Things to Do; The Blue Forest, Hallerbos

The Blue Forest, Hallerbos

Each spring, a dreamlike carpet of bluebells overtakes the forest floor of this Belgian woods. 

 

The Hallerbos, also known as the Blue Forest is covered with millions of bluebells from early Spring into May, creating a beautiful purple floral carpet. 

Visitors can stroll the winding paths, whilst also watching for rabbits and deer that wander through the green and azure woods.

While Hallerbos is mostly known for its bluebells, the forest features nature of all kinds including oak, pine, beech and larch trees and wildlife such as squirrels and foxes.

When we went it was really windy! It's great any time of the year, a lovely place for a family walk or with friends. Car parking is free.

Useful website; https://wonderfulwanderings.com/bluebells-hallerbos-blue-forest/

 

Map; https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hallerbos/@50.6900711,4.2690863,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x716f75cafb68cdad!8m2!3d50.6995887!4d4.2701816

 

Distance from SHAPE; 40 minutes by car

 

Distance from Brussels; 38 minutes by car approx

 

Website; https://www.hallerbos.be/en/

 

Carparks;  https://www.hallerbos.be/en/pictures/car_parks/

 

We parked here; https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+1+Hallerbos/@50.7130568,4.2675029,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2da63223fb20a95a!8m2!3d50.7130568!4d4.2675029

 

Dogs; Yes but must be kept on a lead.

 

Cafes; https://www.hallerbos.be/en/visitors-info/cafes/

 

Buggy Friendly; If you stick to the paths

 

Walks; There are three colour coded marked walks. 1,8k , 4k and 7k. For details; https://www.hallerbos.be/en/visitors-info/walks/

 

Walking Map; https://www.hallerbos.be/download/kaart_hallerbos_wandelfolder_maart_2016.pdf

 

Top tips; Good Walking shoes, it can get muddy. There are no toilets here. 

At weekends when the Bluebells are out it can get busy. Go early or later on to avoid crowds.

 

For more things to do; Take a look at the HIVE Blog at; http://shapehive.blogspot.com/search/label/What%27s%20On

 

Show of original Banksys opens new Brussels gallery

A new gallery is opening next month in Brussels, and the first show is made up of originals by legendary street artist Banksy. Deodato Art will open Banksy: The Brussels Show on 25 March.The exhibition is still running.

To buy tickets; https://banksyexpo.com/bruxelles/

Adult Tickets start at 16.50 euro

Exhibition is 1 minutes walk from te Grande Place

The new gallery on Rue Saint-Jean near Mont des Arts is owned by Deodato Salafia, who already has three outlets in Italy and one in Switzerland. He specialises in street and pop art, offering original paintings, lithographs and screenprints by some of the most famous contemporary artists in the world, including Mr Brainwash, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring and, yes, Banksy. The gallery is also known for its strong online sales.

Banksy paints originals on paper or canvas and also in public space, his politically charged images dotting walls from Bristol to Calais to New Orleans and Bethlehem. He also often reproduces his street art on paper or canvas and then produces numerous prints of them.

Deodato Art will be showing originals on paper and canvas of some of the anonymous artist’s most famous works, including the triptych of ‘Rage, Flower Thrower’; ‘Love Rat’ and ‘No Ball Games’

 

iHIVE - International HIVE

 

Dogs Trust Freedom Project: A Fostering Service For People Fleeing Domestic Abuse

 

 Dogs Trust Freedom Project

For more information please click HERE

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - New Funding Programme Opening April 2021

AFCFT are pleased to announce new funding programmes for the 2021/22 financial year.

These programmes are designed to support veterans, Armed Forces families and serving personnel, to recover from some of the wider impacts of the COVID pandemic.​

For more information please click HERE

 

Suicide Prevention Advice

 

 

For more information please click HERE

Things to Do - Le Pass - now known as SPARKOH

Le Pass is an original place that invites you to understand science and technology while having fun.

Located on a former coal mine, this place is great for kids covering many subjects in a really engaging way. Nearly all the exhibits are in English and give children a real hands on approach to science and how things work. 

We have had season passes for this place for the last two years and have enjoyed our visits! It's a great place when your stuck for something to do and the weather isn't so good. 

There is a big, good playground next to the cafe.

Some areas and attractions are currently closed due to Covid restrictions. 

 

Website; https://sparkoh.be/en/

Plan your visit; https://sparkoh.be/en/plan-your-visit/

Telephone +32 (0) 65 61 21 60

 

Opening Hours; These can be a little variable, check before visiting; https://sparkoh.be/en/horaires/

Distance from SHAPE; 13 minutes by car

 

Map; https://www.google.com/maps?client=firefox-b-d...

 

Parking; Free and lots of it!

 

Cost; Children under 4 are free. Child -12 euro. Adult -17 euro.

Season pass; Child -35 euro. Adult -45 euro

 

Dogs; No 

 

Toilets; Yes

 

Cafe; There is a huge cafe area that does drinks, snacks and meals. At the moment however this is closed as are the vending machines. You are able to take your own food.

