Thread: Fallingbostel - Information, re housing, shopping etc

Is anyone here from Fally? Sarah is and she's new to the whole Army thing so could do with your help! In typical Sod's Law fashion she's only 4 weeks into her first posting and her hubby's away on a course, so if anyone's able to offer a hand of friendship to help ease her into life in Fally and Army life in general, that would be great!

Sorry I'm not in Fally, but I could find out whats available in the local area. Please give Sarah my contact details and I'll see what I can find in the local area.

Sluice x

There is a whole section on 'Germany' in 'Patches and Pads' that would be a good start - click here.

The MoD has a page here.

There is also an English language version of the local Fallingbostel website here.

or give the Homestart people (Gudrun Davey) a call on 0541-9602361 or HIVE (Jan Rowlands) on 02161 472 3218. Both are very helpful and whilst not located in the area they do have many friends and contacts who are local to you and will help. These numbers come out of the G1 Community Services Directory and while I suspect your friend really wants to meet people rather than access a particular service, its a start. There is also the AFF number in Herford which is 05221 995 3755. All three organisations have local reps but I don't have their numbers - sorry. Good luck.

Hi,

I live in fally and its not so bad, the ice cream parlour is yummy . Hopefully sarah can drive so she won't feel too stuck, although the naafi buses are reliable. Its a pleasant place to live and there are quite a few places in the surrounding area to visit. As with most postings its what you make it, the mq's have all either been op puma'd or are being done at the mo and they are very nice. Any other questions I will try to answer or I will know someone that can probably.

Hi Sooty

I'm moving to Fally in 2 weeks, cant wait Ive got a job with the naafi and I've always enjoyed visiting the place. Never knew the naafi had buses though! Where do they go?

Originally Posted by PinkStarSky

Hi Sooty

I'm moving to Fally in 2 weeks, cant wait Ive got a job with the naafi and I've always enjoyed visiting the place. Never knew the naafi had buses though! Where do they go?

Hi, buses don't go anywhere exciting I'm afraid, just to the estates and to camp, but it is handy if you don't drive otherwise you'd spend a fortune on taxi's.

That's cool, I was thinking of buying a bike as well to cycle to camp from the naafi accommodation. Its not far but I dont fancy walking in the dark! Or ill just ask my OH to walk with me lol.

So where in Fally do you live?

Hello, I've been requested to post up some info about Fally so I'll give it a go. I've lived here since 1992, when my Dad was posted here with his regiment, so hopefully I'll be able to help out anybody new to the area or anybody that is currently living there and hasn't had the opportunity to get out and about.

The first thing that any potential Fally dweller is likely to think is "where and what are the quarters like?" Well, I'll get started on them

There are five different Married Quarter living areas in Fally.

Firstly, there's the Camp. Well, there's two of them right next to each other with a main road split in between. As you come in off the motorway, you've got Lumsden Barracks on the right hand side. The first couple of blocks on the right hand side are flats, but are a large size - three bedrooms, I think so dont quote me on that. The rest of Queens Avenue are semi-detatched four (including that small room near the attic) bedroom houses with front and back gardens leading down to a few more flats, right next to the Scots DG guardroom. On the outside, these look like Houses - but they're flats, upstairs, downstars kinda deal. As far as I know, these are only one bedroom flats.

From there it's Pall Mall, again these are houses and probably the more peaceful area as it's down the other end of the camp that the ones on the main stretch of QE. These are all two bedrooms, with a cellar and attic as usual.

The other camp across the way is called St Barbaras Barracks. Once you get past the main guardroom and the recently refurbished wooded area , you have more flats on the left hand side, as well as turning right down on to Princess Street, which leads on to St Barbaras Drive and ???. Point of interest is Block L6 Princess Street, where I spent 6 years

The quarters on these roads are all flats and of a healty size, particular a very long hallway in the majority of them. Also handy to note is that there is a Junior School on Princess Street with a Kindergarten right next to it. The estate office for the quarters on camp is in block MB 54. That's across from the rugby pitch, up from the medical center near the 2RTR area of the Lumsden camp.

