Paderborn and Bolton celebrate twinning with new exhibition for the Libori

Paderborn and Bolton,  celebrate the 50th anniversary of their town twinning.

To mark the occasion, the two cities, together with the Raum für Kunst (Space for Art) and the German-English Club Paderborn, have conceived an exhibition that will be on display in the city library.

In March of this year, the German-English Club launched an ideas competition under the motto "Look at – Spot on." Ten selected entries from Paderborn and Bolton will now be presented. They will be presented in pairs to reflect the twinning connection expressed in the English term "twin town." 

The artworks were created by students from both cities, while the photographs were taken by German and English students.

The exhibition "Mind the Gap," which was shown in the Raum für Kunst (Space for Art), was created on the occasion of an artistic exchange between Paderborn and Bolton. 

"Mind the Gap"—originally a warning sign from the London Underground system—becomes a symbol of the gaps and disruptions of our time. 

The presentation in the city library features a selection of works by Paderborn artists that were part of the exhibition in the Raum für Kunst (Space for Art). 

The focus is on questions of social, cultural, and personal spaces in between.

Libori 2025

All the information for this years celebration can be found on the Libori website here.

Here are some dates for the calendar 

Sat 26th July 

• At 3 p.m., the relics of St. Liborius are solemnly raised in the cathedral, accompanied by the Libori fanfare. A vespers service follows.
• 2 p.m the funfair opens on the Liboriberg 
• 4.30pm Mayor Michael Drier will tap the giant beer barrel at the Rathausplatz which is the traditional start of the non religious celebrations. 

Throughout Libori week you will find entertainment in the city including: 

At the main stage on the Rathausplatz live acts every evening.  The Lenz stage a few minutes away on Westernstraße has a smaller stage for bands.

© Matthias Groppe

The forecourt of the city library will be transformed into the "Square of Small Arts." Visitors to this square can look forward to nine special days with a mix of acrobatics, comedy, theatre, puppetry, and musical diversity. 

Food and drink is well covered with many street food stalls and beer gardens set up to enjoy.

Europaplatz again will be the focus of the food stalls.

Transport 

A Park & Ride shuttle service is available on both Libori weekends, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. 

The large parking lot at Heinz-Nixdorf-Ring (Riemekestraße 154) Parking at the HNF ring is free. Bus tickets are 2 Euro for Adults and 1 Euro for children aged 6-14 years. 

Padersprinter are offering some low cost tickets on bus services. for the festival:

• 2.00 €/adult in advance*
• 2.50 €/adult on the bus
• 1.00 €/child (6 – 14 years) in advance and on the bus
• *Discount applies when purchasing an online ticket (timetable app), at the smilecard terminal, at the ticket machine and at the mobile sales points
• Valid for 90 minutes in the city of Paderborn
• Not valid for journeys outside the city area

Details of bus services can be found on the Padersprinter website here.

What's On at the Mohnesee

The summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia have begun, and with them, there's a lot going on at the Westphalian Sea.  It goes without saying that there's a lot going on in, on, and on the water at Lake Möhne this summer...

Starting on the water. If you don't just want to chill by the lake and occasionally plunge into the waves, you can rent all kinds of boats, go diving, or fishing. The options are there! 

Further information

Wraparound Childcare funding updates for autumn term 2025

What is Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?

The WAC scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of disability allowances), who are in full-time education in school or being home educated. WAC funding is available to eligible working Service families in the UK, assigned overseas within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S), assigned overseas and using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision or assigned overseas unaccompanied with family remaining in an eligible location.

Since September 2022 WAC has provided funding for 12,500 Service children's before and after school childcare.

WAC funding does not provide childcare spaces, it is funding for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

Wraparound childcare is also known as ‘Out of School care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland.

What's On This Weekend?

Lots of fun to enjoy this weekend. With the start of the holidays kids can access swimming pools in Paderborn / Sennelager free of charge. Rietberg has a water park set up for the kids. Brackwede has a DJ pool party set up. 

Dusseldorf is hosting Germany's biggest funfair with spectacular drone and fireworks show. 

Munster is hosting the Summersend fair.

The Kaltenberg medieval fair puts on a full arena show with jousting and sword combat plus an immersive themed market. 

Rietberg Gartenschau Water fun - Open Now 

The Garden Park is hosting six weeks of water based fun for kids this summer. From 1000 - 1800 each day you pay to enter the park (6 Euro for adults and 3 Euro for kids.) Then the water slides and boats are free to use. 

You will find the water park in the North section of the park (Make sure you head to the correct side of the park you can spend a long time walking between the two sides.)

It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins

It’s here: Global Mobility Allowance trial begins

From 1 July, eligible Service personnel are now invited to register for a new overseas allowance that offers an easier claims process and greater flexibility on spending.

Global Mobility Allowance (GMA) is being trialled as a new way to receive a financial contribution towards expenses that arise when you move to or from an overseas permanent assignment in:

• Brunei – 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles (2RGR) and Brunei Garrison Staff (incl. 667 Sqn, 5AAC) only
• USA – British Defence Staff US (BDSUS) administered locations only
• Kenya – British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Garrison Staff only
• Europe/ Rest of World (RoW) – Global Support Organisation (GSO) administered locations only

Assigned overseas? Have your say on Service family life

If you and your partner are assigned overseas, Defence wants to hear from you on what Service family life is like. Share anonymous feedback in the Overseas Families Survey.

Tell Defence what information and support has helped you and your family while serving overseas, and what could be better. Here are some areas you’ll be asked about in the survey: spousal / partner

• employment
• education and childcare
• communications
• safeguarding

Your feedback will help to inform Defence’s policies and initiatives to better meet the needs of you and your family.

How to complete the survey

You can complete the survey online. You and your partner can share your views individually using same survey link. The survey is open to all Regular and Reserve Service personnel and their spouses / civil partners. Please be assured that survey responses are anonymous.

You have until Saturday 30th August to make your voice heard.

Help us to help you

The more people that complete the survey, the better able Defence is to make informed choices on how to improve various aspects of Service life for you and your family.

The previous Overseas Families Survey contributed to the launch of Defence’s new Families Hub – this is a one-stop-shop digital platform, which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations, to help navigate Service family life. Topics include childcare, partner employment, housing, welfare and much more. – this is a one-stop-shop digital platform, which signposts to a wealth of information, support and organisations, to help navigate Service family life. Topics include childcare, partner employment, housing, welfare and much more.

If you have questions about the survey, please contact the MOD Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding team: people-AFFS-data-research@mod.gov.uk.

To view previous survey results, visit GOV.UK.
Useful information and resources

To find out about the range of allowances, opportunities, and benefits for you and your family, visit the Discover My Benefits site.

For useful signposting to information, guidance and support to help navigate Service family life, visit the Families Hub.

To explore Defence’s plan to drive forward positive initiatives for Service families, read the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-2032.

For information and support on a wider variety of topics affecting your Service and personal life, including relocation and local area information, contact the relevant HIVE:Royal Navy Family and People Support
Army HIVE
Royal Air Force HIVE

DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 28

Click to enlarge.

The latest issue of the Families First newsletter is now available on the Defence Homes website and Defence Connect.

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 27 June 25

An update on communal areas

We have heard from many of you at our SFA roadshows and we know families wish to be able enjoy communal spaces and gardens to the front of their properties. In many cases, these areas provide a valuable space for garden furniture and play equipment.

We have a duty to ensure that communal areas are safe, but we also want to see a common-sense approach that balances safety and convenience for families.

The SFA Consumer Charter announced in April sets out our commitment to empower families and to enable you to take decisions about your home.

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE): Latest Vacancies in Scotland - available exclusively to Service Leavers, Veterans and Military Spouses/Partners

GFIE – 438 - DWP Fraud Officer, Leith & Glasgow
10 positions available

Closing Date extended to : 07 July 2025

Job Description

​GFiE roles are available specifically to people who served in the Armed Forces, or be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame or a Military Spouse/Partner (your current partner must still be serving or was discharged within the last 12 months).

To apply, please submit a completed EOI Form (also see Guidance notes) and an up to date CV to GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

For more information on the GFiE scheme please go to: A complete guide to GFiE – Veterans, Military Partners/Spouses and Service Leavers – Life Chances – Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) (blog.gov.uk)

New digital tool: Overseas allowance planning now easier

Check out the Overseas Allowances Reckoner (OAR), to get a fast, personalised estimate of what you’ll receive – if you’re in the Armed Forces and preparing for a posting abroad.

Click on the link below to find out more -

New digital tool - Overseas allowance planning now easier

Invitation to attend Financial Literacy Focus Groups

Financial literacy is a key life skill and is critical to the development of our personal and collective resilience.  

The Financial Times charity FLIC is has funding to expand financial literacy into the Armed Forces and they are running 2 online focus groups in June and one face to face focus group in July (details below). 

 20-30 Service personnel and family members across a mix of ranks, ethnicity and gender are being sought for each focus group, to help FLIC understand the financial challenges that the Armed Forces face, and the information that would be useful.  

