The Peppercorn Ceremony is one of the highlights of the year in St George. It is held annually on King’s Square.
The ceremony begins at 11 am with the town crier introducing various local dignitaries. Following a 17-gun salute the Governor makes a grand entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Dressed in full regalia, he inspects a military guard of honour to the accompaniment of music from the Bermuda Regiment. The Governor, on behalf of the government, then accepts a peppercorn, brought to him on a velvet cushion, from an official of the Freemasons.
And what is the peppercorn for? Well, it’s the annual rent for the Old State House; one of the most beautiful and historically significant buildings in Bermuda. The freeloading Freemasons even have the cheek to ask for a receipt!
The ceremony is held on the Wednesday closest to St George’s Day. The Peppercorn Ceremony in 2020 will be held on Wednesday 22 April (TBC).
