Brunssum: Warning Sirens - first Monday of the month

 

When are the public warning sirens tested?

All over the Netherlands, the public warning sirens are tested at exactly 12.00 noon on the first Monday of every month. The siren sounds for 1 minute and 26 seconds without interruption. This is a test signal so there is nothing to worry about. The sirens are never tested on a national or religious holiday or Remembrance Day, even if they fall on the first Monday in the month.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Baby and Toddler Music and Movement on Mondays

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BRUNEI: DIO(B) - Closure of helpdesk

Closure of helpdesk

The Helpdesk will be close from Thursday, 1st January 2026 until Friday, 2nd January 2026 in observance of the New Year public holiday.

Normal operations will resume on Monday, 5th January 2026. For any EMERGENCY call-outs during this period, please contact the Duty Ofiicer at 8330220 / 8330230.

We apologies for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your kind understanding.

Thank you for your kind assistance and wish you all advance Happy New Year!

DIO(B) SCHEDULED WATER TEMPERATURE MONITORING AND CHLORINE TESTING

1. In Order to Comply with the UK standard, DIO contractor Marsee will be carrying out the scope of works as shown below:

a. Check temperature reading of hot and cold water at the very sentinel point.
b. Check chlorine level in water using site test kit.
c. Visual check and small adjustment of water heater.
d. To record water analysis
e. Duration of work will take 10mins to 15mins.

Planned Minor Works at X1 Community Centre and Swimming Pool Area

The DIO(B) Contractor team will commence work at the X1 Community area and its surroundings, including the swimming pool, according to the schedule below.

The planned activities primarily involve painting and jet washing of the roads. These tasks are minimal; however, they may temporarily restrict access to certain roads or buildings during working hours. Public access to buildings will remain open, but the swimming pool will be closed for the duration of the works.

For any issues or concerns related to the proposed works, please contact the DIO(B) Helpdesk as your first point of contact.

DIO(B) appreciates your understanding and cooperation regarding this matter.

Work Schedule

1. Repainting X1/66 Mumong Community Centre (External and Internal Courtyard)
Date: Mid-Dec 2025 – 20 Feb 2026
Description: External painting works
Time: 0830 hrs – 1500 hrs (Daily except Sunday)

2. Repainting Splash Pool Fence (Swimming Pool Closed)
Date: 15 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Description: Timber fence painting works
Time: 0800 hrs – 1500 hrs (Daily except Sunday)

3. Jet-Washing Around Mumong Community Centre (Including Swimming Pool, Carpark, and Courtyard)
Date: 15 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026
Description: Jet washing of roads and concrete apron surrounding the buildings
Time: 0800 hrs – 1500 hrs (Daily except Sunday)

4. Repair and Repaint 2 ATAP Structures Adjacent to Mumong CC Carpark
Date: 15 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026
Description: Jet washing and repainting works
Time: 0800 hrs – 1500 hrs (Daily except Sunday)

December DIO Scheduled Work

DIO contractors will be carrying out inspection works as shown in the table below. Utilities may be affected during the work but DIO contractors will try to minimise disruption.
To reschedule, please kindly contact DIO(B) Helpdesk either via phone Calls Ext.3375 or 3224130 or Email: BRUNEIGAR-DIO-HelpDesk@mod.gov.uk during office hours.

Please click the images to enlarge.

DIO (B) Gas Safety works : Purging on Intermediate Pressure Gas Network  

Location : J16 Flats Block A to F

Programme Schedule : 24 Nov 25

Time : 0800 am until work complete.

Scope of work: 

1. All works will be carried out by DIO(B) MTC (MARSEE) and will be limited to the external compound only.

2. The scope includes the purging of the intermediate gas line network supplying up to the gas meter box.

3. Disconnect and end cap the downstream supply from the upstream line.

4. The estimated duration for completing the works is 1 working day, subject to weather conditions and the required purging period.

5. For safety reasons, and to maintain the required distance during the controlled release of gas, occupants will be required to temporarily vacate their properties during the purging process.

Notification of Scheduled External Painting Works – J16 Flat B

As part of this financial year’s painting programme, the DIO(B) contractor will commence work at J16 Flat B starting Monday, 10 November 2025, for a duration of approximately 8 – 10 weeks.

Please inform the occupant of the following important points:

• Curtains must remain closed at all times while contractors are working outside the flat to maintain privacy and safety.

• The veranda is included in the scope of the painting works. Contractors will access it externally using a cherry picker lift.

• Work will be carried out during the following hours:
• Monday to Friday: 0800 – 1700
• Saturday: 0800 – 1700

For any concerns or issues related to the proposed works, please contact the DIO(B) Helpdesk in the first instance.

Phone number: 3224130 or military Ext 3375

Email: BRUNEIGAR-DIO-HelpDesk@mod.gov.uk or DIORDOSTrg-BruHelpdesk@mod.uk during office hours.

Planned renovation works at X1/23 and X1/24

As per agreed renovation or refurbishment programme, DIO(B) contractor will start work at X1/23 & X1/24 for 3 ½ months for next week.

For safety reason, please avoid entering the construction site at all times. During working hours, the surrounding area may experience increased noise level, loading and unloading activities, and restricted access due to safety measures.

If you have any concerns or issues related to the works, including health and safety matters, please contact the DIO(B) Helpdesk as you first point of contact.

