Hereford: Herefordshire Libraries - Under Fives

 

Children are welcome to join the library from birth and enjoy the great choice of board and picture books in our libraries. There are plenty of spaces to explore, free activities to enjoy and stories to share. Regularly sharing books, stories and rhymes can have a big impact on their development and helps to build a baby's early language skills whilst encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

10 things you will find for under-fives in our children's librariesBoard books: sturdy books for little hands!

Picture books: beautifully illustrated stories to share including fairy tales and bedtime stories
Books for learning new nursery rhymes and songs
Early learning: books about colours, shapes, animals, to help your child understand the world around them.

Hereford: Garden Waste Collection Service

Subscribe to our new garden waste service

You cut. We collect. Nature composts.

Imagine more time to enjoy your garden - not just work in it. With our new fortnightly garden waste collection service, starting in March 2026, you can spend less time transporting waste and more time relaxing in your outdoor space.

Our year-round service (excluding just two weeks at Christmas) will collect your garden waste directly from your property and deliver it for composting at a local facility.

Subscriptions will open on 22 October 2025, so sign up soon to ensure you're ready for collections to start on 30 March 2026.

If you sign up before 9am on 1 December 2025 you will be entered into a prize draw where 10 winners will be selected at random to win a subscription for a year. For further information see the prize draw terms and conditions.

Sign up to the garden waste collection service

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Wiltshire: Free fun cooking courses for Wiltshire & Swindon residents

 

Please click here to find out more and to sign up

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Worthy Down: Military Povost Guard Service (MPGS)

 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

South East: Reserve Forces' & Cadets' Association for the South East

South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA) is one of 13 RFCAs UK-wide, SERFCA is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Arms’ Length Body, responsible to the Defence Council, but separate from military chains-of-command. SERFCA supports the Reserve Forces and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in the Counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and East and West Sussex. SERFCA also helps connect Defence with Society.

If you are interested in becoming a 'Reservist' please click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Wiltshire: Are you caring for somebody else's child?

 

To mark last weeks Private Fostering Awareness Day on Wed 5 Nov, Wiltshire Council is encouraging residents to consider whether they may be involved in a private fostering arrangement and to come forward for support if they are.

Please click here to read more online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE

Inverness: Army Welfare Service and 3 SCOTS Poppy Project at Fort George Kirk

Remembrance Day is always a poignant time of year, especially for 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) personnel and their families. The period of quiet reflection this year will culminate in a service held at Fort George Kirk on Remembrance Sunday, led by Padre Paul van Sittert. The service is open to everyone with a 1030 hrs start. The Fijian soldiers have kindly offered to sing as part of the service. All retiring offerings / donations will go to Poppy Scotland.

3 SCOTS, historically known as The Black Watch has a staunch and proud heritage steeped in tradition. Fort George is currently home to the 3 SCOTS Battalion which most of the Craft Club members are affiliated to through their husbands and partners.

The Craft Club have sought to honour and reflect upon that in their display, which incorporates the use of military camouflage netting and Black Watch Tartan ribbon. The spouses and partners are understandably proud of their service personnel and that shows in the way that the display has been handcrafted and produced – with love being an important ingredient.

The poppy focal piece at the Battalion Kirk is the Craft Club’s way of reflecting on a sombre time of dedication and also a time to consider the role of the Battalion and wider Armed Forces Community in what are clearly difficult and challenging times.

Motorfinity - On Freedom's Wings – The Last Mission Home

A Full-Sized Lancaster Bomber Rises as an Enduring Tribute to Bomber Command

On the border between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, a remarkable silhouette now commands the skyline. Standing 29 metres high with a wingspan of 31 metres, a full-sized steel sculpture of an Avro Lancaster bomber appears frozen in flight, heading home across the fields that once echoed with the roar of wartime engines.

This is 'On Freedom's Wings' – an extraordinary tribute to the 55,573 men of RAF Bomber Command who never returned from their missions over occupied Europe.

To read the full article, click HERE

Fife: Have your say on Fife's open spaces

Fife Council is asking residents to share their views on the parks, civic spaces, and green spaces that help define our communities.

Whether it’s a well-loved local park or a quiet riverside walk, your feedback will help us:
• protect special places from development
• improve accessibility and enjoyment of open spaces
• identify opportunities for trees, paths, play areas and more.

A version for children and young people is also available. The response will help us understand which spaces are thriving and which need extra care. It will ensure no important area is missed as we plan for the future needs of Fife’s communities and will also help to inform the next Local Development Plan.

More on the open spaces survey and to take part: https://www.fife.gov.uk/.../have-your-say-on-fifes-open..

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Preston & Weeton: Are you posted to the North/West?

Are you moving to the North/West?

If you are about to relocate to Preston or Weeton, please contact the HIVE office to request a pre-arrival information pack.

If you have just arrived in the area, HIVE will help you to find out more about your new location, where to register for doctors/dentists, find a nursery place, schools, employment, local area etc.

The HIVE also has information on all Army, RAF and Navy locations within the UK and overseas should you require information regarding a future posting.

Preston HIVE

Fulwood Barracks    - Tel. 01772 260025  (Mon)

Weeton Barracks     - Tel. 01772 260762  (Tues - Fri) 

e-mail:  RC-Pers-HIVE-Preston-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk