Service times for Advent season 2024

Here are the dates and times for this years services at St Bonniface and Loseke Community Centre

15th December – 10:30  Holy Communion Third Sunday of Advent St Boniface

22nd December – 10:30 Teddy bear Nativity Service Bring a teddy/soft toy dressed to play a part St Boniface

24th December – 16:00 Carol Service Carols for Christmas Community Centre

24th December – 23:30 Holy Communion Midnight Mass St Boniface

25th December – 10:30 Celebration of Christmas The joy of Christmas St Boniface

29th December – 10:30 Holy Communion First Sunday of Christmas St Boniface

4th January – 10:30 Holy Communion Second Sunday of Christmas St Boniface

Get as the crow flies fares in NRW on 2-4-1 offer

Trips to the Christmas market, gift shopping or Advent and Christmas visits can be easily done by bus and train. The electronic NRW tariff "eezy" is recommended this December as a particularly cheap offer with a take-away promotion. "eezy Westfalen" can also be booked at PaderSprinter.

Nationwide air fare

With the electronic NRW fare "eezy" you can travel nationwide on buses and trains without knowing the fares. The price is calculated automatically - not according to the actual route, but according to the air miles traveled between the start and destination stops. In order to attract even more passengers, "eezy Westfalen" is offering a ride-along promotion during the Advent and Christmas period this year, where two passengers can travel for the price of one person. "eezy Westfalen" can also be booked with the PaderSprinter via the timetable app.

Pay for one and get a ticket for two people

From December 6th to December 26th, 2024, every eezy user in NRW can take another person with them on 2nd class bus and train journeys free of charge. Only one person is checked in or out and the barcode is then considered a valid ticket for both. The accompanying person can get off earlier, but their free ride is only valid for the distance that the checked-in passenger also pays for, not beyond that. Children up to the age of 6 and dogs travel free of charge in NRW anyway.

A few steps to the digital ticket

To book "eezy", first download the PaderSprinter timetable app. This is available to all iOS and Android users free of charge in the relevant app stores, but is currently not smoothly supported by all versions of the operating systems. 

After downloading the app, the passenger must register once to buy the ticket and enter their desired payment method (PayPal, SEPA direct debit or credit card). 

The passenger then checks in immediately before boarding using the timetable app with "eezy Ticket check-in". Check-in must be completed before entering the vehicle so that a valid ticket is available for the journey. 

As soon as the ticket appears as a barcode on the mobile phone, it entitles the passenger to travel on local public transport. 

A QR code is then displayed on the smartphone on the way for ticket inspection. Since the digital tickets are personal and therefore not transferable, passengers should always carry a control medium (e.g. photo ID, driver's license) with them in the event of a ticket inspection. When getting off, the customer then checks out again independently in the timetable app using “eezy Ticket check-out”.

Further information on “eezy Westfalen” is available at the PaderSprinter customer center at Westernmauer 18 (Tel.: 05251-6997 222) or online at padersprinter.de. Passengers can also find further information on the PaderSprinter timetable app at https://www.padersprinter.de/app/.

Victory Services Club (VSC) Club Life Newsletter - November 2024

Newsletter attached as PDF, but rather than host in Google Drive (as this precludes MODnet readers), please post online link: Club Life Newsletter - November 2024

Pinnacle Virtual Outreach Day - Wed 11 Dec

You will be able to access colleagues from Pinnacle's Customer Solutions, Repairs, Home Services and Housing Officer teams who will be on hand to provide you with information on a host of topics. They will also help to answer and resolve any queries and questions you may have.

You can also learn more about Pinnacle's free career and small business support for military families, veterans and communities.

Be part of Pinnacle's Virtual Outreach Day and connect with their representatives via Microsoft Teams. Book your slot by Friday 6th December at Pinnacle Virtual Outreach Day.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: West Yorkshire

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have 80 new Executive Officer opportunities open in West Yorkshire within their Disability Services Team. 