Secondly, there's the Heidemark estate which in the last year has seen alot of changes. Firstly, all the white blocks of the estate on vor den Badenhop and Hans Stuhlmacher Strasse (Block 45, where I lived for 4 years ) have all been emptied and are in the process of being handed back to the German company that owns them. Rumours that these will be knocked down and rebuilt, other rumours are that they'll just be redone and rented out to the local mixed community. Also, alot of quarters have also have refurbishment - apart from the ones at the front of the estate near the Police Station. For some reason, the respective owners of this area are relunctant to dip into their pockets. So if you want a flat on Heidemark estate - then request blocks 15-23 on Heidemark Strasse as they are brand new, with refurbishment on 15 & 17 literally just finished. Note that the Estate Office is now in Block 17, flat 17 - having moved from right down the bottom of the estate. If you're not sure on block numbers then the office has the large white metal board out the front it. Not to mention the blue work Combi's parked nearby

There are also houses on Heidemark, three streets called Buchenweg, Lindenweg & Weidenweg with a playpark between Buchen and Linden at both ends of the street. They're nice houses but only have a back garden that you can call your own, although you're free to mow the lawn at the front but there's no fence. These houses vary between two and three bedrooms.

The third area is what's locally known as "the bronx" due to the multicutural inhabitants and the state of the flats. This is called Weinberg - or Interbau as it's more commonly known. Although to be fair, there have been recent redevelopments on the outside (new coat of paint) and inside (refurbishments) of the majority of British quarters. Up until five years ago, it was 90% British and the rest German. Since then, half of the British area has been handed back to the owners and now it's a mixture of Turkish, Kurdish, Russians. I have yet to spot a relative of Borat in the last few years though. A right old mixture. The majority of flats there are two bedroom although I could be wrong.

It's also handy to know that some of your Eastern European neighbours have the habit of rummaging through the large green bins and if you put any bulk rubbish out to be collected, expect a few people sniffing around with minutes. Because of the green bins rummaging, some occupants have decided to put a lock on the bin by cutting a large hole at the top of the bin and looping a padlock bike lock through one of the handles. It's really not that bad but just be careful what you put in your rubbish. Use a paper shredder for any paper documents - although they go in the blue bins, as they're the waste paper and the rummagers rarely go through them. Again, there's an Estate Office which is on Lessingstrasse on the corner of Goethering strasse and again there's a large white metal board out the front of it. Further on down on Lessingstrasse, there's the bus stop where you send your little ones off to school or you get the bus into camp.

Anyway, it's small estate. The flats on the left of Theodore Strasse down around the one way system are all Brits as far as I know. I think there's also more Brits on Lessingstrasse but I'm not too sure.

Across the way on the other side of the main road is Oerbke Berg (named after the small village further up the road, past the bridge and past the turn off to the back gates of camp). Although I know it as "Plan". God knows why it's called that. God knows why Interbau is called that either

Anyway, there are a few blocks of flats which have a bluey colour on the exterior. Don't be fooled by the size of the block though, the size of the flats are relatively average and similair to those across the way in Interbau. Why are they so big then? Because of the long corridors and steps. Yeah, I know. Anyway, this estate is manned by the Office across the way so it's only a short walk.

Lastly, there's the Baerenkamp area which is right out the way at the back of the town - in relation of travelling from the camp, that is. The majority here are houses on Baernkamp and Alter Torweg. Both are 2/3 bedroomed houses with a front and backgarden. The flats are the same size and layout as ones on Holunderweg on the Heidemark estate so they're 3 bedrooms. There is a bus stop on the main stretch on Baerenkamp that takes you into camp and the little ones into school but its best that you can drive as the area is a fair distance from any shops and the town center.

Oh and on a side note, if you arrive with no furniture and you wish for some army issued furniture to be delivered - then a crew of civilians in a white truck and sometimes a smaller blue truck will deliver them to you. If you see a bespectacled and quite chubby chap among the group then be sure to say hello and tell him that his information on Fallingbostel on the rearparty website was very very very helpful

Right, after a fair bit of waffling that's the Married Quarters out the way. Hopefully I've been helpful to any new postees in the area. Course, if any other Fally dwellers would like to add something then that would be appreicated too

I'll post some other threads on where to go shopping, where to eat and where to drink soon.

