Friday 30 April 2021

Things to do - Technopolis

Technopolis - just outside Brussels is a fantastic interactive science museum. 
 
 
 
Address; Technologielaan, 2800 Mechelen
 
Distance from SHAPE; One hour and 8 minutes by car. FREE parking.
 
 
Opening times; CLICK HERE
 

You need to pre-book tickets; Buy your tickets HERE
 
Toilets and Cafe; Toilets - yes open. Cafe is open and the indoor picnic area (you can bring your own food) Cafe Information HERE
 
Top tips; Like most places in Belgium, get there early and enjoy a full day!
 
 

 
 

Belgium Emergency Contact numbers

 

 
 
EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police 101

FIRE 100

Emergency 112

Med Centre 065 4458 24/5

Out of hours Medical Contact Number +44 (0) 208 481 7800

Dental Centre 065 4458 78 US Medical/Dental Clinic 02 686 1515

SHAPE UK EJSU duty officer 0477 354 381 

SHAPE Housing Clerk: 065 44 4620 or email: SHAPEUKSU-MaintClk@mod.uk

Emergency housing (SHAPE out of hours) 0475 753 850 

SHAPE medical centre opening hours: Monday-Thursday 0800-1630 Friday 0800-1530

SHAPE Welfare Team contact numbers:Chris Jones Area Welfare Officer: 065 445234 / 0478970280Padre Paul Mellor 065 445346 / 0470 664582

MOD Families - Children Moving Schools, the Pupil Passport And A Parents' Guide

The Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) supports operational effectiveness through the provision of educational support to service and eligible MOD civilian families.


The CEAS has produced some useful booklets to support you and your child when moving from school to school.
 

To view or download the Pupil Passport

please click HERE
 

The Moving Schools A Parents' Guide booklet may help when moving from one location to another.
 It is recognised that there are very individual and specific issues that Service children may experience as a result of parental mobility and deployment.

To view or download
the Parents' Guide to Moving School please click HERE

 If you have particular concerns or would like to discuss your child’s education further, please contact CEAS, details HERE

Thursday 29 April 2021

TogetherAll - Mental Health Awareness Week, 10th to 16th May


It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and this year the theme is ‘Nature’.

Over the last year, we have all been confined to our homes, with many of us struggling to cope with our mental health. Evidence shows that going for walks outside was one of the top coping strategies and 45% of people reported that being in green spaces has been vital for their mental health throughout the pandemic.

However, many of us may face barriers that might stop us connecting with nature. For example, you may be limited by your environment and access to outdoor space. Or you may be unused to spending time in green space and find it uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Our partners at Togetherall have created some tips and suggestions for you to consider:

Start small – Try spending just five minutes a day for the next week paying attention to nature in your everyday life. Just taking a brief moment to notice and celebrate nature can help you to be more present in your daily life - and you might be surprised by what you notice!

Do things you find relaxing – You might like to go for a walk, read or paint in natural surroundings. Remember, that being outdoors doesn’t always have to be exercising, sometimes just being is enough.

Ask for support – If you feel anxious in new places or social situations, you could ask someone you trust to go with you at first or you could even connect with others & share how you’re feeling on Togetherall. Did you know that you have FREE access to Togetherall mental health support? Togetherall is a safe, anonymous online community. You can get support, or you can support others. Sign up here today. https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area

Bring nature indoors – If finding vast outside space isn’t geographically possible, or maybe it feels overwhelming at the moment, you could explore ways of bringing nature indoors. A small and simple way to bring nature inside can be buying flowers, or even taking photos of your favourite places in nature. Use these pictures as backgrounds on a mobile phone or computer screen as a reminder of those relaxing moments you have captured.

We all have different experiences of nature, and different reasons for wanting to connect with it more. This Mental Health Awareness Week we invite you to #ConnectWithNature and share what this means for you at Togetherall.com. Sign up here today. https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area
 

 

 

Wednesday 28 April 2021

Ten Tors Youth Group Leaders Event

To register - use link above
 

Armed Forces Offer - Costco

As a current or retired employee of the Armed Forces you are eligiable for membership of costco wholesale. Please provide proof of membership and one form of phot identfication.

Sign  up before te 31/12/21 and get a £10 voucher.

Click HERE to find your nearest store


 

LifeWorks - Support For Military Families

Military families are often forced to move and change jobs due to their partner's service. Job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic have also hit them hard.

LifeWorks are there to provide support and help military families who are looking for work. All of the support is free to access.  

Contact details 0800 319 6844, email; lifeworks@rbli.co.uk.

 

SSAFA's Bereaved Support Group - Online Session

SSAFA's Bereaved Support Group is running an online session on Sat 8 May to give participants an opportunity to talk openly in a safe space with like-minded people. 

