Blandford: Garrison shuttle bus service to Blandford town (every Tuesday)

 

Click on poster above to enlarge.

Please see below for estimated timetable, please allow enough time to ensure that you do not miss the Bus.

Pick Up	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	Drop off only
Pass Gate House for Security Clearance	0930	1015	1110	1230	1325	1420
South Cresent/Racedown Road (either bus shelter)	0935	1020	1115	1235	1330	1425
Gunville Down Road (either bus shelter)	0940	1025	1120	1240	1335	1430
Ashley Wood Road (opposite bus shelter) [Officer's Quarters]	0945	1030	1125	1245	1340	1435
Black Lane	0950	1035	1130	1250	1345	1440
Drop Off
M&S Foodhall (Car Park, end of Nightingale Court walk-through)	0955*	1040*	1135*	1255*	1350*	-
East Street/Market Place Bus Stop [Drop-off only]	1000	1045	1140	1300	1355	-
Arrive Tesco Supermarket (ATM pull-in)	1005*	1050	1145*	1305	1400	-
Return Journey
Depart Tesco Supermarket (ATM pull-in)	-	1055	1215	1310	1405	-
The Ham Bus Stop (Morrisons Car Park) [Pick-up only]	-	1100	1220	1315	1410	-
M&S Foodhall (Car Park, end of Nightingale Court walk-through)	-	1105	1225	1320	1415	-
	*Drop-off by request

This service will run every Tuesday up to and including 22 December.
Pilot Funded by Dorset Council. Service operated by Dorset Community Transport.

If you need any further clarification, please email blandfordgar-bgsuwelfare@mod.gov.uk.

NOTE: Anyone travelling into town on final run (1330/1340/1345 Camp pick-ups) will need to make their own way back.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE via Blandford BGSU welfare office.

Defence update: Remembrance weekend - free rail travel for bereaved families

Defence and the Department for Transport have extended free rail travel across Britain over Remembrance weekend, for families of Armed Forces personnel who died while serving.

For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.

The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.

This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.
Recognising bereaved families

This new offer will help families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“Remembrance Weekend is a time for the nation to come together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving our country.
“Bereaved families are at the heart of these commemorations, and the cost of travel should not prevent them from being there to remember their loved ones.
“Extending free rail travel to next of kin will help more families attend Remembrance events, standing alongside communities, veterans and serving members of our Armed Forces as we honour and remember those who served.”

Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, said:
“Remembrance is an opportunity for the nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.
“We must never forget that behind every name we remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one without financial barriers.”
Mikki Brett is the widow of the late Chief Petty Officer Stuart Brett who served in the Weapons Engineering branch of the Royal Navy and died from cancer while serving, in April 2023.

Speaking with Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, Mikki said:
“It's fantastic news that the in-service bereaved have been recognised for the support given to their loved ones, with free train fares to remembrance events this year.”
Mikki is already registered to come to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and will be one of the first to benefit from the new travel offer.

Co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, Ola Ogun said:
"Railways have long been connected to remembrance commemorations, recognising the importance of their contribution during wartime. As an industry, we are proud to continue supporting this important national occasion by offering free travel to serving personnel and veterans.
“This year, we are especially pleased to extend that support to one next of kin of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces recognising not only the sacrifice of those who served, but also the families who continue to carry their legacy and honour their memory.”

Reaching bereaved families

Defence update: Remembrance weekend - free rail travel for bereaved families

 

Remembrance weekend: Free rail travel for bereaved families

Defence and the Department for Transport have extended free rail travel across Britain over Remembrance weekend, for families of Armed Forces personnel who died while serving.

For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.

The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.

This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.

Recognising bereaved families

This new offer will help families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.

Blandford: Garrison mini bus for hire

The mini bus can be driven by anyone over the age of 25 years with a clean driving license that has been held for at least 24 months.

Contact Carl.Burman144@mod.gov.uk 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: Local (Wool/Bovington) area volunteer drivers needed

SHARE & CARE

Volunteer drivers needed. Imagine having no car, living in a local village, and needing to get to a medical appointment. Many of our neighbours face this challenge every day. Could you help?

Share & Care is a friendly team of volunteer drivers who help local people get to their medical appointments.

✅ Times to suit you
✅ Fuel costs reimbursed
✅ Make a real difference in your community

Not able to drive?
📞 We also need volunteers to help answer our telephone line.
Join us and help support your neighbours.
Interested? Call: 07751 968 944

Thank you for caring.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

France and Germany Travel Updates - 11 Aug: Important Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

Army personnel, MOD civilians, veterans and family members planning travel to France or onward travel through Europe should familiarise themselves with the latest GOV.UK travel advice. This information was updated on 11 Aug, and the information for France and Germany can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany

These recent updates highlight additional documentation that may be required when entering France, the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), and temporary border controls currently in place at Germany's land borders.

Staying with Family or Friends in France

If you are staying with family, friends or another private host in France, you may be asked to provide a welcome invitation, known as an Attestation d'Accueil.

The document:Must be obtained by your French host from their local town hall (Mairie).
Must be sent to you before travel.
May be requested by French border officials as proof of your accommodation arrangements.

Travellers staying in private accommodation should ensure this paperwork is in place before departure.

Visiting a Second Home in France

Those travelling to a second home in France may be required to show evidence of ownership or tenancy.

Examples include: 

Property tax documents
Utility bills
Tenancy agreements
Other official documentation confirming ownership or occupancy

Keeping copies of these documents readily available can help avoid delays should they be requested during border checks.

Documents Border Officials May Request