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update

Revised move-in and move-out specification

We are pleased to update Service Personnel and families that the specification to which homes are prepared for move-in has now been revised. This follows changes to the specification that we had to make last year.   

One of the commitments of the Consumer Charter to improve SFA announced in April 2025, is to provide a more robust move-in standard so that families can have confidence that the home they are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional. These commitments support the new Defence Housing Strategy, that will be published later this year.   

The revised move-in and move-out specification, effective immediately, returns to the previous standard with additional specifications including:  

1. Hard flooring being used in downstairs areas instead of carpet when replacement is required.  
2. The use of white paint to decorate inside homes.  

Vinyl flooring being used in all bathrooms, WC, kitchens and utility rooms if floor tiles, or hard flooring are not already installed when replacement is required.    

What's on this weekend?

Heidefest  Paderborn / Stadtheide 20th - 22nd Jun 

Hopefully a weekend of calm, warm weather is on the way. So why not enjoy a free festival in Stadtheide on  Friday & Saturday and then a family focused Kinderfest on the Sunday.

Located in Stadtheide Festplatz there is no charge to join in and watch the bands or for the kids entertainment on Sunday. Location has no address but is listed as the Festplatz on Schwabenweg. Schwabenweg is about a 10 min drive or 25 mins on bus service Nbr 5.

Outdoor concerts in the Spa park at Bad Driburg 

The Counts Park in Bad Driburg offers Gardens to enjoy and free music concerts at the bandstand each day. You will hear classical to modern pop instrumental music. Entry to the park is 7 euro pp but the concerts are free to enjoy.

Besim Mazhiqi, Gräflicher Park Health & Balance Resort

Home to a Spa hotel and public gardens, the park is a 35 mins drive from Sennelager. 

Friedas Tea Party - Rietberg Gartenschau 19th -21st

A two day dance party with world class DJ's not far from Sennelager. Tickets are available for Friday night from 15 Euro pp (Age restriction is over 16 yrs.) Parking fee 8 Euro per car.   Drive time to the park is 29 mins. 

Dortmund Beer & Culturefest 19th - 21st Jun

100 Breweries present 300 Beers on Friedensplatz. A relaxed event where you can meet the people behind the beer. 

You can also purchase a Hop travel pass for the event. This will give you vouchers for sampling the beer and some themed gifts from the event. 

Forces Pension Society Online Armed Forces Pension Update

 25 JUNE 12:30-13:30 - SAVE THE DATE!

The FPS will deliver an online Armed Forces Pensions update for Serving Personnel, Veterans and Dependants at 12:30 on Wednesday 25 June via MS Teams.

It will cover:

• The latest on the 2015 Remedy (McCloud) implementation
• A reminder of how pension benefits are/were earned during service and the ages that deferred pensions are paid
• When and how the pension benefits increase
• How to obtain a pension forecasts whilst serving or as a Veteran
• Dependants Benefits
• When and how to claim a deferred pension
• The benefits of membership of the Forces Pension Society

 For more information, use this link.

Defence Vegan & Vegetarian Network

 

Download a membership form here

                                                     

Read the latest issue here 

What's on this weekend

Hopefully the temperature should rise in the run up to this weekend.  Providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoor after last weekends storms. 

Bad Pyrmont Wine Festival 12th -15th Jun 

From Thursday to Sunday, visitors can try German wines in all its variety. Enjoy a lively atmosphere with music and delicious food in front of the bandstand in the spa gardens. Opens at 11am each day.

Bad Pyrmont is home to an amazing Palm garden and the "Water" Schloss. Admission to the park is free during the wine festival. Drive time 52 mins . 

Copyright Bad Pyrmont Tourisms 

Paderborn Sports Day - Schloss Neuhaus 15th Jun 1400 - 1800

This year, the castle park in Schloß Neuhaus will once again be transformed into the largest sports mile in the region. 

Numerous Paderborn sports clubs present themselves and their sports and invite you to join in and try them out.

The open-air sports studio at the Brunnentheater also promises lots of fun and action.

Last Week of Mausolinos Bouncy Castle festival in Reitberg 

The inflatables will be on daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the northern part of the park. They are suitable for children up to 14 years old. Adults must unfortunately watch.

While bouncy fun is included in the regular admission price to the Garden Show Park on weekdays, children who want to jump pay €2 to enter the bouncy castle park on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. 

They can have fun there as long as they want, and they can leave and return later. Drive time is 30 mins. Make sure to head into the Northern section of the park to find the event.

Münsterland Castles and Palaces Day 2025 15th Jun

A fantastic day of special events in the most historic locations in Münsterland. The majority of sites are offering free admission on the day.

