An entrepreneur and activist paid tribute to St George, the oldest continually-occupied, English-speaking town in the Western Hemisphere to mark World Poetry Day.

Kristin White, the owner of Long Story Short gift store and tour centre in St George, spoke at the event, themed “St George’s through my eyes”, which took place in King’s Square, 25 years after Unesco designated the Olde Towne a World Heritage Site.

Ms White, who also offers historic tours throughout the area, said: “When I walk around the town, I think of all the people that have lived in this town for over 400 years, that feels magical and feels like something that should be written down in poetry.”

She told attendees: “Each of us has a role to play to ensure that our town continues to be a special place, a place that will inspire poetry for generations to come.

“From making sure that we are keeping our town beautiful and clean to the way that we treat each other with kindness, each of us build the poem that makes this town a special place.”

Students from St George’s Preparatory School, St David’s Primary School, East End Primary School and Francis Patton School recited poems about St George and Bermudian culture during the event, which followed World Poetry Day on Saturday.

Edwina Fullerton, an administrative assistant at St David’s Primary, was guest poet and recited her piece, Through My Eyes, St George’s Parish.

Part of it read: “Within the Unesco site lies a scared gem beneath Bermuda’s skies, St George’s settlement is said to be the oldest English town by the sea.

“Since 1612, its stories survive, where, forced and proud, history is alive.”

It concluded: “St George’s Parish, proud and free, you are the mirror that looks through me.”

A group of pupils from St David’s Primary recited: “I am the strength of those who came before me, who stood firm where I now stand, building hope with faith and courage, making this small rock our home.

“From St George’s, land of history, to Dockyard’s sturdy shores, every parish tells its story of resilience at its core.”

Ms White cited American poet Mary Oliver as she asked attendees what they plan to do with their “wild and precious life”.

She said: “I plan to spend my one wild and precious life here in the Town of St George — I hope that wherever you plan to spend your wild and precious life that you bring all of your love, your passion and your poetry to everything that you do.”