Brunssum: Visit Hoensbroek Castle

 

Located less than 4 miles from Brunssum in the province of Zuid-Limburg, Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in The Netherlands.
Hoensbroek is a castle museum which offers adventure hunts for children, and for adults, collections featuring fashions and objects dating back centuries.

Other activities for children include workshops for perfume-making, fencing, birds of prey and falconry, shepherding, archery and clay pigeon shooting. Participate in all these activities dressed in typical castle attire!

Meet the Knights of the Lordship of Hoensbroek every first Sunday of the month - enjoy their sword fighting skills and practice archery with them.

Discount on tickets if booked online.
For more information: https://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

SHAPE: Mini Melodies, Tuesdays at 11:00, SHAPE International Library

If you have under 4's, here is a new class to pop along to at the SHAPE International Library.

Introducing Mini Melodies! Run by our very own Zanne, this is a musical mash-up of signing, singing, learning and laughing.

WHEN: Every Tuesday, 11:00
WHERE: SHAPE International Library

HOW: No sign-up required, just turn up

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

NAPLES: Saturday 14th March - NATO chats - France

 

The International Club will be hosting the second session of NATO Chats at the wonderful library on the second floor in the MWA building.  

This second session is focussed on France, it's culture, its history, and its people.

To book your spot click here Tickets

Information provided by NAPLES Hive

Brunssum: Visit Hasselt

 

In Hasselt, Belgium, a 45 minute drive from Brunssum, is a tranquil Japanese garden.
It is the perfect setting to fully experience the Japanese culture.

There are benches to sit on to enjoy the sound of waterfalls, koi fish to spot and feed, picnic places and paths for peaceful walks.

There are different activities/events on every month. View their website here.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026.

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

SHAPE: Please check your letterboxes regularly and read on...

Please check your letter box, a few letters have been sent recently.

• The local tax (waste collection) from Mons and Jurbise communes have been sent and Soignies will appear soon; DIO will pay on your behalf.
• Compulsory Education Check letter from Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles
• “Amende administrative – excercice d’imposition 2025” €50.00 fine for the income tax letter not been completed.

Please react quickly and email Nadia, our lovely HNLO, the letters to avoid reminder letters, fines and bailiffs knocking at your door.

It is good practice to get into the habit of checking your home mailbox regularly; its the one time you can pass the bills onto someone else!

Thank you for your support!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Non-UK Nationals: Guidance on Changes to Entering the UK as a Dual British National

HQ Regional Command

Regional Command Non-UK Support - RC-Pers-NUKNSp-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Changes to Entering the UK as a Dual British National

From 25 February 2026, dual British nationals must be able to demonstrate their right of abode when entering the UK. British citizens cannot apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and must instead provide approved documentation confirming their right of abode.

Brunssum: QR codes to help

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

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Family Action: Free counselling support for military personnel, veterans, and families

In support of the British forces, Relate (part of Family Action) can provide six free sessions of relationship and family counselling, and counselling for military personnel, veterans, and families (via webcam), for the following –

Who’s eligible

Serving RAF personnel

RAF Veterans

Family members of the above

Includes personnel posted/deployed overseas

Career Transition Partnership – Upcoming Employment Fairs in Bristol, Edinburgh, Kent and Plymouth

CTP Employment Fairs are open to:

Service leavers
Veterans
Reservists
Partners and spouses

Service leavers/Reservists: To find out more and to reserve a place, please visit: https://www.modctp.co.uk/home/list-events

Family members/veterans: Register via email to CTP.events@reed.com

To view all 2026 CTP Employment Fair locations and dates, please go to: https://armyhiveinfo.blogspot.com/2026/01/career-transition-partnership-2026.html