Gibraltar: Autumn Bookmark Competition 2026

Looking for an art activity for the summer holidays? The Culture Department has launched their annual bookmark competition. The prizes are great - and the winning bookmarks are widely distributed, so you get to see the art in use. As well as being given out at the November Literary Festival, you can usually get a bookmark from the John Mackintosh Hall Library when you go to borrow books.

Here is the detail about the competition:

Organised in conjunction with Dyslexia Gibraltar, the competition celebrates the different ways people think, learn and see the world. Participants are invited to design bookmarks that capture the 2026 theme below:

“Different Minds, Brilliant Minds” celebrates the unique ways we think, learn, and see the world.

Every mind works differently. Dyslexic thinking brings creativity, imagination, and new perspectives that help solve problems in exciting and innovative ways. By recognising and valuing differences, we create a more inclusive world where everyone’s strengths can shine. When we embrace how each mind works, we unlock brilliance.

The competition is open to adults and children who are residents of Gibraltar. Participants may submit up to three original works.

There will be four categories as follows:

A. School Years 3 to 6

B. School Years 7 to 10

C. School Years 11 to 13

D. Adult Category (18+)

The Overall Winner will receive the Ministry of Culture prize of £500 and a trophy. Additionally, the winner in each category will receive a prize of £100 and a trophy.

The Winning Bookmark will be gifted to all attending this year’s Gibraltar Literary Festival.

Entry forms and rules are available on www.culture.gi/forms, or at the John Mackintosh Hall reception. Completed forms and bookmarks are to be submitted via email info@culture.gi, or handed in at the John Mackintosh Hall reception.

The deadline for entries is Friday 9th October 2026.

For any queries, please contact GCS’ Events Department via email info@culture.gi or on tel. 20067236.

Gibraltar: EU completes formal adoption of treaty and clears way for signing

The European Union formally approved the UK-EU treaty on Gibraltar on Wednesday, 1 July, completing the final internal procedure required before the European Commission can sign the agreement ahead of the planned 15 July date for its provisional application.

The Council's decision marks the last formal EU step before the bloc is able to conclude the agreement.

Although the treaty must still be ratified by both the UK Parliament and the European Parliament, it can be applied provisionally once it has been signed, allowing its provisions to take effect while the ratification process is completed.

BRUNEI: Passport Renewal and UK Visa Application Information

PASSPORT RENEWAL

1. All BFB Service Personnel are advised to apply for passport renewal at least nine months prior to the passport’s expiry date. Please note that the OGS stamp expires six months before passport expiry, which will restrict overseas travel for operational and exercise deployments, as well as in emergency situations.

a. British Passports Renewal. All applications for UK passports, whether personnel are serving in the UK or overseas, must be submitted online via the GOV.UK website. The applications submitted from overseas will be deemed as MOD FOC applications. Therefore, all BFB Service Personnel are required to seek guidance from their respective Coy MPAs prior to submitting application.

b. Nepali Passports Renewal. The BFB will periodically coordinate with the Nepal Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to conduct Passport and Consular Camps in Brunei. If applications are required outside of these scheduled camps, SPs must consult their Coy MPAs for advice.

2. All Service Personnel are reminded that claim submissions must be made within 91 days from the date of the expense.

UK VISA APPLICATION

1. The BFB Service Personnel whose spouses do not hold a UK visa are advised to apply for a UK visa at the earliest opportunity. This is essential to facilitate travel to the UK in the event of an emergency. They are required to seek guidance from their respective Coy MPAs prior to submitting application.

2. All Service Personnel are reminded that claim submissions must be made within 91 days from the date of the expense.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Guide to renew your passport – British passport holders

CHANGE IN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDER IN SERVICE

All applications for UK passports (whether serving in UK or overseas) are to be submitted online using the Gov.uk website. The paper application process has been discontinued. Certain passport facilities are provided free at public expense, and others must be paid for personally.

1. Submit your passport and a passport size photo to the Regimental Admin Officer (RAO) for a Special Pass. If the passport belongs to your spouse or child, a copy of the head of family’s passport and OGS must also be attached.

BRUNEI: On Government Service (OGS) Stamp and Special Pass

1. All permanently assigned service personnel, UKBC and MOD contract civilian staff (including family members) require a valid On Government Service (OGS) Stamp in their passport.

2. It is the responsibility of the head of household to ensure that new applications, extensions, Special Pass, Special Pass extension and OGS cancellations are submitted to the LEC Pay & Personnel Office (LPPO) for him/herself along with their family members. All service personnel (including family members) must submit through the Regimental Admin Office (RAO) first.

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.

BRUNEI: Temporary Closure of Battalion Post Room, Tuker Lines

Temporary Closure of Battalion Post Room, Tuker Lines

The Battalion Post Room located in Tuker Lines will be closed on Wednesday 8 July 2026. 

Normal operating hours will resume on Thursday 9 July 2026.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Forces Cars Direct: April July Offers – Save on Your Next Vehicle

Explore our July offers with your exclusive discounts, including the new Toyota bZ4X Touring with saving of £18,253 and the new design of the Cupra Born with an equally impressive £10,426 off.

To view all of this month’s offers, please visit the link below: https://www.forcescarsdirect.com/special-offers/monthly-offers

Brunei: JWD 50th Anniversary Families' Day Friday 03rd July 2026, 1400 - 2100 hrs @ Medicina Lines

Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: Treetops Open Day for 2 - 3 years olds - Friday, 03rd July 2026, 0830 - 0930 hrs @ Treetops Nursery

If you have any further questions, please contact Katie Garbutt (Early Years Setting Manager) and Louise Deane (Treetops Assistant Manager) at Treetops.nursery@modschools.org 

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.