More than 100 seniors attended a pre-Cup Match tea party at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Dorothy Morrissey, 86, said the tea party was “a very nice environment”, adding: “I was born and raised in Somerset, and I’ve travelled all across the world. But Somerset is my home”.

Lois Baxter, 92, was crowned Miss Cup Match Senior as part of the event. Brownlow Place, who has just celebrated his 102nd birthday, also attended the event.

One St George’s fan, who asked not to be identified, said: “There’s a lot more being done for the seniors around the island now. Because of this event I was able to meet up with people that I haven’t seen in a long time; it’s very nice”.

Terry Smith, the organiser, said the event was “a great success”.

VIP guests included John Rankin, the Governor, David Burt, the Premier, and Jeanne Atherden, the Opposition leader.

Mr Smith, from Pembroke but a Somerset supporter, said: “My mother came from Somerset, she was a Somerset girl, so I had to be a Somerset boy.”

He added: “From the time I was a little boy, I began to come to the Cup Match games, and it was just another holiday to me before I learnt its true meaning”

“The Cup Match came about because of emancipation — the younger people don’t know about the true meaning.”

Mr Smith said: “When I was a kid, the meaning of Cup Match was implanted into our very beginnings — there needs to be more learning in our schools about emancipation.

“Cup Match is the best time to capitalise on our shared values and come together to celebrate the anniversary of emancipation.

“I’m looking forward to a good, clean game this year, and this tea party has been a great way to kick off the festivities,”

Mr Rankin added: “I have to remain neutral in the competition between Somerset and St George’s, but I know that this is an important holiday for all Bermudians and their families, so I wish everyone a safe and happy Cup Match”

Ms Atherden said: “For two days we are going to be combative between Somerset and St George’s, but after that, we need to remember that we are one, and we need to work together to create a better Bermuda”.

The tea party gave seniors a chance to enjoy an afternoon of refreshments, entertainment, and festivities.

The guests heard songs from Brothers in Music who said the experience was “an honour”.