The Cup Match spirit was in full swing at the Tee’l Pre-Cup Match and Emancipation Day Tea for Seniors yesterday, despite a last-minute change of venue.

Terry Lee Smith, who organised the event this year, said that while the tea had to move from the Somerset Cricket Club on late notice, about 275 seniors were able to enjoy live music and treats at Warwick Camp, while dressed in their Cup Match finest.

“We had a tenting issue in Somerset, so we ended up moving it with the support of the Royal Bermuda Regiment,” he said.

“It was really beautiful up there, everything went really well. We had a really great turnout. The Deputy Governor was there; David Burt, the Premier, was there.”

Mr Smith said that he had worried that not everyone would be able to make it because of the location change.

Instead, the challenge became making sure there were enough chairs for the large number of seniors in attendance.

“One advantage of the change of venue is that it is fully air-conditioned to the max,” he said. “You cannot get any better than that in the middle of summer.

“All the ladies came out in their Cup Match outfits, dressed to the nines.”

This year the event paid tribute to Bermudian trailblazers including Clyde Best, a barrier-breaking football player; Molly Burgess, a celebrated Bermuda Industrial Union official; Sharon Bartram, a Bermudian businesswoman; and the legendary women’s softball team known as the Big Blue Machine.

Mr Smith said he was particularly happy to be involved this year because illness had forced him to miss the 2024 tea.

“Last year I was unable to do the tea party, so the team itself put last year’s tea party on without me,” he said. “To be able to do this party this year really meant a lot to me.”