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Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closures

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 HIVE’s page on the Army website, 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.


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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Brunei: The Art of Living: Advanced Meditation Programme and Intuition Process Programme @ Panaga, Seria


Please follow the link to register. 


Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: Brunei - Discover the Green Jewel of Brunei

Please click the image to enlarge.

Click here for the full guide.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Brunei - A guide to birdwatching in Brunei


Click here to access the 84 page guide to Birds on Borneo!

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Royal Mail – Christmas Posting Dates.

Royal Mail Christmas 2025 Last Recommended Posting Dates.

Please take note of the Last Posting Dates if you've got cards and gifts to send before Christmas!

Germany: What's On

Lots to do at the markets and Christmas events on this final advent weekend. Try a trip to the following markets for a special Last Christmas market trip before the big day. 

Winterberg Winter Village 

Lovingly decorated wooden huts with a variety of Advent and winter activities await you in the market square in the heart of Winterberg's town centre.

 

Copyright Steffi Rost

The market is open daily from 12 noon and closes at 5pm on Christmas Eve and 1 am on New years Eve /Day.

Willingen Winter Fairytale Until 21st Dec 

The charming little Christmas market in Willingen's spa gardens is a popular meeting place for the whole family and sweetens the Advent season. 

Open every weekend in December until the 21st Dec 1600 -1900.

Copyright Stadt Willingen 

Brunssum: Josie's Cafe closed 18th December

 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Germany: Christmas 2025 Waste Collection Schedule Changes

 ðŸ“… Christmas 2025 Waste Collection Schedule Changes

ASP has adjusted collection days due to the Christmas holidays. Please ensure all bins are placed at the roadside, clearly visible, by 7 a.m. on the revised collection day at the latest.
Original DateHolidayRevised Collection Date
Thursday, Dec 25Christmas DaySaturday, Dec 20
Friday, Dec 26Boxing DaySaturday, Dec 27



♻️ Recycling Centre Opening Hours
Opening hours for the period "between the years" are also modified.

An der Talle Recycling Centre

Regular Hours: Open as usual on standard operating days.
  • Christmas Eve (Dec 24): Open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • New Year's Eve (Dec 31): Open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Driburger Straße Recycling Centre Closure: This centre will be closed from December 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026, inclusive.

📲 Accessing Your Personalized Waste Calendar & Visual Aids

For the most accurate and visual information tailored to your specific address, the ASP recommends using their digital tools:

Official Website: You can access all current disposal dates and the opening hours of ASP facilities online on the ASP Paderborn website. Here you can find a street index and PDF downloads.

Mobile App: The free "mymuell.de" app provides reliable reminders for collection dates, a waste A-Z guide for sorting, and a location finder (with map) for the nearest containers and recycling centres. Download the app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Brunei: Starlight Year End Festival - Wednesday 31 December 2025 4pm - 1am @ Jerudong Park Colonnade


Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: 2025 OP NEPTUNE



Between November and February Brunei experiences higher rainfall, dominant Northeast winds, and increased cycles of bad weather/storms, which can all result in a higher North Easterly surge in tides. If these conditions combine with a High Tide or ‘King Tide’, it can result in flooding.

HQ BFB is taking proactive steps to protect its infrastructure and its people. This includes the erection of flood defences around vulnerable technical infra and SFA/SLA. The flood defences form barricades, often around points of ingress and egress, therefore SP and LECs are urged to take care when around or moving over defences.

Across the BFB GAR SP, LECs and families are urged to undertake the following actions in preparation for possible flooding:

  • Inspect and Position Flood Equipment. Place flood boards and sandbags at entrances and critical areas.
  • Ensure water pumps are in working condition and strategically positioned.
  • Prepare Emergency Kits. Include essentials: bottled water, a torch with spare batteries, a battery powered radio, waterproof clothing, cash and a mobile phone with a charger / power bank.
  • Protect Valuables and Equipment. Raise important documents, IT equipment and furniture up off the floor. Unplug electrical devices. Roll up carpets and rugs and secure them on raised platforms.
  • Communication. Ensure all family members know the emergency contact list and their roles.
  • Further information can be found in the BFB OP NEPTUNE 2025 Leaflet.  
Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: RMP Vacant Property Survey - Register your property as vacant to trigger extra patrols

Please click the image to enlarge.

BFB Vacant Property Scheme

Leaving your property vacant and want the RMP to keep an eye on it whilst you are away? Scan the QR code and fill in the form it takes less than two minutes.

RMP Top Tips
  • Make your home look occupied by using lights and timers.
  • Make entry difficult by securing all doors and windows.
  • Keep valuables out of sight.
  • Reporting any faults or overgrown shrubbery to DIO so that potential criminals have no place to hide.
  • Consider the installation of CCTV doorbells, they are really effective.
Keep an eye on one another, we are a community. If something doesn’t look right call us on +833 0252.The Vacant Property Survey allows the RMP security team to identify those houses that will be vacant during leave periods more effectively and to trigger more frequent security patrols.

Click here Vacant Property Survey or Scan the QR Code.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.