Duke of York’s Royal Military School: The Princess Royal Visits Kent School as Royal Patron

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the school, in her role as Royal Patron. This visit provided an opportunity for Her Royal Highness to meet students and staff, and experience life at the school first-hand.

The visit marked an important moment in the school’s continued commitment to supporting young people, including children from Armed Forces families.  During her visit, The Princess Royal met with members of the school community and attended the annual Beret Parade, where she formally presented ceremonial berets to the school’s new Year 7 students.

Ay Nik Paintball Volunteers Wanted!

The Ay Nik Paintball season has started and more volunteers (SP or UKFM's) are required to help run events.

What's required?

1. The ability to be added to the Signal chat group.

2. Attend a 20 min Marshall Training package.

3. Complete PREVENT

4. Complete Safeguarding Level 1 Training

5. Complete a Basic DBS check - claim cost back via the Paintball Fund.

If you can do the above, contact Jan Tocknell, Ben Robus or Dan Halor for more details.

ESBA Ay Nik - Learn To Fence!

 

Learn to fence!

Rhys is running three taster sessions starting on Tuesday 27th October (also 3rd and 10th November) in the Ay Nik Sports Hall 15:30 - 17:00.

If you are interested please get in touch via email or phone: 

📧 rhys.melia102@mod.gov.uk  

🖁 +357 97 566 951

All equipment will be provided, you just need to wear sports kit and bring some water with you. Decent trainers are recommended though. 

Any questions feel free to message Rhys directly.

Access to Mercury Barracks will be required to take part in the sessions.

Please note: 

Unfortunately this is currently only open to serving personnel due to insurance reasons. 

Rhys is working on a solution to be able to offer fencing to the wider community. 

Watch this space!

Ay Nik Paintball is now taking bookings!

The Ay Nik Paintball Course is now open for the season!

Paintballing is great for team building, birthday parties or just general fun with your friends.

For more details or to book your place, contact the team via WhatsApp - 07437 338272

Cost:

Kit - 10 euro (paintball marker, mask and overalls)

Paintballs - 3 euro for 100 balls, 12 euro for 500 balls

New for 2026!

Paintballing at Ay Nik is now open to children age 13 and above (subject to DBS qualified staff available to run the event).

ESBA Home-Start and BFC Youth Services: The Saturday Club - Saturday 24th October

ESBA Home-Start and BFC Youth Services are hosting The Saturday Club this Saturday (24th October) at Ay Nik.

This is a popular monthly family event to make friends or spend time as a family.

It costs 2 euro a child which includes a drink and a snack plus a breakfast bap for the adults. 

No booking is required, just turn up and have fun!

Please contact the HIVE or ESBA Home-Start for the time or check out the Facebook pages / TeamUp.

Department for Work and Pensions: Latest news update

 

Don’t pay to claim

Claims Management Companies (CMCs) are contacting pensioners, offering to handle claims for benefits like Attendance Allowance or missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), for a fee.

This isn't illegal, but the fees can be several hundred pounds. Some people don't realise they've entered into an agreement until it's too late.

The message we want to get across is straightforward: if you're eligible for these benefits, it's free to claim them. Independent and trusted help* is available for free from organisations including Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

You can visit the campaign site to find out more about how we are protecting our customers from financial harm and also watch our how to apply for Attendance Allowance video.

*For Armed Forces veterans, FREE support with Attendance Allowance claims (and other potential benefits) is also available through MOD Veterans Services. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-from-veterans-services, which includes contact details, and an online self-referral form.

National Careers Service update

On 1 October 2026, the National Careers Service in England was brought in house to DWP, supporting the creation of a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.

Customers will continue to receive free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance from qualified Careers Advisers through telephone, digital, face-to-face and community channels, with existing appointments and support continuing uninterrupted.

Those wishing to contact the service in England can call 0800 072 0288.

The National Careers Service website has been renamed Get careers information and advice, although the URL and existing links will remain unchanged.

Applicable to England only. Careers services are devolved in Scotland (Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work ) and Wales (Careers Wales).

Highground: Spouses and partners Rural Weeks residential programme for 2027 - Devon

For further information click the link: Rural Weeks Programme

Costco: Membership benefits offer for serving Armed Forces and MOD staff

For more information on Costco membership, please go to: Why become a Costco Member

Serving personnel and MOD civilian staff are eligible for this membership offer. Costco membership starts from £42 for two people for one full year depending on the membership which best suits the Armed Forces/MOD employee. Once employees join, they are able to shop Costco worldwide straight away for the year.

Costco have warehouses across the UK, plus also in many locations overseas. The UK store finder can be found at: costco.co.uk/store-finder

 

Seasonal Flu Advice and Vaccinations – Defence and Department of Health Security Agency guidance for seasonal flu season 2026/27

 

Information and advice has now been issued regarding preventing influenza for the 2026/27 seasonal period, including eligibility criteria for vaccinations.

Please go to Flu vaccines: 2026 to 2027 flu season - GOV.UK for general guidance on vaccinations. An online version of the infographic attached can be found at Flu vaccines 2026 to 2027 season A3 landscape poster

For Serving personnel, a DIN has been published on this topic – please search on Defnet for 2026DIN06-016-Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Season 2026-2027. All Serving personnel are encouraged to review this DIN, and to arrange a vaccination at their earliest convenience (if eligible).

For further guidance please contact the medical centre that you are registered with, or ask your nearest HIVE for more information.

Ay Nik Library Halloween Competition - 20th - 30th October 2026

Borrow 6 books between 20th - 30th October to receive an instant prize!

Check TeamUp or contact the HIVE for Library opening times.