There are over 40 castles, manor houses and palaces to visit. You can find full details on the website here.

Music, treasure to find and quizzes run alongside free tours in most locations. Schloss Ludinghausen will transform into an Italian Piazza for the day. 

There are so many locations to, some are close in Lippstadt others are on the Dutch border. You can view a map on the event website and flick through a full list of locations here 

Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 Results

The results from the armed forces continuous attitude survey (AFCAS) 2025 have been published and are available h

ere.

Help RBLI Lifeworks better understand the needs of the Army Forces Community – please complete their short online questionnaire

RBLI is exploring how to best deliver its Lifeworks Families courses to meet the unique needs of our Armed Forces Community: 

‘Your input is essential in helping us shape our employment skills training to be as effective and accessible as possible’

Lifeworks is the employment support division of Royal British Legion Industries, a national charity supporting the Armed Forces. Its courses equip families with the tools necessary to pursue their desired careers outside the Armed Forces. 

MOD staff benefit update: new fixed-rate savings account available from Serve + Protect Credit Union

 A new issue of the fixed-rate savings account from Seve and Protect Credit Union is available from 1st to 26th June 2025.

This is available to you as part of the financial wellbeing benefits we offer through our partnership with them.

✅ 4% AER fixed for 12 months

✅ No fees or charges

This is just for your awareness - not a recommendation. Please review the details and decide if it’s right for you.

Serve + Protect Credit Union’s latest podcast about managing debt successfully

There are lots of times when borrowing money can be useful. However, managing your debt can sometimes become overwhelming 😔

The latest podcast episode from Serve and Protect Credit Union is full of useful information on managing your debt effectively and the support available if you are struggling.

🔗 Watch here

Immediate Effect

 With immediate effect no out of bounds areas in Paderborn.

What's On this Weekend?

Fingers crossed on the weather for the weekend. The Whit Monday holiday gives most of us an extra days holiday to enjoy a long weekend. 

If the weather dose not play ball. here is a google map with lots of indoor attractions and places to visit. 

If the weather does hold off. Then you have the pick of some great local events to enjoy. Live music and dancing top the list. Meanwhile Gütersloh and Dortmund host spring fairs with rides and entertainment to match. 

Confluence Festival Paderborn

Stay in Paderborn this weekend for three days of live music on three stages across the city.  from the 6th to the 9th Jun. 

Indie pop, classical, Jazz, Reggae music will all feature. All performances are free to enjoy. 

The Confluence Festival starts on Friday, June 6th at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage in the Paderwiesen.

Various street food stalls at the three stage locations, will be on hand to provide food and drink each day. 

Full details here on the website

Open fires are prohibited in public areas

"The City of Paderborn expressly points out that open fires are prohibited in public areas, especially on municipal green spaces. Furthermore, there is currently an acute danger from barbecuing and making fires, especially due to the ongoing drought.

This means that open fires are generally only permitted in designated areas and on private property.

Unfortunately, the city of Paderborn has recently discovered that this law has been violated, for example, in the area of ​​the castle and meadow park and at Lake Lippe. Such violations are punishable by fines.
Furthermore, it's important to ensure proper waste disposal.

The city and the Schlosspark und Lippesee Gesellschaft regularly observe that barbecue or picnic leftovers are not properly disposed of. In this case, too, a fine can be expected."

https://www.paderborn.de/.../109010100000300336.php...

paderborn.de

Offenes Feuer im öffentlichen Bereich verboten

Stadt Paderborn warnt vor Gefahr durch Grillen und Feuermachen

What's on This Weekend?

Fathers Day / Vatertag 29th May 

The annual celebrations of hand carts filled with Beer is here. German Fathers day is a different celebration than the traditional UK card for Dad. 

On Vatertag it is popular for groups of men to parade through towns with a handcart loaded with beer and snacks. These hikes are often cheerful and loud, with a focus on community and celebration.

image copyright Stefan Arend

RBLI Lifeworks Families – new remote courses now available

Lifeworks Families Remote courses will run on the following dates:

• Monday 23rd - Thursday 26th June
• Monday 28th - Thursday 31st July

Lifeworks Families courses are available to those in the UK and overseas.

Lifeworks families courses are available to spouses, partners, school-leaving age (and above) children and extended/blended family members.

Lifeworks Families courses are available to serving and veteran family members.

To view the Lifeworks Families leaflet, please click here.

What's on this weekend?

