Dorset: Bovington & Blandford Army Cadets for ages 12 - 18

If you want to aim higher, feel more confident and get a head start on your future join the Army Cadets. Every year thousands of young people and adult volunteers join the Army Cadets for fun, friendship, action and adventure.

If you're up for a challenge you'll go further with the Army Cadets

You can join the Army Cadet Force If you're over 12 (and in year eight at school) and under 18. To find out more about Army Cadets in your area, click HERE

The Bovington & Purbeck Detachment

RWxY building on Allenby Barracks.  Monday & Thursday 19:00 - 21:00

Blandford Cadet Force Detachment 

Kingston Close, Bradley Estate, Blandford DT11 7UQ.  Monday & Thursday 19:15 - 21:30

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison Thrift shop

The Thrift shop is a facility were you can purchase and sell on items at low cost. It is located opposite the Rendezvous Café, situated in the Glasshouse on camp.

Open for shoppers and taking donations TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 9.30am - 1.30pm. Donations can be dropped off before 1pm during opening hours.

We are currently accepting Autumn/Winter items ONLY. 

Volunteers are always needed. Please call into the shop during opening times if you are interested in helping out. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Grantham: Let's talk about it - Depression

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

West Midlands: AWS CS Donnington Little Munchkins - MOD Donnington Community Centre

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub
 

Fylde Memorial Arboretum - Bispham - First UK Fiji Memorial Bench unveiled

The first UK memorial to Fijians serving in the armed forces, veterans, families and those who have died in the call of duty has been unveiled in the Flyde Memorial Arboretum in Bispham during a service on 3 October 2024.

A beautiful bench, decorated with the Fiji National Coat of Arms and motto, was dedicated at a special ceremony attended by civic dignataries, serving soldiers, families and members of the public.

The man behind the memorial, Fleetwood town councillor and veterans champion, Fijian Jimi Kuruvakadua, said: "We have have one thing in common which is always to remember and reflect on the lives of our brothers and sisters, our communites, our individual groups and associations we are involved in.

"I am grateful to you for your support, donations and to the veterans who prepared for today.
This bench is the first memorial in the UK dedicated to the Fijian Community and we appreciate it being situated here.
Comrades are always remembered in our hearts.
Today we remember them, honour them and keep them always in our hearts."

Manager of the arboretum, Paul Binns, welcomed guests and said how proud they were to have this special memorial situated in the arboretum and said that all connected with the Fijian community would be welcome there.

Other speeches welcoming the memorial and its importance were made by Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Brigadier (Rtd) Peter Rafferty; Blackpool Mayor Peter Hunter and Ilimo Torau, founder of the Commonwealth Veterans and Families Support Group.

A posy of poppies was laid by Councillor Kuruvakadua's daughter, Vasanai.

Two poems, written specially, were read by poet Anne Margaret Ward.

The dedication service, with choir of Fijian soldiers, was led by Methodist Minister the Rev Jimione Kaci, who is chaplain to Fijians serving in the British Army.

Visit the Memorial Bench at Fylde Memorial Arboretum, Moor Park Avenue, Bispham, FY2 0LZ. 

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Launch of new British Forces Cyprus community website

 

HQBFC are pleased to announce the formal launch of the new British Forces Cyprus Website:

Welcome to British Forces Cyprus - The central point for all information on living and working in British Forces Cyprus.

​This open source website will provide a one-stop shop for service personnel, UK based civilians and their families to access useful information about being assigned to Cyprus alongside key information for living in Cyprus. HIVE and the HIVE location guides for BFC are to be added soon.

It is an iterative project that will continue to develop and improve over time and will seek to replace what is a high volume of individual unit SharePoint sites, unofficial social media groups and old fashioned paper arrival packs.

The website will significantly improve the information available to personnel and their families, accessible in a way that modern communications demands, enabling the whole family to understand what they need to know to consider an assignment in Cyprus or what they practically need to do once assigned here.

You will find the link within the BFC Sites list on the BFC SharePoint Home page and under BFC Key Information.

Stage 2, through the Autumn Term, will be continuing to develop the generic information such as what information is needed for when families depart Cyprus and working with the Stations to enhance their information pages.

If you have any specific questions or wish to propose content please email our British Forces Cyprus Community Information Website email: BFC-HQ-CmntyWebManager@mod.gov.uk

Chester: Cerco - Free IT Training for Military Spouses

As a part of our mission to support the Military community and those members that are transitioning to Civilian life, Cerco have arranged an IT training course specifically for Military spouses at the training facility in Crewe, Cheshire. This is due to take place on week commencing 25th November.

This course will teach people the fundamentals of IT engineering and this can lead to further employment opportunities. This is the only opportunity of it’s type in the UK.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Weeton: Lancashire Adult Learning - Functional Skills Maths course

During of the last two events (Careers & Education event and Meet & greet event) held within the Community Centre for the Service Community, Lancashire Adult Learning received interest in running a Functional Skills Maths course on site. 

In order to be able to run a course, there must be at least 8 learners attending lessons. 

If you are interested in furthering your education and join a functional skills maths course here in Weeton, please e-mail your details to Tina Clegg in the HIVE office(e-mail address on poster) as soon as possible.  

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Gloucestershire: Library locations and regular events

 

Gloucestershire Libraries are located across the County, including in the following areas:

• Cirencester
• Fairford
• Lechlade
• Churchdown
• Longlevens
• Gloucester
• Cheltenham
• Tewkesbury

As well as books and digital resources, regular events include:

• Baby bounce & rhyme
• Lego club
• Story time
• Knit & natter
• Author talks
• Nature club
• 'The library of things'

Click here to find your nearest library and the available activities

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Wiltshire: 'Get Out Get Active' community activities

 

Please click image to enlarge

Activities will be held across Wiltshire, including in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham.

Click here to find out more!

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs