BELGIUM: Monuments & Moments 16 June 2026 until 11 November 2028

In commemoration of the anniversaries of major memorial sites throughout the West Flanders region, a new First World War Tourism campaign is planned.

The commemorative programme includes anniversaries of the Menin Gate, the Last Post ceremony and Tyne Cot cemetery.

I hope you are able to visit and reflect during this poignant campaign.

For more information, please see https://www.toerismewesthoek.be/nl/monuments-moments

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Helping Your Children Make Sense of the News

Bounce Forward are the leading charity for building psychological fitness. Here are their three top tips on helping your child makes sense of the news....

When big stories are in the news, children hear about them - at school, online, from friends, and sometimes in ways that can feel confusing or worrying.

You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is helping your child think clearly, feel safe to ask questions, and respond in ways that protect their wellbeing.

Here are three simple ways you can support them at home:

1. Help them become a “detective”

If a story sounds dramatic or blames someone, pause together.
You might ask:

• What do we actually know?
• Where did this information come from?
• Could there be another side to the story?
• Is this using words like “always” or “never”?

This builds flexible and realistic thinking - and helps children avoid jumping to conclusions.

2. Use ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’

When emotions are high, “why” questions can sometimes feel blaming.
Instead try:

• What have you heard?
• What do you think about it?
• What worries you most?
• What would help you feel clearer or calmer?

“What” keeps the conversation open and supportive.

3. Choose hope and kindness

It’s easy for children (and adults) to feel overwhelmed by difficult world events. Remind them that choosing hope and kindness doesn’t ignore reality - it helps us move forward.
You could ask:

• What’s one small positive thing we could do?
• How can we show kindness right now?
• Who is helping in this situation?

Even small actions help children feel less powerless and more resilient.

You don’t need to solve the world’s problems in one conversation. Simply listening calmly, asking thoughtful questions and modelling balanced thinking makes a powerful difference.

For more information, resources, support and learning materials, check out the Bounce Forward Website

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Brunssum: Castle Arcen

 

Enjoy the castle and gardens where every season has its own charm. 
You can combine your visit with a bike ride or a creative workshop.

Plenty for children to do - they can go on a discovery tour in the park with a treasure hunt, have a game of mini golf, play on the man-made beach and feed the animals in the petting meadow. 

Brunssum: Adult Horse Riding Lessons

Click here to view a larger version of the above poster.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

 

SSAFA CHAT HV is Back

Parenting overseas can feel hard. You may be far from family, friends, or the support you’re used to. That’s why CHAT HV is back. It gives you easy, friendly access to a UK Health Visitor, even when you’re living abroad.

What is CHAT HV?

CHAT HV is a simple online chat where you can talk to a trained Health Visitor. You can ask questions about sleep, feeding, crying, behaviour, or anything that’s worrying you. Nothing is too small.

Brunssum: Thermae 2000, Valkenburg

 

With the aim of relaxing in a luxurious way and creating the balance between mind and body, all facilities of Thermae 2000 offer everything to create a perfect wellness day.

With indoor and outdoor pools, many (panorama) saunas, whirlpools, relaxation rooms, several restaurants, the beauty salon and the wellness hotel, Thermae 2000 has everything you need to spend an entire day, on the beautiful Cauberg. 

The latest addition to Thermae 2000 are the wine baths, where you can bathe in wine and you can now enjoy the heated outdoor pool again with a view over the beautiful South Limburg hills!

Price for day entrance: €32,50 p.p.
Price for evening entrance: €25,00 p.p

NATO discount available. See the HIVE blog post on NATO and Military discounts for more information.

To book click here

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BELGIUM: Les Gilles: Who are they?

Have you heard of you Les Gilles and wonder who they are and what their costumes and antics mean? The outfits, the shuffle dance and the orange throwing? Well wonder no more..... 

 

Les Gilles date back to 1795 in documented records but speculation suggests they may go back as far as the mid-1500s when they were thought to have been part of a ‘Joyous Welcome’ to Brussels for Charles V, the King of Spain. 

Today, they are the renowned characters of the Binche Carnival, an annual spectacle that takes place on Shrove Tuesday each year and has been celebrated for the past 600 years. Les Gilles start at 4am and go through until the late hours, dancing to traditional songs as they parade the streets of their locality. In 2003, the Binche Carnival was named by UNESCO as the ‘Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’.  

Les Gilles wear spectacular costumes consisting of a linen suit featuring heraldic designs in the colours of the Belgian flag, with a frilly white lace collar and cuffs. Their suits are stuffed with straw to give them the appearance of a barrel chest & a hunched back and they wear bells attached to their belt. On their heads they wear either, a white cotton skull cap or a large white Ostrich Plume headpiece that stands up to 90 centimetres tall and can weigh up to 3kg! These extravagant outfits are thought to be homage to the inca-inspired costumes worn by those attending the ‘Joyous Welcome’ back in the 16th century. Local touches have subsequently been added to include the wooden clogs that add to the stompy dance they perform.  

Les Gilles carry a ‘Ramon’ which is a bunch of dry willow twigs bound together with rattan, to ward off evil spirits or a wicker basket containing oranges, which are thrown to the crowd as they pass by. This tradition hails back to a time when oranges were considered a luxury item symbolising wealth and abundance. Today, this gesture is symbolic of generosity and good luck; they are something of a gift from les Gilles and to throw one back is not only considered bad luck but is seen as a grave insult. 

These stars of Belgian folklore are not exclusive to Binche but can be found in many other towns across the Walloon Region. They may all have their own local traditions or unique twists to their costumes; however, one thing is for sure, they certainly are a memorable sight. 

Catch them at the Taste of Belgium Event (ToBE) in late-May!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

BRUNEI: Thrift Shop - Donation & Selling Guidelines

Donation & Selling Guidelines – Please Read Before Donating/ Bringing in your items

We truly appreciate your generosity and support. To ensure we can provide quality items to our customers and maintain health and safety standards, we kindly ask that all donations meet the following guidelines:

We are unable to accept:

• Opened or used beauty products

• Opened craft items such as play dough/paint

• Used Swimwear for children or adults (we only accept items with hygiene stickers intact) also including underwear and socks

(Swimming bikini top / or swim top is accepted)

• Items containing batteries

• Clothing with significant stains, holes, or excessive wear

All donated/ Account items should be clean, in good condition, and ready for resale.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. You make a meaningful difference in our community.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BRUNEI: Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM) - Ramadan Operating Hours for Petrol Stations

Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM)

Based on Brunei Shell Marketing (BSM) guidelines for previous and recent Ramadan periods, retail petrol stations in Brunei, including those in the Belait District (Seria/Kuala Belait), generally adjust their hours to accommodate breaking fast (Sungkai) and Taraweeh prayers.

Here are the expected Ramadan operating hours for stations in the Seria area based on BSM's typical Ramadan schedule:

Seria & Belait District Petrol Stations (Ramadan) 

• Roxana Shell Service Station (Seria): Historically operates from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a scheduled break for staff during breaking fast, usually around 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM.

• KPPM Seria Service Station: Typically operates from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with a break from 6:15 PM to 7:15 PM.

• Syarikat Perniagaan Melayu Kuala Belait: Usually 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, break from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM.

Key Information for Ramadan Sungkai Break: Almost all stations close for a short period (typically 30–60 minutes) around 6:00 PM for the breaking of fast.

First Day of Ramadan: Some stations may have reduced hours or be closed on the first day of Ramadan.

Extended Hours: Stations may extend hours on the last few days of Ramadan to accommodate increased traffic.

Recommendation: It is highly advised to #BeliAwal (Buy Early) and plan your fuel purchases to avoid long queues just before the break.

Note: For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute hours for the current 1446H/2025-2026 Ramadan, it is recommended to check the official Brunei Shell Marketing Instagram page or call their 24-hour centre at 2244739.

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE. 

BRUNEI: BFB Libraries - Children's Library Closed For Renovation

For more information, please visit our INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK pages or send an email to BruneiGar-Lib-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Information provided by BRUNEI HIVE.