• Mon – Fri: 0800 – 1700

• Sat: 1000 – 1700

• Start date: 15 Oct 2025

• Target completion date: End of Jan 2026

DIO Helpdesk Reports

1. From Wednesday 10 September 2025, DIO Brunei will be amending the way

in which they process works request, due to the unprecedented and unsustainable
volume of works requests being received. After detailed analysis of the current issues
DIO Brunei are facing, the following changes are being enacted:

2. The DIO Helpdesk will only be accepting EMERGENCY and VERY URGENT
works request via telephone on Mil: 94193 3375 & Civ: +673 322 4130.

3. All other work requests are to be sent via email to BRUNEIGAR-DIO-HelpDesk@mod.gov.uk, and are to include the following information:

a. Location (building, room, asset).
b. Full name of customer, if not SP, SP details must be included.
c. Contact details of customer, both email and telephone.
d. Description (as clear and precise as possible).
e. When fault happened/ how long has it been a fault.
f. Photo.

4. These details are imperative to increasing the efficiency of processing works,
reducing the time taken to triage, and ultimately the issue being resolved

5. If these details are not provided the works request will not be raised. Should
anyone have issues or concerns with the above direction they are to contact the DIO
WSM via email.

Click HERE for information on Infrastructure Fault Reporting - DIO(B) Help Desk

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Brunei: BFB Job Vacancy - SSAFA Health Visitor Assistant

 

SSAFA - PCMF

1. Health Visitor Assistant

Click here for Job Advert

If you have any queries or would like to speak to someone about this role, please contact Sarah Dickson at sarah.dickson@ssafa-fhs.org.uk for an informal discussion. 

How to apply 

Click on 'Start your application' now using the following link: https://app.beapplied.com/apply/yd0cnl8eya 

If you need any adjustments to support you with the application process, please contact recruitment@ssafa.org.uk 

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 25 January 2026. SSAFA reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Interviews: Week commencing 02 February 2026.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Brunssum: Visit the Donkey Sanctuary L'Oasis des Ânes in Belgium - 4th January

 

Donkey Refuge, L'Oasis des Ânes is in Belgium, roughly a 40 minute drive from JFC Brunssum. The shelter is open on the first Sunday of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

There are lots of donkeys at the sanctuary for you to meet, and if you want to know more about each individual donkey, the L'Oasis des Ânes website has a page dedicated to each donkey and how they arrived to live at the refuge. 

SHAPE: Christmas Tree Disposal, January 2026

Christmas Tree (Sapin or Arbre de Noel) Disposal post-Christmas.

The Hygea Team will run a kerbside Christmas Trees collection during the first 2 weeks of January 2026. The precise dates will be advertised on the Commune Website or the Commune Facebook Page.

You tree must be:

• Natural, without pot
• Not in a rubbish bag
• Without Artificial Snow
• Left with your PMC/Green waste or next to your container if you live in an Apartment

Check out your Commune Website here:
Mons
Jurbise 
Soignies

Or follow their Facebook Page.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: Ice World Oberhausen – Carnival of Ice Art

From November 11, 2025 to March 1, 2026, you can expect an enchanting winter world full of carnival magic.

Experience a spectacular exhibition of ice and snow centered around the theme of Carnival. Colorful masks, joyful jesters, and magnificent floats are created by international masters using 200 tons of ice and snow each. Gigantic sculptures, reaching up to six meters in height, bring the joy and diversity of Carnival to life in sparkling beauty.

Find out more via the website: https://www.eiswelt.de

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Barefoot Park New Year's Dive '26

New Year's dip? Yes! On January 1st, you can take a refreshing dip in our natural waters. Put your New Year's resolutions to good use and start the new year feeling refreshed.

There will also be some hot tubs by the pond so you can warm up afterward. Once you've changed and walked back to our Barefoot Hut, you can enjoy an oliebol with some delicious hot chocolate, or we'll toast together with prosecco.

Find out the details here

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunei: Free Online Courses

The Open University

The Open University offers a wide range of free online courses across countless subjects — perfect for upskilling or exploring a new interest.

Explore courses on OpenLearn

HarvardX

You can also study with Harvard University through HarvardX, their online learning platform that gives free access to world-class courses from one of the world’s leading universities.

Browse HarvardX courses

Coursera

Explore and compare free courses and certificates from leading universities and companies.

Explore Coursera courses. 

Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: BFB Stray Animals

BFB STRAY ANIMALS

1. BFB personnel, incl LECs, UKBCs and Spouses, have been actively feeding stray animals within BFB estates. This needs to stop immediately
because:

a. By feeding stray animals you are encouraging them to breed uncontrollably which can increase its population at an alarming rate and
when it gets too overwhelming to feed, the strays will starve even worse thus causes further malnourishment and diseases will spread between each other, and possibly to humans.

b. Uneaten leftovers attracts flies and, in some cases, maggots, all ideal vectors for diseases.

c. Stray animals leave excreta where they are known to congregate because what goes in must eventually come out. This is no trifling matter for other BFB personnel who have to endure the odour.

d. Stray animals have caused damage to valuable equipment and buildings eg helicopter engines, store rooms, roofs and many small spaces where it is difficult to determine the extent of damage that may have been
done.

2. Do not feed stray animals just because you want to have the ‘feel-good, warm fuzzy feeling’ inside - it doesn’t end well for the stray animals. If you want to be do-gooders, you must then carry out your good deeds through (i.e. adopting AND neutering) without leaving others to deal with the aftermath. The bottom line is that humans and stray animals coalesce is part of living in Brunei but do not be part of the problem.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.