Seniors will enjoy the fun and nostalgia of Cup Match without the sweltering heat at a tea party next week.

Organiser Terry Smith expects 100 people to attend, up on the 80 who came to the first event last year. He hopes it will become an annual tradition.

He said: “It’s a lot of fun. People tell their favourite Cup Match stories, young cricketers come and serve the elders their tea and food, and we’ve already started decorating the tent in Somerset and St George’s colours.”

The Tee’l Pre-Cup Match and Emancipation Day tea for seniors will be held at Somerset Cricket Club, this year’s venue for the East versus West clash.

Mr Smith, 56, from Somerset, said the tea party was “truly a community venture supported by businesses in the community as well as family and friends”.

He said: “I wanted to do something to contribute back to the community and to help seniors celebrate the holiday because the main Cup Match events can be long and hot and many of our elders won’t be able to go.

“So, this tea party is for them and really has the spirit of Cup Match. There’s always so much more to learn from our elders.”

Entertainment will include Robert Symons on the steel pan and vocals by Bermuda Idol winner Willard Burch.

The Miss Cup Match Senior 2018 pageant will also be held, where entrants will showcase their best Cup Match outfits and tell their favourite stories.

The event will run from noon to 3pm and is free to all seniors.

John Rankin, the Governor, David Burt, the Premier, and Jeanne Atherden, the Opposition leader, are expected to attend.

Any seniors who would like to attend should call Mr Smith on 234-0430 or contact him through his Facebook page, Terrylee Smith.