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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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Monday, December 29, 2025

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


Friday, December 26, 2025

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.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

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.

BRUNEI: Cafes and Restaurants in Seria & Kuala Belait


Here's a list of some of the cafes and restaurants in Seria & Kuala Belait.


SERIA CAFES

Cafe Hopping
Address: No. 72A, Jalan Bunga Kenaga, Seria Brunei
Phone: Whatsapp +673 868 8592
Business Hours: Sunday - Thursday -  9am – 6pm
                             Friday 9am-12nn; 2pm - 7pm
IGcafehopping_bn

Coffee Industry
Address: Unit G4. G/F, Lot 10 Jalan Sultan Omar Ali, Seria Brunei
Phone: +673 828 8590 / +673 322 8590
Business Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9am – 6pm
                           Friday 9am - 12nn; 2pm – 6pm
IG: coffeeindustry.bn

Thinking Cup Cafe
Address: Unit G2, 10 Jalan Sultan Omar Ali, Seria Brunei
Phone: Whatsapp +673 899 8191 
Business Hours:  Friday - Closed
                              Saturday - Thursday 7am - 6pm
                              Sunday - 8am - 430pm

Macchiato Cafe
Address: Lot 10, Unit G1, Tingkat Bawah Jalan Sultan Omar Ali, Seria Brunei
Phone: +673 883 1805
Business Hours: Monday - Saturday - 630am – 6pm
                             Friday 630am - 12nn; 2pm - 6pm
                             Sunday - 730am – 6pm
IGmacchiatocafe.bn

KUALA BELAIT CAFES 

The Corner House 
Address: Lot 2, Shop 31, Jalan Pretty, Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 333 2671 / WA +673 729 9313
Business Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
                           Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed
IGThe Corner House

The Slice By IA
Address: H5Mr+7MR, Jalan Pretty, Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 333 8255
Business Hours: Tuesday - Sunday - 9am – 6pm
                              Friday 9am-12nn; 2pm - 6pm
                              Monday - Closed

Little John Bean
Address: X-4 Jalan Maulana, Kuala Belait
Business Hours: Monday – Saturday - 5pm - 12am
                             Sunday - Closed

Lane Microbakery & Coffee
Phone: +673 816 6825
Address: 25E, Jalan Pretty, Kuala Belait
Business Hours: Sunday - Thursday - 9am - 4pm
                              Friday - 9am-12nn; 2pm - 4pm
                              Saturday - Closed


SERIA RESTAURANTS

The Gurkha Palace
Food: Nepalese
Address: 47 Jalan Bunga Melor, Seria, KB
Phone: +673 322 1474
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 9am – 11pm
                             Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed
FBThe Gurkha Palace

Santuari
Food: Western / Asian
Address: Panaga Club, Seria
Phone: +673 737 7943
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 730am – 930pm
                             Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed
IGSantuari

Serikandi Panaga Club
Food: Western / Asian
Address: Panaga Club, Seria
Phone: +673 336 2350
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 730am – 9pm
                              Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Marilyn Cafe Seria & KB
Food: Western / Asian
Address: Lot 2657 Jalan Bunga Melor, Seria
                 No. 12, Jalan Pretty, Kuala Belait
Phone: 
+673 322 3227(Seria) / WA +673 733 2318
             +673 333 3066(KB) / WA +673 733 2318
Business Hours: 
Seria Branch - Monday - Saturday 7am - 7pm
                        Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed
KB Branch - Monday – Sunday 8am – 9pm
                    Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed
IG: Marilyn Cafe

Kaizen Sushi Seria & KB
Food: Japanese
Address: No. 26 Jalan Sultan Omar Ali 1st Floor, Seria
                1F No. 9, Kalan Pretty Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 333 2662
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 11am – 230pm; 530pm – 10pm
                           Friday – 10am – 12nn; 2pm – 330pm


KUALA BELAIT RESTAURANTS

Serikandi Café & Restaurant KB
Food: Western / Asian
Address: Lot 4004 Jalan Setia Di Raja, KB
Phone: +673 333 2862
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 730am – 9pm
                              Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Beanery & Co
Food: Western / Asian
Address: No. 81 A/ 1 Jalan Bunga Rambai, G/F, Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 334 7772
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 9am - 10pm
                              Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Pastamania
Food: Italian
Address: Unit G5 & G6, G/F KB Sentral Shopping Centre, Kg Mumong, KB
Phone: +673 719 7441
Business Hours: Monday - Sunday 10am -10pm
                             Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Bombay Palace
Food: North Indian
Address: Unit 1 & 2, Ground Floor, Lot No 6176, Near Bus Depot, KB
Phone: +673 334 2513 / +673 869 4840
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 830am -9pm
                           Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Buccaneer Restaurant
Food: Western
Address: Lot #94 Ground Floor Jalan Mckerron, KB
Phone: +673 333 0406
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 2pm; 5pm – 930pm
                            Friday 10am – 12pm; 5pm – 930pm

Nur Wanita
Food: Thai
Address: Jln.Setia Di-Raja, Unit 11-12, G. Floor Komplek Harapan, KB
Phone: + 673 334 7789
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 9am – 10pm
                           Friday 9am – 12nn; 2pm – 10pm
IGNur Wanita

Sweet Lemongrass
Food: Thai
Address: Bgn Urairah, Lot 38564 Kg. Kiulap, Kuala Belait
Phone+673 333 7333
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 11am – 11pm
                            Friday 12pm-2pm – Closed

Red Chilli's Restaurant
Food: North Indian
Address: Lot 82, Unit A&B, Jalan Bun Tanjung Pekan, 
Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 893 3858
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 7am – 2pm; 5pm – 9pm
                           Friday – 
7am – 12pm; 5pm – 9pm


Al Malabar Restaurant
Food: Indian
Address: Pandan 4, 
Kuala Belait
Phone: +673 334 0737
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 7am – 9pm
                           Friday – 
7am – 12pm; 2pm – 9pm

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

BRUNEI: Brunei - Indoor Children's Playgrounds


Check out these playgrounds around Brunei. Some of these playgrounds have cafes where adults can sit and have a drink while the kids play. Some of these playgrounds also host birthday parties!

And remember to pack socks otherwise you'll end up having to buy them!

MONKEYBARS CO

Address: No. 3&4, Lot 9189 Jalan Jaya Negara, Kuala Belait KA1931, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Sun 9am – 9pm
             Fri – Closed between 12nn - 2pm

Phone: +673 745 2888

For more information or enquiries, please visit MONKEYBARS CO

RAR’A’KIZ CAFÉ and INDOOR PLAYGROUND

Address: Unit 21, Ground Floor, Lot 7191, Bangunan Hj Hassan Ghani, Jalan Jaya Negara, Kg Pandan, Kuala Belait, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Sun TIME 9am - 9pm
            Tue – Closed
            Fri – Closed between 12nn - 2pm

Phone: +673 813 9557

For more information or enquiries, please visit RAR’A’KIZ CAFÉ and INDOOR PLAYGROUND

RAINBOW PLAYLAWN BRUNEI

Address: S13 & S14, 2nd Floor, Impiana Kompleks, Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Thurs 10am – 930pm
            Fri 8am – 12nn; 2pm – 930pm
            Sat & Sun 8am – 930pm
    
Phone: +673 258 0220

For more information or enquiries
, please visit RAINBOW PLAYLAWN BRUNEI

TWINKLE KIDS CAFÉ


Address: Unit No. 6&7, Ground Floor, Block A, One Riverside, Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs 10am – 10pm
            Tue 12pm – 10pm
            Fri 9am – 12nn; 2pm - 10pm
            Sat & Sun 9am – 10pm

Phone: +673 224 1692

For more information or enquiries
, please visit TWINKLE KIDS CAFÉ

FUNBLOCKS EDUTAINMENT


Address:: 3/F Huaho Manggis Mall, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Thurs 12nn – 9pm
            Fri 2pm – 9pm
            Sat & Sun 10am – 9pm

Phone: +673 234 1954

For more information or enquiries
, please visit FUNBLOCKS EDUTAINMENT

TIMESZONE BRUNEI

Address: 2/F, Times Square Shopping Centre, Spg 13-29, Jln Berakas, Kg Jaya Setia, Mukim Berakas A, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 10pm
             Fri – Closed between 12nn – 2pm

Phone: +673 233 0323

For more information or enquiries, please visit TIMESZONE BRUNEI

Adventureland/Bon Appetit

Address: Unit 4 & 5 Bangunan PSI Spg 363 Kg Tungku, Brunei

Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 930pm
            Fri – closed between 12nn – 230pm

Phone: +673 244 9009/ +673 731 7099

For more information or enquiries, please visit ADVENTURELAND/BONAPPETIT

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Brunei: SMNF Payau Farm 29 December 2025 - 1 January 2026

 


Follow SMNF Payau Farm's Instagram page for more information. 

Information provided by Brunei HIVE.

BRUNEI: PCMF eConsult



Please scan the QR code above or click HERE to access econsult.

E-Consultation Postcode

Please follow the steps below:

On the eConsult page, enter: 
  • BFPO 11 or BF1 3AG in the Postcode box (do not click Find Address).
  • Your SFA/SLA address.


Click Next Step and fill in the information as prompted.


Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.