The Disability Services advert will run from 04/12/24 to 18/12/24

Civil Service Jobs link: Disability Services - Case Manager - West Yorkshire (Ref: 724) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

​More information on DWP, the roles available and the application process can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.

Your Armed Forces Offer explained

The Defence Armed Forces Offer recognises the unique demands of Service life, and the vital work our people do to keep us safe at home and strong abroad.

​​Find out more about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support available to you: Discover My Benefits

Those with access to MODnet can also view the full article at: 

• Defnet: Your Armed Forces Offer explained (sharepoint.com)
• Defence Connect: Your Armed Forces Offer explained | Defence Connect (mod.uk)

News from Winterberg - Could be good snow this weekend

The desire for snow and winter sports is growing week by week. And this news comes at just the right time: the weather services are predicting snowfall over the weekend. This week, the range of activities is growing slowly. But if the weather forecasts are correct, there could be a larger range of winter sports available for the first time on the third weekend of Advent.





A wintry white mountain world: This is what it will look like again this weekend, as shown in this archive photo. It is now becoming increasingly wintry and the range of winter sports on offer is growing.




Ski and snowboard
There are currently three lifts running in the Winterberg ski lift carousel. If possible, the Büre-Herrloh lift will create the connection between Poppenberg and Rauher Busch from Saturday. If the snowfall on Saturday is heavy enough, one or two more lifts could be added. The open slopes then promise good to very good winter sports conditions.

lift operation




Tobogganing /Sledging
The toboggan lift in the Ruhrquelle ski area is expected to be operational again from Saturday if possible and will then be open daily. If there is enough snowfall, a toboggan lift could be added on Saturday or Sunday at the Kappe and on the Astenstraße in the Winterberg ski lift carousel, one in the Neuastenberg ski village and possibly one in Olpe-Fahlenscheid. 

If the snowfall arrives in sufficient volume , tobogganing in the countryside will also be possible without a lift.

Tobogganing



Winter hiking
The weekend promises real snow experiences, albeit with unsettled weather. After a stormy Friday, the wind is easing. However, there is still a "decent breeze" blowing in the mountains. To warm up, we recommend visiting a hat. In Willingen, the walk up the mountain is particularly pleasant. There is a cable car for pedestrians. On the mountain peaks, it should also be possible to take a sledge with you on paths that are not pushed.

Winter hiking



Prospects
If the snowfall currently predicted for this weekend does happen, the first major winter sports offer of the new season could be available. 

Dec 2024 Event calendar

• 14th or 21st Opening Party Ski Area Bödefeld Hunau
• 12th, 20th 21st FIL Junior World Cup, LugeVeltins Ice Arena Winterberg
• 12th & 30th: Torchlight hike from the valley station of the Ettelsberg cable car in Willingen
• 31st: New Year's Eve floodlit skiing in Neuastenberg ski village

Please donate blood and save a life this Christmas!

 Facts and figures

• 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lives yet only 3% of those eligible give blood.
• In 2023, 1.44 million blood donations were made by 785,000 amazing individuals.
• The NHS needs 140,000 new first-time donors this year.
• Sickle cell is the UK's fastest-growing genetic disorder, and many patients require regular blood transfusions. For the best treatment, patients benefit from blood transfusions from donors of the same ethnicity.
• To ensure the donor base reflects the diversity of patients, the NHS needs 12,000 new donors of Black heritage this year.
• O negative is the universal blood type, crucial in emergencies or when a patient's blood type is unknown. Although only 8% of the population has O negative blood, it accounts for 15% of hospital orders.
• There are 25 permanent blood donation centres across the country, with the most appointments for donors in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and London.

Give the best gift this winter: give blood. You can register and book an appointment at blood.co.uk, by calling 0300 123 23 23 or on the NHS Give Blood app.​

Schloss Neuhaus Winterzauber

The Schloss Neuhaus Christmas event is on this weekend.

From the 6th -8th December the castle, courtyard and gardens are transformed

This is a market which fully makes use of the castle and the garden to host stalls with boutique handmade Christmas themed craft gifts.

