THE RSV vaccine is now being offered by the NHS to everybody aged 80 years or older and all older adult care home residents, representing a major change to eligibility.

To highlight why this matters, NHS Somerset is sharing the experience of 82‑year‑old Alice Hodges from Somerset, who became critically ill last winter after developing what she thought was ‘just a cold’.

Her daughter, Sandra Aplin, described a sudden deterioration, a two‑week hospital stay, and the confusion and the lasting heart damage RSV caused.

Sandra said: “It is so important to get the vaccination.

“I really would not want anybody else to go through what mum went through.

“People just do not realise how serious RSV can be.”

Dr Rob Weaver, a GP and deputy chief medical officer at NHS Somerset, said: “Alice’s experience shows that RSV can become serious very quickly, even in older adults who feel healthy, active, and well.

“It may start with mild cold-like symptoms, but it can lead to complications.

“Expanding the vaccine programme to include everybody aged 80 and over will help protect those most at risk.

“I would strongly encourage all eligible patients to take up the offer when they receive their invitation.

“A small jab now can help keep you, or your loved one, out of hospital later.”

On average, every year in the UK about 9,000 over-75s become infected with RSV and have to be admitted to hospital.

Since September, 2024, RSV vaccination has been routinely available to pregnant women and to older adults aged 75 to 79 years.

THE Somerset branch of the charity Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA) is again hosting the Band of the Royal Marines Lympstone for a performance in Wiveliscombe.

It will be the third time the band’s 50 musicians have performed in St Andrew’s Church, which holds 300 people, most recently in 2024.

The concert is at 7.30 pm on Saturday, May 2, and tickets at £23.85, which includes a booking fee, can be bought online.

Members of HM Royal Marines Band, Lympstone are rated as top class military musicians their world famous Corps of Drums promises an unforgettable evening of varied music and military precision.

The band was honoured to take part in the occasion of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and later at the coronation of King Charles III.

A VILLAGE-based business won a top award in this year’s Somerset Business Awards and two other West Somerset enterprises took runners-up prizes.

Singer Instruments, of Roadwater, took the ‘Employer of the Year’ title, which was sponsored by Stephens Scown.

Snugs Custom-Fit Ltd, of Treborough, was runner-up for the ‘Best Use of Digital Technology Award’ sponsored by Westcotts, Minehead’s Channel Events was runner-up in the ‘Environmental and Sustainability Award’ sponsored by Agratas.

The winners were announced at the biggest final in the awards’ history held at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

Nearly 500 business people from across Somerset attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by BBC Points West and BBC Somerset Business Correspondent, Dave Harvey.

This year was the 21st anniversary of the awards and the 16th year the awards had been supported by headline sponsor Albert Goodman.

Chamber managing director David Crew said every finalist should feel immensely proud of their achievements.

He said: “Each year, these awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable success stories in Somerset’s vibrant business community.

“Despite the ongoing economic challenges, businesses across the county have once again demonstrated outstanding resilience, innovation, and excellence in every sector.

“As the organiser, Somerset Chamber of Commerce is honoured to deliver the county’s largest and most prestigious business awards.”

Michael Cahill, a partner at Albert Goodman, said: “Across every sector, organisations are pushing boundaries, investing in new ideas, and showing what is possible when vision meets hard work.

“Businesses across Somerset are adapting, evolving, and embracing change at remarkable pace whether through digital transformation, investment in skills, sustainable practices, or by expanding in into new markets.”

IT is said that a good tune can be played in many different styles of music, and Paul Harrison's UK/DK Jazz Band certainly proved this when they played Langford Budville’s Jubilee Hall for Wivey Has Jazz as part of their recent UK tour.

‘Non’jazz’ tunes ranged from Mozart’s ‘Rondo Alla Turca’ to ‘Life Is A Cabaret’.

Paul featured on soprano sax in Max Bygraves’ Mr Sandman and on clarinet with piano accompaniment in the theme tune from ‘The Theory Of Everything’.