Thanks Matt, thats brill!

Another interesting question

In the army camp and on the St Barb's side (left hand side when coming in off the motorway), there's The Lion. Previously known as The Wild Boar. This is a pub and a place where you can bring the kids on a weekend lunchtime for some food or a place to come with your pals for the Kareoke on a Thursday night. Well, it used to be Thursday. If you do pop in, be sure to say hello to Linda - she's the small Scot working behind the bar and one of my friends. Course, make sure to mention that I sent you

It opens at 7 and closes at 11 during the week. Opening at sometime around 11 on weekends.

Because of the "early" closing time, many people wander into town. Taxis are easy to get from the Lion and will cost a couple of euros.

Now I've not been out and about in Fally Town for a while now, so I'm a bit hazy and hopefully someone help can add some details.

The local dance club is called Cha Chas, which is past the back gate of camp and in the Oerbke village of Fally. Its not of a great standard, imo, but my mate B manages the place so I better be nice It's just your usual dance really, plays all the chart tunes as well as a fair majority of dance and trance, I think. As with all dance clubs, you get your hand stamped at the door although I'm not too sure on the price these days.

Heading into town, there's Big Ben near the train station. They also have a takeaway section on the side of the building, although you can obviously eat indoors as well. Heading on further into town, there's only the Copper Kettle or "Kupferkessel". It's across the way from the Church right in the middle of the town and across the street from the Rossman shop. Its a small place, which sometimes makes for a great atmosphere and occassionaly offering Happy Hours and Buy 2 get one free. When I was a local in there, a Brit called John owned and ran it - although I'm not too sure who runs it now.

There's also a small bar up on the Heidemark Estate, near the Police station...although not too close ...and next to the now empty supermarket building. It also offers takeaway food as well as a good atmosphere due to the size. It's smaller than the Copper kettle.

Finally, as far as Fally bars go, theres Alibi's which is up from the Sparkasse Bank (turning right there as if you're coming from center of town) and across from the firestation. It's also a small place and occassionally holds a small amatuer performance night, like a band or singers.

Restuarants in Fally: I've previously mentioned Big Ben and the Number Two which have takeaways but there's also Rickys Pizza (fast food), La Tattoria (Italian), Olympia (Steakhouse), a Bistro and two Turkish fast food outlets (which offer the Doner Kebab!! ) in the town - as well as the Akropolis (Greek) which is out in the suburbs of the town. Not to mention the McDonalds and Burger King, both of which are right next to the motorway and a easily accessable on the drive home from camp (if you dont live in the camp, that is ).

Also, there's a Bistro in the Naafi shopping area. This is where you get your British food, like Shepards Pie, Breakfast, Toast, etc, etc.

However, there are two particular places that many Fally dwellers go to in the neighbouring town of Walsrode for a dance and a booze up as sometimes Fally can get a bit funny. Firstly, there's Alexander's in the town center. A classy bar with a large TV screen that shows Sports. And there's also Studios, the dance club that is 10 times the size of Cha Chas which has a small takeaway section for your munchies.

What with Walsrode being bigger than Fally, there's more restuarants and other bars. Names and locations of which escape me atm, but pretty self evident when you get into town and through the one way system - which often causes traffic to slow down, naturally.

If the local scene isn't your thing, then Hamburg and Hannover are both accessible by train or an expensive taxi. Hannover is closer, about 40km (30mins by car) away and Hamburg is around 90km (an hour by car). Both have large city centers with numerous bars and clubs - although the prices will be a little bit more expensive.

Again, I've rambled on a fair bit but hopefully I've helped you out a little. If I've missed anything out then I'm sure a fellow Fally dweller can fill in the missing pieces

Me again

Now in Fally town center, the place is littered with Supermarkets. But firstly, I'l mention the obvious Supermarket and that's the Naafi in St Barbs. They have a Bistro there, as well as a Foodhall and a Home & Leisure area (you know, where you get your clothes, CD's, cards, jewellery, TV's, DVD's, etc, etc). There's also a small cafe, a post office and where you can buy you papers and magazines.

For those that are returning to Fally after a long absence, I wonder if you'll notice the change? It basically resembles your average UK supermarket, although not as big.

