A mason will today pay the Governor a solitary peppercorn for a year's tenancy in the Old State House just as his father did 40 years before him.

As Treasurer of the Lodge St. George, Richard Moulder will play a pivotal role in today's annual Peppercorn Ceremony. He will be following in the footsteps of his recently deceased father, Lester St. George Moulder Treasurer of the Lodge for more than 40 years.

Mr. Moulder Sr. passed away on March 31, and his son thought it fitting he should carry on the tradition.

"I have stepped in to pass this from father to son, and am taking over the position he has done for over 40 years," said Mr. Moulder.

"My father was involved with the Lodge of St. George for over 63 years. As Treasurer he delivered the Peppercorn Ceremony for over 40 years.

"Three years ago I was the actual Master of the Lodge, and it was the first time in its history that a father and son actually delivered the Peppercorn Ceremony," he said.

Mr. Moulder, 49, added: "Thousands of years ago, the son was always there to take on the burden and duties of the father as he got older. So I wanted to do something in recognition of my father. As a son I am now taking on the responsibility of the Treasurer paying the Peppercorn."

Mr. Moulder said that not only was his grandfather also a mason but his own sons Nick, 16, and Cameron, 13, are interested in joining the Lodge.

"I am hopeful my family will carry on this wonderful tradition," he said.

In the Peppercorn Ceremony, members of the Masonic Lodge St. George pay one year's rent to the Governor with a solitary peppercorn.

Since 1816, the rent payment has covered a year's tenancy in the Old State Hall Bermuda's oldest stone building, constructed in 1620.

The building was the original seat of Government until Governor Sir James Cockburn granted the building to Lodge St. George and the Government moved to Hamilton.

During the annual ceremony, the Governor orders the Free Masons to pay their rent, to allow the Old State House to be then used for a meeting of 'Her Majesty's Council'.

A peppercorn is offered on a silver platter atop a velvet cushion, and the keys for the State House are given to the Governor to hold his Council Meeting.