Winterberg and Willingen Wintersports Fun Close to Home

Welcome to skiing and snowboarding in the heart of Germany: the Hochsauerland region.

At just 1 hour and 20 mins drive time from Sennelager. These two resorts make winter sports accessible whilst you are in Germany.  They offer a mix of Ski slopes and family focused sledge hills (with lifts).

Far from the crowded peaks of the Alps, this area offers a charming and accessible winter wonderland, with a variety of resorts perfect for families, beginners, and even seasoned piste hunters.

The entire network of slopes forms the Wintersport-Arena Sauerland you can find nearly 60 km of Ski slopes, sledding runs, Hundreds of Km's of Cross country ski trails.

Willingen hosts World Cup Ski jumping. In Winterberg you find the Veltins Eis Arena which has a World cup Bobsled and Skeleton track.

Here is a breakdown of the key areas and a map to help you plan your perfect winter getaway.

BRUNEI: Pre - Departure Clinic *Next Date* - Wednesday, 07th January 2026, 1000 - 1100 hrs @ Chit Chat HIVE Office

COME ALONG! HIVE can offer support through your relocation

This session will cover the Good Conduct Certificate process, how to claim National Insurance Contribution credits, support whilst moving schools, plus much more - and a one stop checklist of things to add to your to do list before leaving British Forces Brunei!

This is a drop-in clinic, no appointment required.

For further information: www.internationalhive.blogspot.com

Simply search the labels: Brunei Unit Move or Relocation

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BFSWS is now offering Togetherness, an online resource.

Togetherness is a free online learning service giving overseas Military families access to resources to support each stage of parenting, including difficult/challenging times, understanding everyone’s wellbeing and emotional needs.

Togetherness pathways are designed to make childhood development knowledge and psychological principles about containment, reciprocity and behaviour management accessible to everyone. The pathways will help families, parents, grandparents, young people and carers to understand and manage emotions in everyday life.

Resources can be accessed using the link: British Forces Overseas | Togetherness - Togetherness

For  access code contact HIVE.

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial webinars – January dates.

🌍 Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money
Dates: Thursday 8th January
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
What to Expect: How you can live a greener life, helping you to save money and care for the planet.
🔗 Register Here

🐖 Saving Made Simple: Practical Tips to Boost your Savings
Dates: Wednesday 14th January
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
What to Expect: Explore 10 practical savings methods to build a healthy savings cushion.
🔗 Register Here

✍ Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
Dates: Thursday 15th January
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
What to Expect: How to create a budget that meets your goals, with tips to cut spending.
🔗 Register Here

☔ The Road to Financial Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected
Date: Wednesday 21st January
Time: 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM
What to Expect: Explore why financial resilience matters and simple, practical tips to improve it.
🔗 Register Here

🚀 Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
Dates: Thursday 22nd January
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
What to Expect: Understand the importance of looking after your credit score, with tips to improve it.
🔗 Register Here

💡 Before You Borrow: Key Things to Know
Date: Thursday 29th January
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
What to Expect: Understand the key factors lenders may evaluate, with tips to consider before applying.
🔗 Register Here

BELGIUM: Le Cabaret Secret show, until Sunday 25th January 2026

If you are a Cabaret fan this show is not to be missed. Performed in French language by an experienced dance troupe, it blends universally communicated performance, street theatre and dance.

WHEN: until Sunday 25th January 2026

WHERE: Gare Maritime, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

MORE INFORMATION: here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Back to Pompeii Exhibition, until July 2026 at Tour & Taxis

With Christmas Markets a dim and distant memory, its time to seek things to do without a Festive theme! 

If history is your thing or your young one is covering Pompeii in school, you wont want to miss this incredible immersive visit to the 'Back to Pompeii' Exhibition which gives a feel for daily life in 79 AD prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

WHEN: Until Sunday 26th July 2026

WHERE: Tour & Taxis, Shed 4 bis, Avenue du Port 86c

MORE INFORMATION: here

A second exhibition entitled 'The Last Days of Pompeii' is also running at the Brussels Expo until March 2026 and this one is dedicated to the Roman City, with VR, Digital Projections and Immersive Devices.

Information provide by SHAPE HIVE

Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closure

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 www.army.mod.uk/hives, 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.

Brunssum: 2026 Orange Ball - Save the Date

On behalf of The Netherlands King’s Day Reception Committee, please save the above date for the 2026 Netherlands King's Day Reception.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Baby Network Club meet-ups

Head to the JFC Chapel with your baby or toddler on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 9-11am.

For more information please email babynetwork.jfcbic@gmail.com

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Learn how to roller skate - open skate night

This is your chance to learn how to roller skate.

Peril Roller Derby in Heerlen is hosting a FREE open skate night on Friday 9th January. We have loaner gear free of charge. Doors open at 6:45pm and training starts at 7pm.

SIGN UP to reserve your spot: https://pinkperil.nl/join-us/

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.