Army HIVE Says Thank You and Farewell to Longest Serving Overseas HISO

This week marks our longest-ever serving Overseas HISO - Jo Ratabuli - leaving Episkopi HIVE for pastures new. Over her 14 years in post, Jo has been absolutely central in supporting her customers in Epi and wider across BFC, unit moves to and from Cyprus, our Non-UK Nationals, and so much more – her knowledge, warmth and exceptional customer service will no doubt be remembered by many customers and colleagues from across the last decade and a half. Suffice to say, Jo will be a much-missed member of the Army HIVE team, not only from her current BFC colleagues (Karen-Grace, Donna, Emma, James, Jen and Katie) but the rest of the Army HIVE team too!

Our Cyprus Area Manager, Karen-Grace, penned the attached poem and it perfectly captures Jo’s achievements, the differences she has made over her 14 years in service, and the sentiments of her team.

From us all in Army HIVE, Jo, Vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much), Moce mada (until we meet again), and may your next chapter be filled with joy, peace, laughter, and the same warmth you gave so freely to others.

BFBS Marks 15 Years Since Op TELIC Ended With Commemorative Anniversary Campaign

The Forgotten Conflict: BFBS Gives Voice to the Veterans of Op TELIC

BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) today begins a dedicated week of programming to mark 15 years since the end of Operation TELIC (Op TELIC), codename for the involvement of the UK Armed Forces deployed to Iraq between March 2003 and May 2011.

Daily commemorations this week will run across BFBS Radio, BFBS TV, and digital platforms, exclusively bringing together multiple contributors including veterans, serving personnel and BFBS staff as key voices in the special broadcasts forming a comprehensive tribute to the Op TELIC anniversary, and to honour the lived experiences of the UK Armed Forces personnel who served.

Give Us Time: Summer 2026 Welfare Update

 

Click poster to enlarge.

To find out more please visit www.giveustime.org.uk

MONS: Mons-Nimy-Maisieres Roadworks Update

Mons-Nimy-Maisieres Roadworks update...

The N6 roadworks project between Mons, Nimy, and Maisières is entering a new phase, which will primarily affect the Violette intersection (photo below) and the section between this intersection and the E42/E19-A7 interchange. These works will continue until the end of June.

"To minimize the impact on traffic, the operations requiring closures at the Violette intersection will be concentrated over two weekends and carried out mainly at night. Between these two weekends, the intersection will be fully accessible (all traffic will be able to move) but with a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h (due to traffic on the sub-base)," explains SOFICO.

Pentecost Weekend:

• From Saturday, May 23 at 9:30 p.m. until Sunday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. traffic will be prohibited on the N6, on one half of the Violette intersection, on the Casteau side.
• From Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 p.m. until Sunday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. the Violette intersection will be completely closed, except for the bypass connecting the N6 from Casteau to the N56 towards Jurbise.
• Diversion will be in place via the E42-E19/A7 and interchanges #23 “Nimy” and #24 “Mons”.

After Pentecost Weekend:

• From Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29, in the direction towards Mons: the N6 will be closed from the junction with exit 23bis "Ath" on the E42-E19/A7 coming from Brussels (inclusive) to the Violette intersection (not included), in the direction of Mons only.
• From Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5, in the direction towards Casteau: the N6 will be closed from the Violette intersection (not included) to the junction with exit 23 "Nimy" on the E42-E19/A7 coming from Brussels (inclusive), in the direction of Casteau only.

Updates on the final phases of the project will be added on this Blog once announced.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUNEI: AWS Community Support - May Half-Term Activities

Please Note: For May half-term activities *NO* sign-up needed.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: AWS Community Support Activities - What's On in BFB...

AWS CS Monthly Calendar

Please click the image to enlarge.

Parents and Toddlers closed on 20 May 2026

Soft play with open from 0900 - 1300 on 20 May 2026

May Weekly Activities

Senior Club - Temporarily Closed

Due to non-attendance, the AWS-CS senior club for the school year 7-8 is temporarily closed until further notice.

Brunei: Hornbill School National Sports Week 6 - 10 July 2026

Are you a qualified coach or are you just passionate about sports? Then PLEASE offer up your time!

Between 6-10 July 2026 Hornbill School will be running with National Sports Week.

This is an annual event and the aim is to provide the children in each year group with 60 minutes of sports and exercise each day.

Hornbill School is looking for willing volunteers to help support this upcoming national sports week. The school wants to create a programme that includes a wide range of sports and experience throughout the entire week.

Please could any willing volunteers complete the following form: - Hornbill School's National Sports Week – Form

Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: NAAFI - Quiz Night - Friday 5 June 2026, 1930 hrs @ Patio Bar

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Brunei: GQMS Department - Revised opening hours for May 2026

NOTIFICATION FROM GQMS DEPARTMENT

1. The GQMS Department opening hours will be temporary change because of
an upcoming inspection and departmental commitment.

2. Starting from Monday 11 May 2026, the GQMS Department will open from
08:00hrs to 12:00hrs (morning only) for normal business and will be closed after lunch to allow the team to conduct with routine departmental business. The changes will remain throughout the month of May 2026.

3. A revised opening hour will be introduced from next month onwards. More
further details on timetables will be push out in due time.

Information from Brunei HIVE.

Valuing Forces Families Overseas: Focus Group Invitation

RAND Europe has been commissioned by the Army Families Federation, in partnership with the RAF Families Federation and the Naval Families Federation, to conduct a study exploring the experiences of UK military families throughout the overseas postings cycle. As part of this research, RAND Europe is holding focus groups with military families who have experience of overseas postings, including preparing for, undertaking, and returning from an assignment overseas. These discussions aim to provide an improved and up-to-date understanding of families lived experiences and the challenges they face at different stages of the overseas postings cycle.