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November 2, 2026

Building Heroes: Military Spouse to Business Owner: Wendy’s Building Heroes Story

Military Spouse to Business Owner: Wendy’s Building Heroes Story

Training helped military spouse Wendy Bannister and her husband start a property maintenance business.

Wendy had no idea that funded training could be available to her as a military spouse. Her husband Brian, a former Royal Marine WO2, had been retired for 18 years when she shared her story.

After discovering Building Heroes, Wendy and Brian applied for Construction Skills and Retrofit/EPC Assessor courses. For Wendy, the knowledge and qualifications gained provided a route into a new working chapter alongside her husband.

They went on to start a property maintenance company. Wendy explained that, although she did not continue with retrofit work, she regularly uses her EPC Assessor qualification as an additional service alongside their property maintenance work. The business has also enabled them to offer part-time casual work to their daughter while she studies at university.

“None of this would have been possible without the assistance of Building Heroes and the training that they provided. We are incredibly grateful.”

Wendy’s experience shows that Building Heroes opportunities extend to military spouses, including those whose partners left Service years ago. If you are a spouse or partner considering a new direction, explore the training available and find out whether a programme could support your next step.

Building Heroes supports Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists and immediate military family members to explore opportunities in construction and the built environment.

To find out more and apply, visit: www.buildingheroes.org.uk/courses

Blandford: Garrison remembrance service - Sun 8th Nov

 

1000 - 1130. Hawke Square. 
Open to the Garrison community. Service will be led by Padre Stokes.
Please wrap up warm and dress for the weather

The Officer’s mess attendance is by official invite only.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: Craft fair - Sun 8th Nov

 




Unique local handmade crafts. Refreshments Free entry. Winfrith Newburgh village hall.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Dorset: Winter food & drink fair - Sat 7th & Sun 8th Nov

 


Start the season early with a celebration of Dorset’s finest food, drink and crafts all in one place. Set the historic grounds of Athelhampton House, this curated Winter Fair brings together Dorset’s finest producers for two days of delicious discovery ahead of the festive rush.

Click HERE for more details on above and upcoming events at Athelhampton house & gardens. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Bovington: Christmas community event - Fri 4th Dec

 




Memorial Hall & Poppies tearoom. King George V Road.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Garrison halloween & bonfire night - Thurs 5th Nov


Winning poster from Downlands School pupil - Blandford Camp 

Event Starts: 1700hrs

Bonfire Lit: 1830hrs

Raffle: 1840hrs

Fireworks: 1900hrs

Event Ends: 1930hrs

Halloween stalls, food vendors, Raffle & SSAFA stall.

For more details or any questions please contact Cpl Shrestha, Rabi.shrestha357@mod.gov.uk.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Chepstow: Free Childrens Lantern Making Workshops on 14th Nov & 21st Nov

Chepstow Town Council: 

FREE Children's Lantern Making Workshops

Make a lantern for the Christmas Lantern Parade!
Join a fun free workshop for children aged 6 and over to make their own lantern to carry at Chepstow's 27th November Christmas Lantern Parade.
FREE but booking essential - places limited

Workshop dates:

14th November - Chepstow Library

10.15am-11.15am
11.30am-12.30pm

21st November - The Drill Hall

9.45am-11.15am
11.30am-1pm
1.30pm-3pm

Booking essential - places limited to small groups.

To book, email admin@chepstow.co.uk or call 01291 626370 saying your preferred date and time.
Minimum age of children 6 years, children must be accompanied by an adult, up to 2 children per adult.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Bovington: Growing together (under 1s) free activity sessions - Nov & Dec dates

 


Explore a range of activities to develop your child's sensory awareness and cognitive development.
Everyone welcome.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Aldershot: Tank Command: How the tank changed the face of battle Tues 1st Dec 2026 doors open 1730hrs starts 1800hrs

 


CBRN Regiment and NATO's Rapid Reaction CBRN Battalion. His operational deployments included the 1st Gulf War, Cyprus, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan and has been in Syria & Iraq frequently in the last 10 years. This considerable experience in the field places him as one of the world's leading and most current experts in chemical, biological and nuclear counter terrorism and humanitarian operations.’  Today he ‘gives advice to UK and US Government agencies and is a senior Ministry of Defence advisor on CBRN and Syria, and is frequently seen on global news channels providing expert commentary, and writes in UK, Middle East and US news journals and newspapers.  He was a Visiting Fellow at Magdalene College Cambridge in 2020-2022 and his memoir Chemical Warrior was published in 2021.’

His book ‘offers a unique and timely exploration of the evolution of the tank, on and off the battlefield. Written in close collaboration with the world-renowned Tank Museum, it brings the thrill of hardware together with the sweep of history, telling the tank's origin story on the battlefields of World War I, charting its primacy during World War II, and analysing its critical role in modern warfare, whether in the Gulf (where Hamish served) or on the new Ukrainian and Russian front lines.’

 Information provided by South East HIVE Hub


October 30, 2026

First Defence Finance - How to build a Savings Habit that actually sticks


Struggling to save? Here’s How to Build a Savings Habit That Actually Sticks

Starting to save is one thing.

Keeping it going every month is another.

You might save £50 one month, forget the next, then find yourself dipping into it when an unexpected expense comes along.

The trick isn't necessarily finding more money to save. It's building a savings habit that fits into your everyday life and is easy to keep going.

Whether you're serving, have left the Armed Forces, or are part of a military family, your financial circumstances can change over time. A savings routine that works for you now should be flexible enough to adapt when life does.

We've put together some simple ways to make saving feel less like another job on your to-do list - Click 
HERE to view.