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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, October 27, 2025

Germany: What's On This Week

  • The bookings for this weekends Halloween party at Loseke community centre are now closed. 
  • Saturday 1st Nov is All Saints Day which is a public holiday. Most businesses will be closed for the day. Cafes and restaurants are allowed to open but not all will do so.
  • Please remember the Garrison rules for pedestrians and cyclists on camp in low light conditions. Wear Hi - Vis, stick to the paths and ensure cycles have working front and back lights. 

Munster Send 25th Oct - 2nd November - Massive funfair in Munster. One of the largest funfairs in Münsterland attracts up to one million visitors to Münster's Schlossplatz every year. Large Fireworks show on the Friday night.   Drive time 1hr 30 mins.

Image Copyright Stadt Munster

Medieval Halloween  - 31st Oct - Tierpark Naderman Delbruck Drive time 24 mins.  “Over three days of the festival, music, juggling, and medieval theatre guarantee an entertaining spectacle from days gone by. 

Musical groups will present historical music in the style of medieval minstrels, and visitors will witness songs, dances, and melodies from ancient sources, enriched by farces, foolishness, juggling, and sleight of hand, illuminating the old days in a new light”. Details and tickets on the website

Image Copyright Tierpark Naderman

Paderween -  31st Oct https://www.paderborn.de/tourismus-kultur/veranstaltungen/paderween_308554.php Paderborn Library 

Enjoy the 1st Paderween  – An imaginative Halloween event for the whole family. A magical world full of creativity, encounters, and literary inspiration will be created around the city library.

Children and families can look forward to a diverse program: creative workshops, readings, walk-acts, a scary labyrinth, photo opportunities, and plenty of surprises. Whether it's face painting, crafts, storytelling, or puzzles – the focus here is on the fun of discovery and invention.

Admission is free, but registration is required for some workshops.

Image Copyright Stadt Paderborn

Food walk various dates - Bielefeld - Paderborn - Munster - Hanover- Ticket price 45 Euro - 4 bites & 1 drink across 5 different restaurants. learn more in the website. https://food-walk.de/ 

Soest All Saints Fair 5th - 9th Nov - Enjoy one of the most popular fairs in Europe. Each year around a million visitors come to Soest on the three days of the fair.  By car Soest is 45 mins. you can also use the RE11 train from Paderborn. 

Image copyright Stadt Soest 

If you travel by car a Park and ride service has been set up from the  ‘Kaufland’ and ‘Toom’ stores on Senator-Schwartz-Ring, and the CEAG premises.

If you use this P+R service, a shuttle bus will take you directly to the Old Town every 10 minutes, stopping at the Sparkasse bank on Puppenstraße at the gate to the Old Town, and the price of 3€ round trip for those over 14 years old.  


Alpaca Walks - Enjoy you own personal Alpaca hike in NRW - Various Dates available

About 45 mins from Sennelager. You will find the Auenland Alpaca farm. Here you can book in and meet the Alpacas which live there. You can even purchase a hike with the Alpaca's. 



The Alpaca hike is €36 per person with an alpaca. Children up to 6 years old are free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Children up to 13 years old can lead an alpaca on a double lead, accompanied by an adult.

The walk around the nature reserve and the Lutter meadows lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (approx. 5 km), plus about half an hour for instruction and a final stop at the farm. Here you can enjoy a drink and see our entire herd, and we will be happy to answer your questions.

As we walk mainly on meadow and forest paths, please wear sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and insect repellent if necessary.

Dogs are not allowed on the walk. Our route is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for strollers or wagons. Visit the website here