Threatening rain clouds failed to hamper yesterday's annual Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's Town Square.

Hundreds of spectators, including many tourists, ignored forecasted showers to watch the pomp and ceremony.

The tradition began in 1816 when the Island's seat of Government moved from St. George's to Hamilton.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney was on hand yesterday to accept the annual rent of one peppercorn for the State House, trusted to Free Mason Lodge 200, formerly 266.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox was also at the ceremony as Acting Premier.

Perhaps the most notable moment came prior to the arrival of the Governor, when seven ear-splitting cannon ball shots were fired towards the harbour by the Bermuda Regiment — the official signal of the Governor's arrival.

After the first shot rang out unexpectedly, which inevitably caused alarm for a group of children from the East End Primary School, tourist David Gray quipped: "Now that's a wake-up call!"

The rain held-off until the proceedings were over. One spectator, Richard Grant, from Sandys, said: "I'm here today because my son is in the (Regiment) parade.

"I came down to watch him... this is my first time witnessing this ceremony in person.

"My wife and I were out walking this morning so I mentioned (the ceremony) to her so we came down here on the ferry."

Similarly, Cheri Hunter, from Paget, revealed to this paper: "I've come down to watch because my husband is a Freemason and is in the parade too.

"This is my first time here. I was impressed... I didn't realise all of this was such a ceremony, I've only seen it on the news at night.

"But I don't think a lot of people realise what goes into setting this ceremony up and getting it ready... especially the Regiment's function."

Prior to the Governor's fashionable arrival, escorted by a Police motorcade, St. George's Mayor Maria Caisey perhaps rivalled his entrance to the Square by entering via a horse-drawn carriage as Parliamentarians and various dignitaries looked on.

Sir Richard told the Mayor and the crowd: "Thank you Madam Mayor for your kind words of welcome, to my wife and to me on this most formal and ceremonial visit by the Governor and his wife to St. George's in this year, 2008. Madam Mayor, I listened with interest and respect to your account of progress over the last year toward improving the physical infrastructure of your town.

"Many of us are so struck by the beauty of the ancient buildings which you have here in St. George's.

"I think we're all seeking to maximise the opportunity given to you by the outside world when this town was awarded the significant accolade of being named as a World Heritage Site.

"Many other countries much larger and much more populous than Bermuda have so far failed to generate any World Heritage Sites of their own."

Ms Caisey expressed promise for the town with the ongoing demolition of the old Club Med hotel and a renovated Police station for the area.