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Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closures

The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.

Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.

We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.

To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email:
RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on HIVE’s page on the Army website, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.

Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.


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September 22, 2025

Highlands: The Military Liaison Group (MLG) - who, what, why


The Military Liaison Group (Education), often referred to as “The MLG”, is a tri-service Highland partnership that is committed to ensure that all Children and Young People from Armed Forces families thrive in Highland and suffer no disadvantage in their education due to being from a military family (Army, Navy or RAF) whether Serving, Reservist or Veteran.

You can find out more about the MLG and their partners in a new resource๐Ÿ‘‰ MLG Education: Who What Why

This can also be accessed through the Armed Forces Highland website along with more information regarding the MLG ๐Ÿ‘‰ Armed Forces Families Highland

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

North Yorkshire: Got a Military Connection? Need Advice?


We are delivering face to face drop-in advice sessions, providing free, confidential and impartial advice to serving armed personnel, veterans and their families based at and around Catterick Garrison.

Our adviser will be able to provide advice on benefits, energy, debt, housing, and also signpost to our specialist legal advice!

#CatterickConnection

Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Corsham: AWS groups at MOD Corsham Community Centre

 

Please email josh.kingston102@mod.gov.uk with any queries

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Wiltshire: Skills Bootcamps - free for adults living or working in Wiltshire and Swindon

 

The new academic year is often a time to think about fresh opportunities, whether that means changing career, developing new skills or progressing in your current role. To support this, free Skills Bootcamps are available for adults living or working in Wiltshire and Swindon.

These flexible courses are designed to help people gain in-demand skills and connect directly with employers, with an interview for a real job at the end. Training is available across a range of sectors, including digital and AI, construction and green skills, logistics and transport, and education.

Skills Bootcamps are open to learners aged 19 and over who have lived in the UK for at least three years. They are free for individuals, with discounted places available for employers who want to upskill their staff.

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Staffordshire: My Staffordshire: Staffordshire County Council update Boost your skills this Autumn


Update from Leader, Ian Cooper


See link HERE


Information provided by Stafford HIVE

September 19, 2025

Scotland: The latest edition of Army Cadets in Scotland Newsletter is now available

The latest Army Cadets in Scotland newsletter is here ๐Ÿ‘† click on image to read

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

September 18, 2025

BFBS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BFBS TV FOR ARMED FORCES AT RTS CAMBRIDGE CONVENTION 2025

Today, BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) proudly marks BFBS TV’s 50th anniversary. First launched on 18th September 1975 in Celle, West Germany, this golden milestone coincides with the Royal Television Society’s (RTS) Cambridge Convention at King’s College, a fitting stage to celebrate five decades of trusted partnerships, delivering top-quality television to the UK Armed Forces and their families overseas.

On its inaugural broadcast Hilary Osborn declared: “It is a historic moment for us in BFBS as we open up our first television service.” From a 30-foot mobile control room at Trenchard Barracks, with content support and engineering expertise from the BBC and ITV contractor London Weekend Television, BFBS TV began transmitting UK programmes abroad.

From tape distribution in 1975 in Celle, to live news and sports via a bespoke microwave link in the 1980’s - stretching from Wembley across northern, eastern and western Europe, eventually reaching West Berlin – to satellite coverage in the 1990’s and the introduction of multi-channel and initial live services for the Royal Navy, BFBS TV has consistently adapted to meet the needs of its audience.

The launch of secure streaming in 2014, followed by on-demand services in 2018 brought BFBS TV into the digital era, offering over 2,000 hours of content to browse, and up to 40 live channels wherever personnel are posted. This includes bespoke edge solutions enabling streaming, catch-up TV, audio and digital print offerings, whether at sea or in locations where connectivity is limited.

As of 2025, BFBS TV works with more than 20 trusted partners including British public service broadcasters, subscription TV and streaming platforms, international studios and sports rights holders, all supporting the service in reaching armed forces communities overseas.

Ben Chapman, CEO of BFBS, said: “Celebrating 50 years of BFBS TV at the RTS Convention was a powerful moment to honour our history and thank the studios, stakeholders, and teams whose outstanding content and collaborative partnerships have kept the UK Armed Forces connected for half a century. We also raised a glass to every colleague who has made this possible.”

Adam Hardwick, Deputy Director of BFBS TV & Cinemas, added: “Reaching this milestone is about recognising the breadth of services BFBS TV delivers today. From live sports, movies and series to trusted news, children’s content and so much more, we’re proud to offer a service that continues to innovate and evolve to meet the changing needs of the armed forces community wherever they are deployed or posted.”

More information on BFBS TV can be found here.

Aldershot: Wellesley Woodlands health walks - every friday



Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

September 17, 2025

Lichfield: DMS(W) Christmas Choir


 Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

KCC: The Kent Money Advice Hub

 



'People go to the Money Advice Hub  with a lot on their shoulders, and they finish the call with an instant sense of relief and an increase in confidence.'

Are you worrying about money? The Kent Money Advice Hub could help you.
 
Click HERE for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub