Things to do; Visit the Citadel of Namur

The Citadel of Namur is located in the beautiful and historical city of Namur. This impressive Citadel is located high on on the cliffs. You can walk to the top where you can take in the amazing views of the City and Rivers. (Look out for the large golden turtle on the way!) 

 

Namur is also a beautiful and fascinating City to wander around with lots of unique and interesting things to spot. 

 

The Citadel is open to walk around. The Terra Nova Visitor Center is open, there are also guided underground tours and the tourist train. All the details can be found on the website.

 

Website; https://citadelle.namur.be/en

 

Cost; For the Visitor Centre it is 5 euro for Adults and 4 euro for children. Under 6 is free. All other prices; https://citadelle.namur.be/en/prices-and-timetables

 

To book tickets; https://namur.getaticket.com/Offres.aspx

 

Distance from SHAPE; 52 minutes by Car

 

Address; Route Merveilleuse 64, 5000 Namur

 

Map; https://www.google.com/maps/place/Citadel+of+Namur/@50.4597979,4.861122,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xab2a86023c884a7b!8m2!3d50.4597979!4d4.861122

 

Dog friendly; Yes, outside and on a lead

 

Buggy Friendly; For the brave, remember it's steep and lots of stairs!

 

Top tips; Take sensible shoes for walking to the top, see above!

Plan for ‘urban forest’ to run from Botanique all the way to Central Station

How would you like that 15-minute walk from Botanique to Central Station to be through a forest? That will eventually be reality as landscape architects Bureau Bas Smets reveal their master plan for Slopes of the Pentagon.

The bureau is working with Brussels-City to create an ‘urban forest’ that would run from Boulevard Pachéco at Botanique, down Berlaimont, past Central Station and on to Place de l'Albertine. The ambitious project is meant to create green space while connecting the neighbourhoods along the way.

“Redeveloping the North-South axis is essential to reconnect the neighbourhoods and to create new meeting places in the area,” says Brussels-City mayor Philippe Close. “This is how we preserve urban diversity. The reconnection of the slopes of the Palace of Justice with the Marolles district was the first step in the realisation of this vision.”

To read the full article CLICK HERE

Thinking About Booking A Day Out - Check Out The Defence Discount Service

 Enjoy the sunshine as we exit lockdown and create lasting memories with our top range of great savings on fun days out across the UK.

From nature walks to historic castles; there's adventures to be had with Defence Discount Service.

Please click HERE to see the Defence Discount Service website

10 tipes for a good nights sleep

Good sleep is essential to good health.

Did you know you can train yourself to improve your sleep habits?

Here are 10 tips to get a better night’s sleep, find more resources at: 

 

Non UK Nationals Guide

  To read the guidance, please CLICK HERE

Welcome To Scotland - New Guide Launched Online

The Scottish Government have launched a new 2021 updated version of Welcome To Scotland.

The Guide is available online at Welcome to Scotland:

 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/welcome-scotland-guide-service-personnel-families-scotland-updated-2021/

Family Life and the Armed Forces Community

The Trust and Directory of Social Change

have published an evaluation report exploring the positive impacts of both the Families in Stress and Removing Barriers to Family Life programmes.

Full details can be found HERE

 

Things to do - Bois de Colfontaine

Bois de Colfontaine - Stretching over Colfontaine, Dour, and Frameries, this 750 hectares of unspoilt woodland has many walking routes. It is a nature must-see, cycling or walking, on paved paths or ‘off the beaten tracks’.

 

There are three signposted routes. The longer 10km (green) and 11 km (pink) long circuits - picture below. For younger visitors, the yellow signposted 'Rando des Leus', provides a 5 km circuit - try and surprise the red squirrel or deer. 

 

Distance from SHAPE; 22 minutes

 

CLICK HERE for a Map;

 

CLICK HERE for the Website

 

Dogs; Yes

 

Cafe; There are two nearby pub/ cafes with outdoor seating and children's play park. Closed at the moment but hopefully not for long!

 

Toilets; Not at the moment, as cafes closed.

 

Buggy friendly; Yes if you stick to the main routes. 

 

Top tips; Can get muddy - good shoes!!

