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BBC News
29-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bristol man who had Covid for 290 straight days dies years later
A man who was once infected with coronavirus for 290 straight days - longer than almost anyone else recorded in the world - has Smith, 76, died peacefully at his home in Bristol on 1 April, his family said. The BBC understands he did not have coronavirus at the time of his Smith, who was a pub and club performer, made headlines around the world after contracting Covid in May 2020 and being unable to fight it off for 10 was dubbed a "miracle man" by doctors for surviving the virus, which saw him hospitalised seven times and left him with 51% of his lung capacity. In 2021, scientists at the University of Bristol studied Mr Smith's case to try to understand how Covid acts and mutates within the described his experience of having Covid as "like someone has pulled the plug and life is just draining out of your body".He lost 10 stone (63.5kg) during his illness, and was left barely able to walk or hold a conversation. Speaking about his ordeal, Mr Smith said he felt "ready to give up" and "resigned" himself to dying as a result of eventually became Covid-free in 2021 after being treated with a mixture of antiviral drugs provided by the US company Regeneron on compassionate grounds.A driving instructor by day and a lead singer by night, Mr Smith was left unable to play with his band due to his ordeal. He did however get the chance to perform again to a hometown crowd when he staged a successful comeback gig in Bristol and went on to fulfil a personal dream in 2023 when he performed on the West End with a Covid choir.
BBC News
02-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Thanet: Community hop growing scheme set to expand
A community hop growing scheme in east Kent is set to Along Thanet, a non-profit making organisation which launched in 2020, encourages its members to grow the crop in their back gardens and allotment plots. The University of Kent at Canterbury has just joined the project and is set to grow 20 plants on its campus. Chris Morrissey, founding member, said: "Its more than a hobby, it's an involvement with a historic Kent tradition". Hop Along Thanet is one of a number of community hop growing groups across Kent. It has more than 50 members who have planted 150 hop bines in their gardens and allotments across are perennial but new roots are planted in early spring with the crop normally harvested in mid Morrissey set up the group during said: "Not only did it bring people together in a difficult period but it gave me something new and interesting to do." After harvesting, the crops are taken to a Margate-based brewery to be turned into beer. Mr Morrissey said: "Every member is invited to come down and have a pint or two."Hops are a wonderful and beautiful thing to have growing in your garden or allotment. "People really enjoy coming together at harvest time."