Now in the town.

The most expensive is called Neukauf or Edeka. That's in the town center, just down from the German post office. It has a bakery too, where you can buy your rolls and cakes as well as a Cheese counter and a Meat counter - where you can get fresh cheese and fresh cuts of meat respectively. But as I said, it's very expensive.

Nettos (decent and affordable), which is across the road from the housing area of the Heidemark Estate and on the main road that leads into town if you take the "Maccy D's/BK route back from camp. Like Edeka, this has it's own bakery although no Cheese or Meat counter. This is where I do my shopping, highly recommended Note of interest: they sell Baked Beans! And cheaper than Edeka! Can get very busy, especially if there's only till open and other workers are wondering around with their finger up their backside, blatantly ignoring the "if there are 5 customers in front of you, we will open a new!" sign that hangs above the tills

REWE (again, decent and affordable) is which is one of two nearest to the Baerenkamp MQ's, but still a fair walk. Again, it has it's own bakery as well as a large Drinkmarket, where there is a large collection of alcoholic and non-alchoholic bevereges. It's brand new and sometimes quite empty, although I've only been there on weekdays.

Lidl, which is on the same road as Nettos but on the other side and further on down if you're travelling from camp, is between affordable and cheap. In the UK, it's known as a "cheap and nasty" but in Germany it's a respectable place with a mixture of afforable and cheap goods. There's lots of special offers with electrical goods here, DVD players, TV's, computers. Although you have to ask instore during the time of the special offer.

Penny Markt is next to REWE and is one of the cheaper supermarkets. They make their own rolls but it's like a self serving bakery, where you have a row of fresh rolls in glass boxes and you basically choose the rolls yourself.

Aldi is further on down from Lidl's (again, if you're coming from camp or Heidemark) and next to the Sparkasse Bank on the corner. This is the cheapest supermarket in the town and where you'll find people on benefits, pensioners and the unemployed frequent most often. Decent place to come if you're short of a few euros and need to get some bread and milk, however.

For clothes shopping and a better variety in music and films CD's/DVD's, then either hop on the train or motorway up to Hamburg and Bremen or down to Hannover. As previously mentioned in my other thread, Hamburg is 90km away and about an hour by car, Hannover is 40km and 30mins by car and now Bremen is about 55km away and 45min by car.

All three have large city centers with plenty of shops with some being cheaper than most, course you'll have to find that out yourself

There's not that much to do around Fally, but a day out in either one of these three Cities is a good way to spend a Saturday.

Alternatively, there's Dodenhof - which is a large shopping center near Posthausen near Bremen, it has a mixture of furniture, clothing, etc. Mixture of Sparkys and Homebase in the UK perhaps?. Although you need a car to get there as it's inaccessible by train.

That's all I can think of, tbh. Course, if any other Fallyer feels I've missed out then they can fill in any missing gaps

Again thanks Matt - do you mind if I merge the topics into one thread and make it a sticky?

Sluice

Nah not at all

Does anyone know how easy it is to get a job on the base, i'm moving out soon (not thrilled!) and would like something to do with my time...

Katy,

Welcome to Rear Party, hope you find this site useful!

On the job front I guess it depends what you want to do - If its just a job you want then I'm sure they are available. Were are you now? If you don't want to say on the main board feel free to PM me.

Sluice (Dawn Patrol Survivor)

It depends if you are a dependant (married or related to someone serving) or a UKBC, that's if you aren't married and have moved over here to be with your beloved, like I did

Basically if you are a UKBC, there's not much you can do except work for the NAAFI. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're desperate :lol:

Hi and welcome to rearparty.

There are quite a few clerical jobs around if you are a dependant. I'm sorry I don't know the link, but if you put GLSU fallingbostel in to google you should get the job site.

GLSU (is garrison labour support unit) will advertise jobs here and in Hohne an Celle as well.

Best of luck and if you want any more help or advise PM me and I'll do my best.

Hey, well we're getting married in a couple of weeks so I guess i'll be a dependent which I don't really like the sound of! As much as I do love Naafi I don't think I could work there....Do many of the wives out there have jobs?

try thislinky