 

Update to Refuge Collection - Blue Bags

As of April 1, 2021, all residents of Hainaut, Liège and Namur Provinces as well as residents in Brussels capital city and Flanders region, can now dispose of almost all plactic containers in their blue trash bags. This was already the case since last year for those served by Ipalle but has now been extended to the areas listed.

The blue trash bags used to only accept cans, plastic bottles, milk cartons and metal food containers.  As of April 1, 2021, almost all plastic packaging can be trashed in the blue recycling bags (see also attached picture).  The items that are not allowed inside the blue bags are:

-        Items with a plastic and aluminium layer that cannot be separated (for instance Capri-Sun individual drinks)

-        Packaging with a child security cap

-        Packages with a poison symbol

-        Packages that contained engine oil, pesticides, silicone

-        Packages that contained more than 8 kg or more

-        Styrofoam

-        Rain boots, water hose, bucket, plastic clothing

Although the blue bags will soon look different, you can continue to utilize the older blue bags.

How To Prepare Your Dog For Post Lockdown

 

Here are the RSPCAs top 5 tips to help your dog adjust to life after lockdown:

1. Help your dog spend more time alone by encouraging them to rest in their own bed or by keeping them in a separate room while you do something else.

2. Try to keep interaction time for when you'll be available once your routine is back to normal, for example, in the evenings after dinner.

3. Give your dog clear signals about when they can be involved in interactions and when they need to occupy themselves. Chew toys or interactive toys that your dog can use without you can help with this.

4. You may also want to think about leaving the house without the dog to help your dog to gradually get used to this part of their routine again. If you need to build up this time for a longer duration or for more frequent absences, think about going to sit in the car to read a book so that you can leave the house and stay within government guidelines. However, if your dog shows any distress when left alone, then pause your plans and seek the support of a qualified behaviourist.

5. If you're returning to using a dog walker, friend or family member to care for your dog while you're busy, your dog might be very excited or even a little apprehensive having spent time with only you. It can be useful for you to remain home on the first walk or two, just in case your dog needs any extra support from you.

For more information from the RSPCA please click HERE

Veterans UK Customer Satisfaction Survey 2021

Veterans UK are always trying to improve the services we deliver to our customers and one of the best ways to understand how we can make improvements is to ask the people who use our services.

The survey is open now and until midnight on Tuesday 6 April at 11.59pm.

If you would like to tell us about your experiences of using our Veterans UK services, please complete our Customer Satisfaction Survey 2021

Turing Scheme Launched 12th March 2021 - Allowing Students To Study And Work Overseas

 

Click HERE to read further

Services Cotswold Centre (SCC)

Home from home

Do you need a change of scenery? Are you looking for a short break after the restrictions of lockdown but don’t want to venture abroad?

In beautiful countryside, just one mile south of the small Cotswold town of Corsham and midway between Bath and Chippenham lies the Services Cotswold Centre, a Tri Service Accommodation Centre.

The Centre is open to any Service person or MOD Civil Servant and their families who need short-term housing for welfare purposes (including contact housing), between assignments, on discharge, home leave or just a short break in the country.

Offering 3- or 4-bedroom self-catering chalets in a secure and peaceful 25-acre site, all accommodation is centrally heated and fully furnished and includes a fridge, freezer, cooker, microwave, TV, Freeview, towels and bedding.

On site facilities include a Community Centre offering internet access, the Tavern Bar, a 24-hour launderette, a fitness suite and 2 fantastic new Playparks.

For a relaxing break at minimal cost, in easy reach of the many tourist attractions the South West offers, contact the Centre on 01225 810358.

The PANDAS Foundation

Offering hope, empathy and support for every parent or network affected by perinatal mental illness.

Please click HERE to access the website

What's The Definition Of Veteran/Ex-Armed Forces Being Used In The Census?

What's the definition of veteran/ex-Armed Forces being used in the Census? 

 Watch this short video HERE to find out.

Op Courage - The Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service

The NHS have launched Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service, which provides specialist care and support for Service Leavers, Reservists, Veterans and their Families.

Find out more HERE

Union Jack Club Free Online Talk: Mental Wellbeing Everyone's Challenge

 

8th March - International Women's Day; Five women who changed the course of Belgian history

International Women’s Day is on Monday, 8 March. We recognise the day devoted to the emancipation of girls and women around the world with a list of five women who helped chart the course of modern Belgian history.