Open to members of SSAFA's support groups / those who are eligible.

Please click HERE for more information

Tuesday 27 April 2021

Technical issue causes double payment problems for Carrefour customers

If your weekend shopping bill from Carrefour seemed twice as much as usual this week, don’t worry, the supermarket chain said on Monday. People shopping in their stores on Saturday – or anywhere else where a Belgian Maestro card may have been used – were shocked to discover that they’d been charged twice but, according to Carrefour, the money will be returned in the coming days. Just not by Carrefour, which says the double payment problem has nothing to do with them.

"It's a technical issue," a Carrefour spokesperson explained. "Aggrieved customers will be reimbursed by their own bank. If in a few days they have not received the refund, we invite our customers to contact their bank. Carrefour can't do anything. But we can say there is no longer a problem."

Thousands of people may have been affected by the issue that caused the double withdrawals on Saturday, 24 April. By Monday evening, Carrefour had apparently identified the source. According to the supermarket group, it is a problem which lies with the French payment and transactional services company Worldline which acts as an intermediary between a customer’s bank and the recipient of the fee.

However, Worldline maintains that the problem does not come from its side. In any case, customers affected by this double withdrawal will be reimbursed by their bank, according to Carrefour, which assured customers that it had not received the double amounts even if customers have been charged twice.

 

Source; The Bulletin 27/4/21

 

Monday 26 April 2021

FREE Entry to Windsor Castle and The Royal Collection

FREE Entry to Windsor Castle and The Royal Collection
 
MOD90 or Armed Forces ID card holders can visit Windsor Castle with up to four friends or family for FREE after 12 noon. Be sure to check the Royal Collection website to plan and make the most of your visit :
 
Call ahead of your visit on 0303 123 7300 check that the castle is open to the public (no advance booking required).
 
Bring your MOD90 / Armed Forces ID with you to get you and up to four friends or family in for FREE. Please remember to take photographic ID too.
 
For summer 2021 MOD90 cardholders are eligible for tickets to the Garden at Buckingham Palace which is open between 9 July and 19 September 2021. 
 
Further details about The Garden at Buckingham Palace can be found at the link below. The Palace of Holyrood House and the Queen’s Gallery, Edinburgh will be re-opening to the public on Monday, 26 April 2021. 
 
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle will be re-opening to the public on Monday, 17 May 2021.
 
Click the link below for more information:

Friday 23 April 2021

DIO Loan Stores

 

DIO LOAN STORES

 
The SHAPE DIO department has a number of items that can be ‘loaned’ without cost by eligible members of the community. 
 
They can be ordered in advance and collected during their working hours for pre-defined periods as necessary.
 
A list of what is available is shown below.
 
Please contact Mr Eddy Caty on mail to:Eddy.Caty100@mod.gov.uk to book an item and arrange collection:
 
March-out Items (available for all occasions)
Pressure Washer
Carpet cleaner
 
Replenish items
Salt
Rubbish Bags
 
Items for events
Folding tables (for 50+ people)
Polyprop chairs (for 50+ people)
Cutlery (for 50+ people)
Glasses – wine, champagne, beer 10z and ½ pint (for 50+ people)
Crockery (for 50+ people)

Thursday 22 April 2021

Brussels bans marine mammals in captivity, challenging other regions

 

The Brussels Capital-Region has official banned keeping marine mammals, which include seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins. The ban means that a marine mammal park will never be allowed to operate in Brussels borders, nor any other business that keeps such animals in an enclosed habitat.

Brussels is not, in fact, home to any such park, but the ban ensures that a permit for this kind of endeavour can never be granted. It also issues a challenge to the rest of Belgium – and to surrounding countries – to end the keeping of marine mammals in captivity.

Keeping the animals – and having them perform for the public – “is still allowed in Flanders and Wallonia,” Brussels animal welfare minister Bernard Clerfayt (Défi) said. “We hope that our measure encourages them to ban this as well.” 

Wednesday 21 April 2021

Struggling With Debt? Community Money Advice Can Help

Community Money Advice

Struggling with debt? 

We know all about debt and what impact it has: it can feel like being in a prison where you can see no way out; it can make you feel afraid, ashamed, guilty, angry. We know it can make every part of your life hard and stressful and make you feel you can’t face another day.

Our services are always:
Free

Confidential

Sympathetic - you’ll never be judged

Please click HERE for more information

Tuesday 20 April 2021

Armed Forces Healthcare Briefing 9th April 2021


 To read the briefing in full please click HERE

BFBS & Tickets for Troops invite you to quiz Alan Shearer - Tues 27th April

To get your ticket, simply register with Tickets for Troops HERE or email liveevents@bfbs.com with the subject heading TICKETS PLEASE!