A smaller event right on our doorstep which is always a treat after dark and the lights come on. The event is open on the following times, entry is free.Opening hours:

• Fri December 6th: 3 pm - 9 pm
• Sat December 7th: 1 pm - 9 pm
• Sun December 8th: 11 am - 7 pm

Flying Santa - Where he can be seen this year

Watching Santa travel across the world on Christmas eve has become a tradition for many families. 

Whilst we wait for NORAD to confirm when and where Santa's sleigh will be visible on Christmas Eve.  Here are two options to catch sight of Santa right here in Germany and not too far away. 

Bochum and Herford both show full a full flying Santa experience at their Christmas markets. 

Suspended above the markets  Santa and the reindeer fly across the town squares, with music and lights to complete the show. 

Bochum

A 1hr 35 min drive from Sennelager you can see Santa on his flying sleigh daily at 17:00 & 19:00 on Dr.-Ruer-Platz. There are additional flights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

© Ingo Otto / WAZ FotoPool

Herford

A 37 min drive from Sennelager. Herford offers a twice daily Santa flying at 17.00 & 19.00.

New Digital Veteran Card helps confirm veteran status super fast

New Digital Veteran Card to make sure former service personnel can prove their Veteran status as easily as possible, enabling smoother access to often essential support.

DVC Link

This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide

This Money Helper (Money & Pensions Service) ​​guide is for you if you need access to credit but you can’t use a mainstream lender and you don’t want to use a payday loan or other forms of high-cost credit.

When you read it, you’ll know:

• how credit unions work and how they can help you
• how to join a credit union
• what other sources of fair and affordable credit might be available to you.​
• To view this guide please click HERE

More information can be found on the Money Helper website at https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit

For the Service community, there are three MOD-endorsed credit unions - see https://www.joiningforcescu.co.uk/​

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Overseas Offer - Available from January 2025

Eligible working parents (at least one of whom is a member of the Armed Forces) with children aged between 4-11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of certain disability benefits) in school (including home educated children) will be able to claim back the costs of regulated wraparound childcare for a maximum of 20 hours per week, per eligible child, during term time. 

More Christmas Markets for 2024

Here are more Christmas Markets to visit this year. The list below provides links to the event websites. The direction links open Google Maps. 

We have listed the markets below ordering them by drive time from Sennelager with the closest first. 

We are spoilt for choice with cities like, Munster, Osnabruck and Hamlin nearby. Picture perfect old towns like Soest and the medieval centre of Tecklenburg. 

You can look further east to check out the Harz mountains towns of Goslar and Quedlingburg. 

Though the list and directions are based on driving. You can catch the train also to most of these markets, use this link to check journey times, routes and ticket prices.

There are thousands of markets to see in Germany. This list covers some of the mid size cities and towns you can find. 

Website and Google map link for the markets are below.

Markets less than 1 hours drive from Sennelager. 

Paderborn  https://maps.app.goo.gl/p8ahvLD6w6j9WvVy6

Bad Lippspringe  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rj3oY6NH8cc9S6Sc6

Delbruck  https://maps.app.goo.gl/CkiGdYeZcFnS6Wia9

Oerlinghausen  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hty9wT1vCbJusHCu9

Augustdorf  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hkbbt9wTZPzRqQrGA

Bielefeld  https://maps.app.goo.gl/oGF3ckazqYk16h279

Guttersloh  https://maps.app.goo.gl/G2PL9gPgPCVo44nV6

Bad Driburg  https://maps.app.goo.gl/k4L7GoEJpgEksBxC9

Blomberg https://maps.app.goo.gl/5FLZq8mt1WHjoUXK9

Herford  https://maps.app.goo.gl/MBHrJQhszrp26rCc7

Bad Salzuflen  https://maps.app.goo.gl/GRZHeGrAMFKfMYvF7

Detmold  https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Xo3YkTDG7iFT5Cg7