Had Isala Van Diest not had such progressive parents, she might not have become the first woman in Belgium to obtain a university degree, which led to her become its first female doctor. Born in 1842 Leuven to parents who did not believe in educating their daughters and sons differently, Van Diest eventually travelled to Switzerland to obtain her diplomas as university was not open to women in Belgium. 

Told that her foreign medical degree did not allow her to practice in Belgium, she enrolled at the ULB in Brussels when it opened to women a few years later. She famously had to enter the building through a back door as her male classmates took to shouting and throwing rocks at her at the main entrance. She earned her medical degree in 1883 and opened her own practice in Brussels, treating mainly women and children.

To read further inspirational stories CLICK HERE

Things to do - Jemappes Park

Jemappes Park A lovely park close to SHAPE and a great option for an afternoon out without too much travel. Excellent spot for a wander and a super play area for the kids.

These grounds include huge fishponds, tennis courts, a fitness trail, playground, lawns, a rose garden and hundred-year-old trees, such as sequoias, oaks and plantains. 

 

A great place to get the kids out for a couple of hours!

 

Website; CLICK HERE 

 

Address; 35 Rue du Château Guillochain, 7012 Jemappes

 

Map; CLICK HERE

 

Distance to SHAPE; 15 minutes

 

Open; 9.00am - 10.00pm

 

Dogs; Permitted on a lead

 

Cafe and toilets; There is a large cafe with outdoor seating. This is currently closed due to covid. Last week though there was a guy with a trolley selling icecreams, water and beer! 

 

Parking; Is a car park and free of charge

 

Top tips; Can get busy on sunny days. Go early or later on to avoid crowds. Take drinks in case you can't purchase any.

 

For further things to do, visit; http://shapehive.blogspot.com/

 

 

Army and You Magazine

     Click HERE to read

Alliance For Alcohol Awareness In The Army (4Alpha).

4Alpha is a peer2peer support and advice network for alcohol awareness in the Army. 

We are not an official enterprise but a network of professionals, colleagues and supporters that believe we can improve well-being, culture and behaviours by creating a network that is more impactful than the sum of its parts.

Click HERE to access their website

Ikea to resell second-hand goods in all Belgian stores

All Ikea stores will have a "Circular Hub" where customers can buy second-hand products within two years, the Swedish furniture giant said on Monday at the press conference presenting the renovated Circular Hub at its branch in Mons.

The brand opened its first second-hand store in Belgium in 2014 in Hainaut province. Customers can bring back their Ikea furniture, to be sold in-store as second hand by the company, in exchange for a voucher.

"Depending on the condition of the product, customers receive a voucher equivalent of up to half the purchase amount," explained Nathalie Van Edom, sustainability expert at Ikea Belgium.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Circular Hub in Mons had been temporarily closed but has reopened in recent weeks. Within two years, all the Swedish giant's stores will have such a space. A timetable for the complete roll-out of Circular Hubs in Belgium has not yet been set.

For Ikea, second-hand furniture is part of a three-pillar sustainability plan. In addition to selling second-hand goods, the Swedish firm aims to have a zero-waste policy by 2030 and to work only with recycled or renewable materials.

"The Circular Hub is actually the idea of translating our ambitions into stores in terms of the circular economy," explained Caroline Gastaud, head of sustainable development at Ikea.

"We realise that we need to change the way we do business to reuse, repair, repack and recycle. Here in the store, the customer can already buy products that are exhibition models, and models that have been repaired and repackaged. But in these spaces, the customer will also be able to resell his old Ikea furniture."

"In recent years, in the second-hand market, there has been a big development," Gastaud continued. "We felt that customers were ready to engage in this process and to use more second-hand products, such as furniture and accessories. For us, it is a way to become part of this trend that already exists in Belgium."

Ikea has been present in Belgium since 1984 and has eight stores in Belgium: Anderlecht, Zaventem, Ghent, Wilrijk, Hasselt, Arlon, Mons and Hognoul. It employs more than 4,300 people across the country.

For more details 

Soldier Magazine - March Edition

 Click HERE to read more.