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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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December 10, 2025

Scotland: Calling all members of the Veterans Tribe Scotland Book Club

 

Calling all members of the Veterans Tribe Scotland Book Club !

16th December 1600-1700hrs
 
Below are the Zoom call details for our current reading book choice: 
'The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder ' by Fiona Leitch

Book Club Meeting

In the week before each discussion meeting a notice is sent out to all members with a zoom link to attend.

Please RSVP to let us know if you are able to attend, however if you can't join the call it would be appreciated if you can provide a few comments about the current reading book above that will be discussed.

The input from all our Book Club members really helps to make our club a success, it would be lovely to hear your thoughts and comments on the latest book (good or bad) so that we can share them on the next call in your absence

** Important Note**

Have you read the current book but are not in the Book Club ?

Or thinking of joining but want to see what it's like before doing so ? Then you would be very welcome to join in the call using the link below.

Please let Gerry know via the email link below if you are looking to do this, it would be great to see you..

Aurora New Dawn: Armed Forces Domestic Abuse Helpline - Christmas opening hours

For more information on Aurora New Dawn support please visit: www.aurorand.org.uk

December 9, 2025

Gloucestershire: Latest 'Families in Partnership' e-newsletter for families with SEND

 

Highlights this month include:
  • Helping your child navigate the sensory pressures of Christmas
  • Festive Lights - where to enjoy them sensitively in Gloucestershire this solstice
  • Carer support over Christmas
  • SEND Information Fair 2026 - Mon 9 Feb
  • Peer support coffee mornings
  • December activities


Please click here to read this latest update online

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Hereford: Christmas rubbish and recycling

 



Christmas bin collections

Bins due to be collected on Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December; Boxing Day, Friday 26 December; and New Year's Day, Thursday 1 January have been moved.

Replacement dates are:Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December will be collected on Saturday 27 December.
Boxing Day, Friday 26 December will be collected on Sunday 28 December
New Year's Day, Thursday 1 January will be collected on Saturday 3 January

All other collections remain the same during the festive period.

Please ensure bins are put out by 6.30am as collections may be earlier than usual over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Use the bin collection day search to find out when your bin will be collected.

Powys: Powys County Council - Tips for Recycling over Christmas

Click here to read Powys County Council's Tips for Recycling over Christmas

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Wiltshire: Changes to waste and recycling collections plus HRC opening times this festive period

 

Wiltshire Council's waste and recycling crews will be taking a well-earned break over Christmas, so your collection days will change during the festive period.

Your online collection calendar has already been updated so make sure to check it so you don’t miss your collection!

Check your revised collection days at https://orlo.uk/5CZ6G


Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) which are usually open on a Wednesday will be closed from 1pm on Wednesday 24 December. All recycling centres will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. All other days will operate under normal opening hours on their specified opening days.

Before visiting, please remember to sort your waste correctly so as much as possible can be recycled.

Further details can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/household-recycling-centre-locations

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Chepstow: Christmas Fayre on Fri 12th Dec 25 at Dell Primary School, Chepstow

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Chepstow: Chepstow Community Learning - Courses & Workshops for Adults 25/26

Courses & Workshops for Adults at Chepstow Community Hub.

Spring Term begins Mon 05th Jan 2026
Access the brochure here

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Chepstow: Chepstow Round Table Santa Sleigh Routes 2025

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Wiltshire: Family and Community Learning - Budgeting For Work - Online Course - Friday 9th January


Information provided by South West HIVE Hub