Lippstadt  https://maps.app.goo.gl/av9AiqbeaP2TyjMs6

Bad Saasendorf  https://maps.app.goo.gl/EvdJWHV4TWbMbnZK6

Bad Oenyhausen  https://maps.app.goo.gl/WmnAEdgwjcxBhYUs7

Soest  https://maps.app.goo.gl/vq5QKSSs2CAgErUMA

Lemgo  https://maps.app.goo.gl/W1dJ2kwZMkGYXNzZ9

Bad Pyrmont  https://maps.app.goo.gl/5TjWNcVJRXUvbfss5

Osnabruck  https://maps.app.goo.gl/KbP88rhkA5bmCK27A

Minden  https://maps.app.goo.gl/rP3Nn35PsfQ8fbNd7



Markets  within 1-2 hours drive 

Tecklenburg  https://maps.app.goo.gl/rGvuu8WwJ3WAxHqw5

Hamlin  https://maps.app.goo.gl/1VG3eFjognzBoKgK7

Fritzlar  https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVN4xpc9JmNmbD7RA

Munster https://maps.app.goo.gl/Su6jsHt7jGcYJPQ98


Christmas markets within 2-3 hours drive of Sennelager

Braunschweig  https://maps.app.goo.gl/zp9QR2KLrN3opJ7x5

Goslar  https://maps.app.goo.gl/4GAeKiDZXFkZbb3w8

Moyland  https://maps.app.goo.gl/DJpxT8Hqri4qpWAe9

Schloss Merode  https://maps.app.goo.gl/sYspmXRSQZeX8Tvy9

Weringerode  https://maps.app.goo.gl/KYiUTqdbMRC1dP346

Aachen  https://maps.app.goo.gl/iz9QV4dG3PupJ85B7

Quedlingburg  https://maps.app.goo.gl/vMTVeoD3vuXJs7ELA

Erfurt  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gw9SfZuS7peLbzs28

Koblenz  https://maps.app.goo.gl/mBCK9asTjZP5fmcx6

Monchau  https://maps.app.goo.gl/QbBmSeLBnyj5Myha6

Wurzburg  https://maps.app.goo.gl/RoSPCPbd3R279L4z7

Rudesheimer  https://maps.app.goo.gl/kK8U3gWbkG66Nsnx6

Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber  https://maps.app.goo.gl/c4Mp37gn595da7WW7

Freiburg  https://maps.app.goo.gl/mT96RHjCeA95L6QV9

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) bulk recruitment: Various locations

The Department of Work and Pensions has 25 new Executive Officer work coach opportunities in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and 40 in Surrey and Sussex. These are now open for applications until 13^th Dec 2024.

​Civil Service Jobs links:

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach – Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight (Ref: 721) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Universal Credit Job Centre - Work Coach – Surrey and Sussex (Ref: 722) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

​More information can be found on the DWP EO Microsite.

Families First newsletter - issue 21

 

This issue and previous ones online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK​

NHS 'Help Us, Help You' - Pharmacy First

Community pharmacies can offer treatment and when appropriate some prescription medicine, for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess, treat, and when appropriate, provide some prescription medicine for earache (for those aged between 1 and 17), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 - without the need for a GP appointment.

Available at the heart of local communities, community pharmacy teams have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need, with no appointment necessary and private consultations available. Community pharmacists will signpost patients to other local services where necessary.
By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to help free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.

Don't wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.
For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

Service Prosecuting Authority welcomes HMCPSI inspection report

“We hope this report will reassure the public, members of the Armed Forces, and the Defence community that the SPA is performing well and making a meaningful contribution to Service Justice” 

Director of Service Prosecutions, Jonathan Rees KC reflects on the publication of an inspection report on the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA).

​To view more about the Service Prosecuting Authority, and additional information on this report, please go to: Service Prosecuting Authority - GOV.UK

The report can be read in full at this link: The Service Prosecuting Authority – HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

Domestic Abuse - Help is at hand