There were, of course, plenty of jazz tunes, too, including ‘Bogalusa Strut’, ‘Dinah’, ‘Creole Jazz’, ‘Panama Rag’, and ‘Blue Moon’.

Soren Stosbul delighted with ‘Sugar Babe’ played as a boogie, then it was the turn of the audience as it was Richard’s birthday.

Soren sang the world-famous tune in Danish then everybody enthusiastically joined in.

The second-half programme included ‘Petite Fleur’, ‘The King’, and ‘Red Roses For A Blue Lady’. ‘Stars Fell On Alabama’ featured Kevin Grenfell on trombone and Soren on piano.

Then, there was Django Reinhardt’s ‘Swing 42’, so named because it was composed in 1942.

The evening closed with ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’, in which reeds, trombone, piano, Simon on string bass, and Baby Jools on drums all had a feature spot.

The next jazz evening is on May 13 in the Jubilee Hall, in Langford Budville, when Richard Leach’s Street Band will be playing.

The music starts at 7.30 pm and entrance is £15, cash only, payable at the door.

More information is available by calling Mike on 07585 537030 or emailing [email protected].

Listening to ‘live’ music is good for people’s wellbeing, and there is space for dancing. Newcomers are welcome.

ST Margaret’s Hospice Care has announce the successful completion of its Cuddle Bed Appeal, raising vital funds to double the number of these special beds in its in-patient unit (IPU).

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the appeal surpassed its initial target of £20,000, raising more than £26,000.

Combined with funds raised by supporters through swimming challenges, half-marathons, and fund-raising pages in memory of loved ones, and contributions from the IPU team, the total cuddle bed fund has now exceeded £36,000.

Cuddle beds are specially designed hospital beds which allow patients to lie side-by-side with loved ones, offering precious moments of closeness and comfort at the end of life.

Each bed costs £14,995, with the appeal enabling the hospice to purchase two new beds.

Additional funds raised will go directly toward supporting patient care on the IPU.

The appeal received an outpouring of support from the local community, with donors sharing personal messages about the importance of being close to loved ones during difficult times.

One supporter wrote on the dedication page: “Sometimes it is hard to find the right words, but a cuddle says so much. This is such a special cause.”

Hannah Roberts, head of fund-raising at St Margaret’s Hospice, said: “We are incredibly moved by the response to our Cuddle Bed Appeal.

“Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters, we have not only reached but exceeded our goal.

“These beds will make a real difference, giving more patients and their families the chance to share meaningful moments together in the most difficult of times.”

The hospice plans to install the new beds in the coming months and anticipates that they will make a meaningful difference to many patients and their loved ones on the IPU.

St Margaret’s Hospice Care has been at the heart of Somerset’s community for more than 45 years, delivering high quality, responsive, and compassionate care to patients facing a life-limiting illness and their families.

In that time, it has become a household name, firmly rooted in local communities delivering care and support for people living in Porlock in the west of the county to Wincanton in the east, and every town, village, and neighbourhood in between.

St Margaret’s is a community funded charity, caring across Somerset and supporting people of all ages with life-limiting illness, not just cancer.

Its care embraces an individualised, holistic care plan, including physical, emotional, and spiritual care which is available to patients, their families, and carers.

Last year, St Margaret’s supported 5,680 people across Somerset, the majority of whom were cared for in their own homes by one of the hospice’s five community nursing teams.

It has a 24-hour advice line which last year took nearly 26,000 calls, and its specialist in-patient unit in Taunton provides 24-hour complex symptom control.

St Margaret’s Hospice started in 1980 as a nurse-led initiative funded by an event raising just £400.

Today, it is a £15 million turnover operation, employing 350 staff and supported by more than 1,000 volunteers.

With only £3 million funding provided by the Government, the hospice continues to fund-raise year-round to meet the cost of its care.