THE Scarlet Lardydars group played host to 11 chapters of the Red Hat Society on Saturday with a day of events to celebrate their 27th birthday.

More than 100 women, all aged over 50, descended on Alexandra House in Wroughton as the members of the worldwide sensation came together for tea, retail therapy and games.

The Red Hat Society, founded in 1998 in America, is based on the poem Warning by Jenny Jones, which features the lines, ‘When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, With a red hat that doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.’ Barbara Paul, Queen Bee of the Swindon Scarlet Lardydars, got involved in 2006 with her sister in tow, and welcomed the Devon Dumplings to Swindon on their own birthday.

“This is a worldwide group based on a poem by Jenny Joseph, based on all the things she is going to do when she gets old,” said Barbara.

“It’s a nice thing for ladies over 50 to get involved with, even though you don’t strictly have to be over 50 to join.

“We just go out and have fun. My sister and I started this group and we are the only one in Wiltshire, and we are hosting the birthday of the Society.

“We have done parties for each chapter, and we have 11 chapters here from around the south west.

“We have set up a good bit of retail therapy, which is one of the best things the Red Hats do.

“We have also got a quiz and a pass the parcel. I wanted to do musical chairs, but I thought it would be a bit too dangerous if they get excited.

“In the afternoon we are doing a play based on the original poem. That will be three of us just talking about our lives.”

Barbara said anyone can get involved to suggest activities, and there is plenty more for her to do.

“Some of the highlights of my time have been a convention in 2008 for the whole country, which was organised by just my sister and I,” she said.

“We are just like-minded people who are a little bit dotty, and the theme for today has been either fancy dress or posh and bling.

“There are so many more things I want to do, and within the group we now have 28 ladies.

“We have a monthly meeting and have a ‘hatter natter’, where we plan all the things we are going to do.

“Anybody can suggest things to do and help plan things, and they can either come along or not.

“This month is the birthday of the Devon Dumplings, and when that happens they reverse their clothes - to a purple hat and red clothes.

“There are no rules except the clothes.”

Visit britishredhatters2.weebly.com.