The Senior Citizens’ Tea drew more than 1,000 guests to the Botanical Gardens yesterday.The Island’s elders got a warm welcomed from Premier Craig Cannonier — along with his wife Antoinette, who gave out messages of thanks.“I am excited and encouraged about our future because of you,” Mr Cannonier told them, addressing “grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, aunties, sisters and brothers who through the years have gone ahead of us and taken on the challenges of life”.Mr Cannonier added: “Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, for giving us advice, for fighting for justice, for fighting for peace, for praising us when we were right and correcting us when we were wrong.“The evidence of your many accomplishments over the years is why we can be optimistic about the future — it’s because of you.”The gathering was also welcomed by Health and Seniors Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin — with music provided by Angelis Hunt, the Bermuda Regiment Band, Ming Mambo Salsa Dancers, the Bermuda All Stars Band and the H and H Gombeys.