For all UK Train Services and timetables click National Rail
Please check for updates prior travelling.
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
December 15, 2025
Dorset: South West Train services
For all UK Train Services and timetables click National Rail
Please check for updates prior travelling.
December 10, 2025
North Wiltshire & Gloucestershire: Bin collection calendars
Please choose your area from the following list to find your local rubbish and recycling collection calendars (noting that Bank Holidays may affect the regular date):
Details for all other areas can be found at https://www.gov.uk/rubbish-collection-day
Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVE
December 9, 2025
Chepstow: Chepstow Community Learning - Courses & Workshops for Adults 25/26
Courses & Workshops for Adults at Chepstow Community Hub.
Spring Term begins Mon 05th Jan 2026Access the brochure here
Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.
December 8, 2025
Ripon: Come and join us for Chess Club every Friday for ages 5-17
Children’s Chess Club at Ripon Library!
Looking for a fun, brain-boosting activity for your children?
Join us at the library every Friday for our Chess Club!
Information provided by North HIVE Hub
December 5, 2025
New Travel Credit Scheme
New Travel Credit Scheme – helping you reunite with loved ones this Christmas
A new one-off Travel Credit Scheme will help Service personnel get home to family and friends during the festive season and months that follow.
From 8 December, eligible personnel can claim for support with the cost of either road or rail travel for a return journey home. The new scheme extends the existing Get You Home (Early Years) provision.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“When I came into office, I promised to renew our nation’s contract with those who serve us. That is why this government is improving homes for heroes, delivering the biggest military pay rise in a generation and enshrining the new Armed Forces Covenant in law to properly represent our forces community.
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how important being with family is, and that is why today we’re announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with their loved ones this Christmas.”
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our country safe. Helping them get home to their families for Christmas is the least we can do to support them.
“In this new era of threat, the strength of our defence lies in the serving men and women of our forces. Having already awarded the biggest military pay rise in 20 years and launched a big new strategy to renew military housing, this Government is proudly putting our Forces First.”
Who’s eligible to receive payment
Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25
Tackling Damp and Mould
Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home.
Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here.
Report it
If you discover damp and mould, including any recurring issues, please report it straight away so that we can resolve the issue promptly. You can do this in the following ways:
- Complete the dedicated Damp and Mould report form on the Pinnacle website.
- Call Pinnacle on 0800 0318628, selecting option 1, then option 4.
- Chat to Pinnacle online, you can do this by selecting the chat option on Pinnacle website.
Our commitment
Awaab’s Law, which took effect in October 2025, requires social landlords to address all damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes. While we are not bound by this legislation, DIO has voluntarily committed to upholding the standards expected of a responsible landlord and our response times to damp and mould reports in UK SFA have been adjusted.
When you contact Pinnacle, our teams will assess the severity of the problem, on a scale from level 1 to 5, with 5 considered the most severe. Pinnacle will then coordinate with Amey/VIVO to begin their investigation to address the issue.
- Levels 1-3: Amey/VIVO will respond within 10 working days.
- Levels 4-5 (highest priority): Amey/VIVO will respond within 48 hours, and families will be offered temporary accommodation during the investigation.
If we cannot fully complete the required work after investigation, we will provide the family with a written summary within three days, outlining completed tasks and any remaining work.
If you have any queries related to damp and mould, please contact Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628. You can find further information about seasonal safety advice on Defence Homes.
December 4, 2025
December 3, 2025
Recruit for Spouses: Op SPOUSE and how RFS supports you
RFS gives the following overview:
“A nationwide initiative to strengthen Defence retention, readiness and resilience.
“Family dissatisfaction is the leading driver in the Armed Forces retention challenge – and supporting spouses more effectively is critical to improving outcomes across Defence.
“Op SPOUSE is the solution – it equips military spouses with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, helping to sustain family stability and long-term commitment to Service life.
“Delivered by RFS – the UK’s leading military families charity – this scalable initiative enhances existing MOD commitments to support Service families, and strengthens Defence outcomes by improving retention, readiness and cost-efficiency.”
Find out more at: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/op-spouse
To find out more about the support available from Recruit for Spouses, please view/download the 'How RFS Supports You' brochure.
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