Brussels (SHAPE) HIVE

WELCOMBEEK HIVE
Mechelsesteenweg 204
Sterrebeek
1933

brussels@hive-europe.co.uk

opening hours are:
10:00 -15:00   Mon - Thurs

SHAPE HIVE

UKSU
BFPO 26

Tel (Military): 92 05423 3984
(Civil): 0032 6544 3984

Email

shape@hive-europe.co.uk

Our opening hours are:
Mon – Fri  9.00 – 15.00

Welcome to Brussels HIVE

The Brussels HIVE is manned one day per month, opening times and dates to follow. If you require help or information please feel free to contact us by email at brussels@hive-europe.co.uk, or by telephone at UKJSU on:       

(Military): 92 05423 3984 
(Civil): 0032 6544 3984

The following local information has been provided by the Welcombeek community centre staff who can be contacted  
Monday – Thursday   10am – 3pm

Tel: (0032) (0)2 688 2009

Fax (0032) (0)2 688 2009

Email: WELCOMBEEK@skynet.be

We run a monthly advert in the British Community News, plus we send out a monthly news letter and a mid month update which contain information about coffee mornings and other items that we think may be of interest to everyone. If you would like to receive our newsletter and update please email us at WELCOMBEEK@skynet.be and ask to be added to the distribution list.

We hold brochures detailing places to see within Brussels, these can be e-mailed to you if you would like to have a copy, we also have a notice board with various items for sale and information on it.

Welcombeek also houses a small HIVE office; there are brochures, leaflets, and magazines available from there. The HIVE staff come to Brussels once a month, please speak directly to the community centre staff regarding the HIVE personnel visiting.

Coffee Morning Schedule 2009

September

Thursday 10th

Thursday 24th

October

Thursday 1st - Help For Heroes Fundraiser

Thursday 22nd

November

Thursday 5th

Thursday 19th

December

Thursday 3rd - Christmas Coffee Morning

Thursday 17th - Last Coffee Morning Of 2009

Public Transport

Brussels has a comprehensive network of trams, trains, buses and metro. You can buy tickets for a one-way trip or for multiple journeys on one ticket, the prices decrease according to the length of time for which the tickets are valid.

SCHOOL INFORMATION
All the schools have a website and the information that you need to choose the right school for your child will be on there. From the age of three Belgian pre schools are free there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enrol your children in to the Belgian system if you wish.

British School of Brussels

Age range 3-18 years

0032 (0) 2 766 0430

Website: www.britishschool.be

British Primary School

Age range 2 – 11 years

0032 (0) 2 767 3098

Website: www.britishprimary.com

The British International School of Brussels

0032 (0) 2 736 8981

Website: www.bisb.org

The British English Primary School

0032 (0) 2 648 4311   

Website: www.brussels@beps.com

British Junior Academy of Brussels

0032 (0) 2 732 5376   

Website: www.bjab.org

BELGIAN FESTIVALS

January

Fete des Rois (twelve Night)

You will find ‘galettes des rois’ in all the bakeries.   These are delicious puff pastry with almond paste and a small ‘feve’ (bean) somewhere inside.   Whoever receives the slice containing the bean can wear the golden crown sold with the cake and is king/queen for the night and may choose his queen/her king.

Feb/Mar/Apr

Carnival months covering Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter.

Different towns and villages throughout Belgium have festivals.  

Schools generally have their half-term around carnival week in Brussels.

May

May Day is a public holiday you will see lots of flower stands and florists selling lilies of the valley (muguets), a traditional offering.   Ascension Day is a holiday with many processions, particularly the Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges.    Pentecost and Trinity Sunday are also celebrated with religious processions.

July

Throughout the summer in many towns there are mini festivals featuring up and coming European bands and singers.  Fairs are also held on a regular basis throughout the summer.  There is a special festival called ‘Ommegang’ held in the Grand’Place during the first week in July dating back to the 16th Century.   It is very spectacular and not to be missed.

August

Every other year (ending in even number) there is a Carpet of Flowers laid in the Grand Place.

September

The feast of St Hubert (patron Saint of animals) is held on the first weekend.   You may find your child’s riding stables taking all the ponies to Church for a special blessing.   There is a floral procession in Gent (even numbered years)

November

All Saints’ Day (Nov 1st) is a public holiday.

December

Saint Nicolas visits the children on December 6th.   They put their shoes in front of the fire and if they have been good they are rewarded with present, he is accompanied by ‘Pere Fouetard/Zwarte Piet’! During December there are many Christmas markets throughout Belgium, Brussels has a very good Christmas market and skating rink.  At new year there is generally a fireworks display in the centre of Brussels. 

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