BRUNEI: BFB Ladies Ascend Mount Kinabalu for the Gurkha Museum - Friday, 12th June 2026

 

Please support the BFB Ladies as they take on the incredible challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu to raise funds for the Gurkha Museum.

Please make your donation by Thursday, 11th June 2026, using the link or by scanning the QR Code above. 

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: IBTE Sultan Bolkiah Campus 5K Run Event - Tuesday, 12th May 2026, 0900 - 1000 hrs @ Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Sultan Bolkiah Campus, Seria

We would like to inform you that the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Sultan Bolkiah Campus, Seria will be organising a 5.0 KM Run Event as follows:

Date:    Tuesday, 12th May 2026
Time:    0900 - 1000
Route:   Covers part of Jalan Dua Selatan

It is a project handled by our NTec in Business Management students as part of their ‘Event Planning and Administration’ assessment.

The run will take place at 0900, starting and finishing at our campus (as indicated on the above map). The designated route will cover part of Jalan Dua Selatan, passing through some of the housing areas before looping back towards the institute.

As part of our safety and coordination planning, we just wanted to ensure awareness and check if there are any concerns or procedures we should follow.

During this period, as our students will be using one lane of the road, this might cause occasional slowdowns for personnel and family members commuting between 0900 and 0945.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation in advance.

Should any further clarification be required, please do not hesitate to contact me Teacher Muhammad Afif (+673 830 5971 afif.abubakar@ibte.edu.bn).

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: BFB Social Calendar 2026

Please click the image to enlarge.

The aim of the Social Calendar is to allow garrison personnel and their families to view all social events and activities taking place. 

It is also an area where you can advertise an event that you are planning such as a Patio Sale, Bingo evening, Coffee mornings etc. To have an event added to the Calendar it must:

• Be for the BFB Community.

• Include NO military information.

Click HERE to view the annual calendar. Here you can click on each event to take you to the blog post, where you will find more information regarding the event.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BELGIUM: Brussels Urban Trail, Sunday 28 June 2026, sign-up now open

If you have never experienced an Urban Trail before, then this is the sign you have been waiting for. It truly is the most incredible way to see a City, even one you think you know.

An urban trail is a running or walking event which passes by and through famous and less well known spots and buildings throughout the city.

With two distances to choose from 7-8km and 11-13km you wend your way around the course at your own pace. The event is not timed so there is no pressure but to enjoy this unique experience.

Last year we ran the 11km with our then 9 year old and it was a thoroughly enjoyable morning; we even scoped out our lunch venue en route!

The course and locations are yet to be announced but it will definitely show you a side to the city you may not have seen before. Spaces are limited so registration is required. 

These are brilliantly organised events, with toilets, bag drops, t-shirt collection, entertainment on the course and of course a goodie bag when you finish. You won't be disappointed.

If I haven't sold it to you yet, have a look at this.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Women's Health Symposium 'Empowered Through Every Stage' Friday 29th May 2026, 09:00-15:00

This superb symposium will focus on supporting women’s health through the many transitions of life. Trusted professionals from the SHAPE and NATO Community will share practical tips and insights through the sessions presented.

 

Covers Topics such as:

• Nutrition and Body Image
• Pelvic Health
• Menopause
• Navigating Challenge and more.

WHEN: Friday 29th May 2026, 09:00-15:00
WHERE: The SHAPE Healthcare Facility

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Little Linguists at SHAPE House, Starting Monday 11th May, Every Monday

Starting Monday 11th May a brilliant new session for Parents and Little Ones. If your petit enfant is due to start a local nursery and you want to get ahead of the game in the language department, join Debbie at SHAPE House.

This is a great intro to basic French words and phrases ideal for the nursery school environment.

WHAT: Little Linguists
WHEN: Mondays, 11:00-11:30, starting Monday 11th May
WHERE: SHAPE House

HOW MUCH: FREE

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Roadworks N6 Mons-Nimy-Maisieres, Phase 4 - Monday 11 May to Sunday 17 May

The ongoing Roadworks on N6 Mons - Nimy - Maisieres continues, reaching Phase 4 next week (subject to weather conditions).

During Phase 4:
Traffic will be prohibited on the section included between the intersection of Rue Fidele Gérard (intersection not included) and Place de Nimy.

Access to Nimy the square will remain possible, but only from Maisières.
Access to the other side will be closed during this phase.
Access to housing located on the section under construction will be severely limited during this phase. 

Recommended routes:
For people coming to Mons from Jurbise, Ath or Soignies: prefer the highway.
For people wishing to leave Nimy: diversion advised via the Ring de Mons.

Please anticipate your travels and seek alternative routes.

An FAQ regarding the works on the N6 (Nimy-Maisières) and the N538 (Chaussée du Roeulx) is available on: https://shorturl.at/PMHnr

BELGIUM: Lost Clinic Time for March and April 2026 at the UK Clinic, SHAPE Healthcare Facility

Lost Clinical Time results in an unhappy community and longer waiting times for GP, Nurse and Healthcare Appointments. 

Please remember to cancel your appointment if you no longer require it or are no longer able to make it; it may be perfect for someone else!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Belgian Tax Letters Update

Belgian Tax Letters have been sent out, so please check your mailbox for one. If you, your spouse, your child aged 18+ have received one letter, please use the following guidelines so they can be returned and dealt with on time to avoid any fine.

 

• You will need to complete the French Version of Annex 1, “IPP – Declaration NMR.fr.docx”, these can be collected from the Community Office.

• The Service Personnel/ UKBC should complete the form, and sign it, with the Dependents (over 18 years old) details added in Box B as starred in the English copy below.

• 

• Once you have signed and dated it, take a copy of annex 1 and the tax letter, to the HNLO/CLO Office by no later 14 June.

• The form will be countersigned by the NMR’ s office and released to the BEL NMR for onward action.

• Any question do not hesitate to contact HNLO for assistance : Nadia.ElHamdi329@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Planned Strike Action at Brussels and Charleroi Airports, Tuesday 12th May 2026

Further to my previous blog post about the planned strike action at the airports on Tuesday 12th May, further information has now been released. 

Charleroi has cancelled all flights on May 12th
“Due to this day of action and the lack of staff to ensure flight safety, Charleroi Airport will be unable to operate its scheduled flights,” a press release states. Passengers scheduled to fly that day will be contacted by their airline in the coming days regarding rebooking or refunds. The airport operator “regrets the impact and apologises for the inconvenience.” 

Disruption also expected at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is asking airlines to reduce the number of departing passenger flights on 12th May and expects that, as a result, fewer than half of the scheduled departures will be able to take place.

More here.

There is the potential for other means of transport to be impacted as well, although this is not entirely clear at this stage. As information is released, I will keep you updated.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE