Two packed tea parties were held at The Loft in Street today, Tuesday, 26 November 2025, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of local shoemaking giant C & J Clark.

Organised for Clarks pensioners, the event featured a film screening, tea and cakes — and proved so popular that guests had to be turned away, despite two sittings for 120 people.

Organiser Nina Swift thanked supporters for helping bring the event together. "Great thanks goes to Mark Tobin, proprietor of The Loft, for the use of his establishment and donating teas and coffees, and Burns the Bread and Peggy's Diner for donating the cakes for the 120 guests," she said.

"Thanks also to The Shoemakers Museum for the film and for sending along its Collections Team to record reminiscences."

Clarks, founded in Street in 1825, remains one of Somerset's most recognisable brands. The company's bicentenary has been marked by a number of community events across the village this year.

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