship Management (DRM) activity across Northern Ireland. This includes supporting employer engagement, the Armed Forces Covenant, Employer Notification, Salesforce administration, employer engagement events and business reporting. The role includes building and maintaining professional relationships with employers, Reservists, Defence stakeholders and partner organisations while contributing to the effective delivery of the Defence Relationship Management objectives.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate strong communication and IT skills and be able to work at pace, both independently and as part of a team. Customer service experience and social media skills are desireable, though not essential.

A full job description is available from ni-info@rfca.org.uk.

The post holder will be required to work an 18.5 hour week (excluding lunchbreaks).

Salary and Benefits

The salary for the appointment at commencement is £13,825 per annum plus a Northern Ireland Allowance of £750 per annum. The successful candidate will be eligible to elect to join the Council of RFCAs pension scheme. This is a Career Average Revalued Earnings scheme (CARE).

The successful candidate will be entitled to 12.5 days’ annual leave entitlement on appointment, plus bank holidays. (Annual leave entitlement increases by 0.5 days per year up to 15 days; those with 5 years’ prior service with HM Forces/OGD will start with 15 days’ entitlement.)

Requirements

July 30, 2026

Northern Ireland - Royal Air Force, RAF Town Shows - Enniskillen 4th - 5th September

 
Explore careers, meet serving personnel and experience what the RAF is all about in a town near you.

Enniskillen 4th - 5th September

Find out more: https://jobs.raf.mod.uk/49MlA4H

#RAFTOWNSHOW

Information provided by HIVE NI

July 29, 2026

Northern Ireland: Young Aviators Day at Ulster Aviation Society - Saturday 22nd August

 

The Young Aviators Day is officially back on the calendar.
It’s a full day of learning, discovery, and a circuit flight for every participant. Open to members and non-members
*Ages 11-17yrs

​If you have a future pilot at home, this is the day they've been waiting for.
for an application: events@ulsterflyingclub.com


Information provided by HIVE NI


Northern Ireland: JAMBOREE - 5 weekends of free family fun - 1-31 August 2026


A MINI FAMILY FESTIVAL...

Get ready for JAMBOREE! – bringing five weekends of free entertainment, creative workshops, live performances and family fun to Victoria Square.

Every weekend has its own exciting theme, with something new to discover. From Irish music and dancing to flower power crafts, retro games and nostalgic 80s and 90s fun, JAMBOREE! is the perfect weekend outing for families of all ages.

Alongside themed activities, enjoy our vibrant JAMBOREE Fayre packed with fantastic local traders, treats and unique finds.

For more Information Click Here

July 28, 2026

Northern Ireland: The Wessex Cinema showings for August 2026

Northern Ireland: Out of this world adventure - W5 Space Explorer Academy - open until 31 Aug 26


Blast off on an out-of-this-world adventure this summer at the W5 Space Explorer Academy.

Step into an immersive training mission where young astronauts can embark on a journey beyond the stars. Take on cosmic challenges, test your skills through hands-on missions, and discover what it takes to become a true explorer of the universe. From countdown to launch, to interstellar discoveries, every experience is designed to ignite curiosity and fuel imagination.

Perfect for families, this action-packed adventure brings the thrill of space exploration to life right here at W5. Suit up, and prepare for lift-off. This is one mission you won’t want to miss.

This experience will be running daily until 31 August.

W5 - Space activities will run at selected times from 10am-6pm. Check times on arrival to W5.

This experience is included with general admission summer saver tickets. Pre-booking your visit to W5 is essential.

*Please note that W5 is closed on Monday 13 July 2026.

For more information and to book your tickets CLICK HERE

July 21, 2026

Northern Ireland: Wake the Giant - Co.Down - 1st & 2nd August


Discover a Giant Adventure in Warrenpoint This August

If you're looking for an unforgettable family day out or weekend escape this summer, Wake the Giant, returns to Warrenpoint, Co. Down on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026, bringing folklore, music, food and giant-sized adventure to the heart of Mourne Gullion Strangford.

For more information go to https://www.visitmournegullionstrangford.com/wake-the-giant