St Benedict's 40th birthday with The Celtic Spaceship

St Benedict's, part of the White Care Group, was established in 1984 by Somerset businessman Les White and his son David, when they bought the property off the Church of England.

Operations manager Philip White, grandson of the founding couple Les and Margaret, said: "We are honoured and overjoyed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of St Benedict’s.

"This milestone is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our staff, the unwavering support of our community, and the warm, loving environment we've cultivated over the years.

"Seeing the smiles on our residents' faces and sharing this special day with so many who have been part of our journey is truly heartwarming.

"We look forward to continuing our mission of providing exceptional care for many more years to come."

The 40 year milestone was marked with a feast attended by staff past and present, friends and family, and nursing home residents.

Putting a contemporary spin on traditional Celtic tunes and mediaeval melodies, The Celtic Spaceship had everyone tapping their feet.

The Celtic Spaceship serenade party-goers (Image: Supplied)

Other standout moments of the joyous night included a surprise presentation to Dave and Sue White.

The duo were given the original keys to the Old Rectory building, the first purchase ledger, and some magnified photographs from St Benedict's early days.

Currently, the White Care Group employs a team of 150 across their multiple care homes, many of whom have worked together for years.

Founder Les White passed away in 2019, having spent some time as a resident at St Benedict's, the very care home he helped establish.