 

Buggy friendly; Yes

 

Top tips

Use the lockers at the start to save lugging your coats all the way round.

Take some water and snacks as nothing is available at the moment.

When fully open, don't forget to get bands to do the high ropes course for children over 6 years old. Ask about it when you arrive. 

 

Activities to boost your family's wellbeing

Keeping children physically and mentally well during the pandemic and this age of technology can be a challenge. 

To help families boost their wellbeing, 'We Be Kids' have put together weekly new and exciting activities to develop connections with yourself, each other and the environment.  

Activities focus away from screens and on nature, storytelling, art and yoga.

For more information please click HERE

 

UK Safe Spaces Codeword Scheme - Ask For Ani

 

For more information please click HERE

Things to do - Chateau de Beloil

 

 

Chateau de Beloeil is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in Belgium. It was founded in the 13th century as a medieval fortress, then was progressively transformed into a residential palace in the 17th and 18th century. 

Since 1394, the castle has belonged to the Princes of Ligne, one of Belgium's highest ranking noble families. 

 

The gardens are over 25 ha large and offer a harmonious alternation of water and green, with ponds and high hedges in extensive landscaped grounds.

 

Opening times; During the winter period, the park is open on weekends from 1 pm to 5 pm with free access. The castle is currently closed.

 

Website; http://www.chateaudebeloeil.be/

 

Distance from SHAPE; 26 minutes by car

 

Map; https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4...

 

Address; Rue du Château 11,7970, Beloeil

 

Dogs; No

 

Buggy friendly; In parts

 

Top tip - where good shoes, it can get muddy in parts of the year!

 

For other things to do this half term; http://shapehive.blogspot.com/search/label/What%27s%20

5 Sites To Support Your Mental Health

 For more information about the sites above click on the link below; 

Cruse

National DA Helpline

Mind

Rethink

One Plus One

Things to do; Tournai and Notre Dame Cathedral

Tournai and Notre Dame Cathedral

 

Tournai is known for the huge, impressive Cathedral of Notre-Dame. It is a UNESCO site and the Cathedral is bigger than Paris's Notre Dame! There are helpful English speaking guides who will happily tell you about its history. You don't need to book to visit the Cathedral. It is free.

 

We visited Tournai on a Sunday and combined it with some pre booked visits to museums. We visited the Tournai Musée d'Histoire militaire and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tournai

To book Beaux Arts; https://mba.tournai.be/reservation/ 

 

To book Musée d'Histoire; https://mhm.tournai.be/reservation/ 

 

To book Tournai museums click here; https://www.tournai.be/decouvrir-tournai/musees.html 

 

From here, click on the museum you want to visit.

• At the top of the new page is a link to their website - click on this.
• Go to their direct website and click on the reservation tab at the top to book tickets
• To book museums in Mons this is a useful site; https://www.visitmons.co.uk/museums

  There are also lots of other museums available all across Belgium. To see those participating; https://walloniebelgiquetourisme.be/.../Musees_gratuits...

   

  Distance from SHAPE to Tournai; 40 minutes drive

   

  Parking; There are lots of parking on street. Depending on where you park and the day/ time you may have to pay. This is not very much though. 

   

  Buggy friendly; Yes

   

  Toilets; Are available in Museums

   

  Cafes; Open only for take way.

   

  Dogs; On a lead. Not permitted into Buildings. 

   

  

  
  
  

Goverment Response To The McCleod Consultation - McCleod Remedy

 

The Government has today announced its response to the McCloud consultation have set out the way Public Sector Pension Schemes will remedy the age discrimination which was determined when the 2015 Schemes were introduced.

This leaflet produced by HM Treasury provides an excellent summary of the Government’s response, the remedy itself and the actions each scheme (including the Armed Forces Pension Scheme) will need to deliver.

We will provide a further update on our implementation of the McCloud remedy in due course.

You do not need to take any immediate action if you think you are affected, we will be in touch with you directly to explain how we will respond and deal with your individual circumstances.

For more information

Deaf People can suffer Domestic Abuse - You don't have to put up with it

 

Service Complaints Ombudsman For The Armed Forces

The Ombudsman provides independent and impartial oversight of the Service complaints system for members of the UK Armed Forces.

Please click www.scoaf.org.uk to access the website and find out what they can do for you.

 

NHS: Every Mind Matters - Building Connections

Building connections

Students explore the meaning of loneliness and connection

Help students to understand that everybody feels lonely at times, but there are actions they can take to help build connections.

Using peer-to-peer discussion, videos and activities, students will explore the meaning of loneliness and connection.

Lesson plan includes:

•  PowerPoint for use in class

•  Starter activities – carry out a baseline assessment of students' prior knowledge, skills and understanding options to extend and support learners

• A film to support the activities
•  
• For more information;   Mental wellbeing | Overview | PHE School Zone

The Living Archive: Combat Stress

Veterans’ individual testimonies from the Combat Stress 100 project have become part of our new Living Archive, available to the public to help increase understanding about the impact of living with military trauma.

To access these powerful first-person accounts you must be over 18 and register your email address on their website HERE