Politicians, soldiers and dignitaries gathered in King’s Square, St George, yesterday for the 207th annual Peppercorn Ceremony.

During the event, the Masonic Brothers from the St George’s Lodge pay the annual rent of one whole peppercorn to the Governor to use the Old State House for their meetings.

The St George’s brothers were joined by Freemasons from lodges in Canada and the Bahamas.

The Governor, Rena Lalgie, David Burt, Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons and Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Beasley, Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, were present at today’s ceremony.

Also there were Speaker of the House Dennis Lister, other MPs and senators, United States Consul-General Karen Grissette, the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, and the Mayor of Hamilton, Charles Gosling.

Typically held on the Wednesday closest to April 23 — which is St George’s Day — last year’s ceremony was postponed until October, owing to Ms Lalgie having to isolate for a week because of Covid.

George Dowling III, the Mayor of St George, said that holding the ceremony on its usual date was “bringing history and tradition back on track”.

He added: “Getting things back on track, or creating a better track, has been the legacy of this administration and council.”

Mr Dowling highlighted the work being done in St George, including building a new marina, upgrading electrical systems on Ordnance Island and opening a brewery in a warehouse.

He said: “To those that say nothing has been done within the past four years, tell them to look around and see what this administration and council have done.

“My heart will always be committed to doing the best for this town, both now and for future generations.”

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In her reply to Mr Dowling, the Governor said: “St George’s is not just a place of history, it is also — as you have made clear, Mr Mayor — a place of much current and future activity, which should rightfully be celebrated.

“Your Worship, let me also join you in thanking the Royal Bermuda Regiment for supporting the Peppercorn Ceremony and for the important role which they, together with the Bermuda Police Service, play in continuing to ensure the safety and security of these islands.”

Hundreds of spectators, both locals and visitors, gathered around the square to watch the event.

Loretta Hassell and Lynette Wilson rode the bus from Sandys to experience the ceremony in person for the first time.

Ms Hassell said: “This was the first time I saw the Governor in person, and it was quite interesting and very good.

“I think that I will come around and see it again next year.”

Ms Wilson said: “It was a very historical and colourful event. I was quite impressed with everything.”

Sandy Wilson and Anne Parsons, who are visiting the island from Ontario, Canada, said: “It was wonderful to see all the pageantry of this important event and it was also good to see a hardworking mayor.”

The Regiment’s Captain Ryan Eve, who was the parade commander, said after the event: “It was a real pleasure as the second-in-command of A Company to lead my first parade today, especially on the eve of our participation in the Coronation parade in the UK.

“All the troops looked great. They performed well — as I expected them to.

“It was great to be welcomed by the Town of St George and it was a good turnout from the public.

“It is an honour to play my part in a ceremony that dates back over 200 years.”

For more photographs of this year’s ceremony, click here.