The deadline for tickets is 12pm UK time on Tuesday 27th April.

Monday 19 April 2021

FANDF Spring Newsletter


 To read the FANDF Spring newsletter please click HERE

Wednesday 7 April 2021

Things to do; Chateau d'Havre

Chateau d'Havre;

The Chateau is not far from Bois de Havre  (nice woods for a walk). The Chateau is in need of some repair but there are some small grounds to wander around and a play park and zip wire. (Fine for an hour out with kids) 

Map;  CLICK HERE

Distance from SHAPE; 12 minutes

Address; Rue du Château, 30, B - 7021 Havré

Website; https://chateaudhavre.be/

Dogs; Yes, on a lead

Toilets; No




Friday 2 April 2021

Things to do; Abbaye de Villers

Abbaye de Villers; With the sun shining, this is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Everyone who visits the abbey ruins at Villers, south of Brussels, wonders how they could never have been before. 

We went on Good Friday and really enjoyed our afternoon there. The kids can run about and climb alittle, lots of places to explore! This can easily fill an afternoon. 
 
What’s left of the massive 12th-century abbey that was once home to monks of the Cistercian Order makes for one of the most beautiful sites in Belgium.
Normally buzzing with all kinds of events and activities, corona means your visit is focused on the abbey and its gardens – which is no bad thing.
 
Distance from SHAPE; 40 minutes by car
 
Carparking; Free
 
Cost; Adults - 9 Euro. Children over 6 - 4 euro. Children under 6 - Free
 
Opening Hours; Everyday from 10 am to 5 pm.
 
Address; Rue de l'Abbaye, 55, 1495 Villers-la-Ville (Brabant wallon)
 
 

Dogs; Yes on a lead

Toilets; Yes and open. Both at the start (where you pay) and in the grounds
 
Update 25/03/2021: The Abbey remains open everyday from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm). No reservation necessary.
 
 

 

Thursday 1 April 2021

Things to do; Waux Hall Park

Waux Hall Park (Mons)

Waux-Hall is 5 hectares of landscaped parkland, home to many outdoor sculptures (19th to 20th century) located in Mons.

The park has been the property of the City of Mons since 1892, and offers many leisure possibilities: Boating, walks, small playground and tennis courts.

This is a space for leisure, relaxation, and nature for all the family. We visited here when we first arrived. Is a nice place to spend a sunny couple of hours for a young family. It is quite small. 

Things to do; Freddy's Woods off Rue d'Ath

Freddy's Woods

I call them Freddy's woods. We go here regularly as they are only a 5 minute drive from SHAPE, usually quiet and you can do a gentle 40 minute to one hour loop (if with kids) or a longer walk if you prefer. This is a great place for walking dogs!
There are lots of trees to climb on.. and if you explore you may spot the HUGE crater!! That will keep the kids/ dog busy for a while or two!

Where; From the Main Gate turn right. Keep going to the speedy garage junction/ lights. Turn right onto Rue D'Ath. Go under the viaduct and past the pharmacy on your left. 
When you see the Bakers/ Charcuterie on the left with a photo shop next to it turn left. This road is called Rue des Nations. Drive right to the bottom. The woods are there. 
Map; You can park here, and you will see the woods; https://www.google.be/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4...
Distance from SHAPE; 6 minutes from SHAPE by car
Buggy Friendly; No
Dogs allowed; Of course!
Toilets; No
Cafe; No
Notes - Can be muddy in parts when bad weather, wear good footwear! 
You can do a loop round. 
From where you park and enter the woods, walk straight till you get to the road - around 10-15 mins, then turn right stay on the main path, (on your left is the railway line) 
Keep going follow the main path round again to the right. At the cross roads keep to the main track again, turning right again. 
Keep going you will eventually end up on the first path you came in on. Turn left and this will take you back to where you have parked. (You have walked around pretty much in a square)


Things to do; Commune de Jurbise Park

Commune de Jurbise Park

This small park is tucked away behind the magnificent building of the Commune de Jurbise. The building is beautiful and the enclosed play area great for little ones. There is also a large grassed area for a kick about, a volley ball court, ping pong tables, a bowls area and outdoor bbqs and benches to use.
There is a little track around the park which my kids loved riding their bikes around. There are exercise stops around the track if you wanted to combine these with a short run. In the summer we would often take a little picnic with us here.
Pre-Covid the town hall would often hold farmers markets, craft fairs and carnivals.
Distance from SHAPE; 12 minutes by car
Address; Rue du Moustier, 8 - 7050 Jurbise
Dogs; Yes - On a lead
Cafe; No
Toilets; No