Hundreds of visitors and locals alike gathered in St George’s yesterday to witness the annual Peppercorn Ceremony.The event is held every year on the Wednesday closest to St George Day.In that day the St George’s Masonic Lodge pays an annual rent of a single peppercorn to the Governor for use of the Old State House.The tradition began in 1816 when the government left the historic building to the Freemasons to keep it from falling into disrepair after the capital of the Island was officially changed to Hamilton.The Bermuda Regiment opened yesterday’s ceremony, marching with the Regiment Band onto King’s Square in formation.Mayor of St George Kenneth Bascome arrived with his wife on a horse-drawn carriage. He thanked Governor Sir Richard Gozney for his help in extending the operating hours of the town’s police station.“With the police station now open 24/7, our community is now well serviced and protected,” he said.He also touched on the promise of future hotels in the East end according to the Mayor plans for a boutique hotel in the town and a new Park Hyatt resort on the former Club Med site are moving forward.“We are eagerly awaiting them to bring new life to this community,” he said.“Although we are living with economic challenges, we are working with our partners to improve this town.“We will continue to work together on projects to encourage people to come to Bermuda.”Sir Richard joked that perhaps barter arrangements, like that with the Old State House, could be used to reduce other costs.“Perhaps we should pursue this with Belco, the petrol stations, and the producers of Gosling’s rum to do away with their increasing demands for cash.”Calling himself a “frequent and enthusiastic visitor” of St George, the Governor praised the Corporation for its work in St George’s, noting the Sea Venture monument erected last year on Barry Road.Other public figures also attended the annual ceremony Acting Premier Michael Scott, Opposition Leader Kim Swan, Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva and numerous Members of Parliament and Senators turned out.Visitors and locals surrounded King’s Square, taking pictures and videos of the event as school children sat on the ground looking on.Robert Kind, a visitor from Providence, Rhode Island, said: “It was nice. We don’t have this kind of pomp and circumstance very often back home.”St George’s resident Maria Spence said she enjoyed watching the ceremony every year.“I’m a little surprised they didn’t do a 21-gun salute this year,” she said. “Maybe it’s a budget thing. I don’t know.”