Jumping! On the Mausolino's Bouncy Castle festival in Rietberg Gartenschau 

May 23 to June 15. The inflatables will be ready daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the northern part of the park. 

copyright gartenschaupark-rietberg.de

They are suitable for children up to 14 years old. Adults must unfortunately watch. Adult day ticket 6.00€ , children aged 4 and over: €2.00 (Plus 2 Euro park entry). Drive time 29mins.  Visit the website for more information.

Sennelager Schutzenfest Sat 24th - 26th May 

Lots of activities to join in with go to the the website for full details.

Japan Tag  Dusseldorf - Sat 24th 

Join the massive festival in Dusseldorf- Modem and traditional Japanese celebrations collide in this much loved festival. Wander the Rhine promenade and try all the food. 

Get pictures with the Cos play specialists. Try out traditional Japanese archery.  Live music events with bands from Japan flown in. Food stalls will keep you fed with tasty treats along the Rheinepromenade.

copyright visitduseldorf.de

A massive firework show will round off the day at 11 pm. Hotel rooms are available but are selling fast. Travel from Paderborn is approx 2hrs by train though check the last train back. or the drive time is 2 hrs.  check parking apps for spaces to avoid being caught out.

Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) bank holiday arrangements for 26 May 2025

The Department for Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus) office opening arrangements are different for the 26 May bank holiday. 

England, Scotland and Wales: 

On Monday 26 May offices and phone lines are closed. 

To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early. 

If the expected payment date is Monday 26 May then benefits will be paid early on Friday 23 May. If the expected payment date is not shown, customers will get their money on their usual payment date.  

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update from DIO, 16 May 25

Early adopters of new online platform HomeHub

DIO in collaboration with Pinnacle, Amey and VIVO, have invited a small group of Personnel and families as early adopters of HomeHub – a new online platform for households to easily manage repairs, appointments and their SFA in general.

Early adopters include representatives from all three services and a mix of ranks and locations – with the aim of gaining a broad representation of our SFA community and estate.

Those participating will be contacted in the coming days with instructions on how to take part. From this month until August, they will have access to an early version of HomeHub where they can feedback their honest thoughts and experiences through surveys.

For those families supporting the development of HomeHub as early adopters, your help in gathering feedback will be invaluable in helping us refine the portal into a seamless and user-friendly platform that really meets the needs of our families. A finalised version of HomeHub will be rolled out to all SFA this year.  

What's On This On

Exercise, fun fairs and museum trips are the highlights for the weekend and beyond. 

Events to enjoy include; Luna Park in Paderborn a bicycle fair  & auction in Schloss Neuhaus, a new play park with the summer programme of free exercise classes start in Paderborn. 

17th May - Luna Park- Paderborn. The Fun returns with the fair. all the usual food and drink to enjoy. Plus rides like the Beast and plenty for younger kids too. 23rd May will have a closing firework presentation. As Always the fair will be on Maspernplatz.

18th May - Holy Communion at St Bonniface Garrison church. Contact Padre Nick with any questions on +49 1722595317

18th May 11.00 Paderborn Cycle Day - Schloss Neuhaus

Learn about cycle rules in Germany and try out a whole range of different bikes. Plus you can bid on recovered and repaired bikes in the auction to snap up a bargain at 14.30. 

What's On This Weekend

Fairs and festivals are on the menu this weekend. It is your chance to enjoy some free  music and entertainment. This weekend you can try out as a member of the Paderborn Fire Dept 

Paderborn Fire Dept celebrates 150 Years

A family day has been set up to celebrate the event in the Schloss.  The whole family can look forward to a varied program including a blue light mile, a marching band concert, activities for children, food stalls, etc.

Start: 11.05.25 from 11 - 18 o'clock in Schloss Neuhaus. 

Paderborn SpringFest 

The annual free event returns to the city from the 9th -11th May.

Music and arts sprawl across three stages and downtown Paderborn.  World class artists put on a show in in the streets and you can dance the night away with rock and blues, singer song writers, marching bands and Techno DJ's .

The whole thing gets started at 19.30 on Friday night. With a mass Drum Band to bring the energy. The three stages at the Town Hall, Westener Str and the Market place will have acts on through the weekend including live bands and DJ sets. 

Between the stages artists like the giant balloon guy (World champion Baloon artist.) and the balance on your head couple Kate and Parsi at 15:30 & 1730 Sat & sun  will compete for your attention with the NOX 2.4m tall robot who will be in town at 11.30 1330 and 1530 moving between the stage areas. 

The Cheat lounge will be putting on street food and drinks Fri - Sun with service 17.30 - 2300 on Fri & Sat and 12.30 - 1700 on Sun when there will be Sunday shopping available during the day.