Visitors, residents and dignitaries looked on as about 60 members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment paraded at the traditional Peppercorn Ceremony in St George yesterday.
Troops were joined by the RBR Band and Corps of Drums for a visit to the town by Her Excellency, the Governor, Rena Lalgie. The ceremony, which dates back to 1816, is when the Governor receives the annual rent of one peppercorn for use of the State House by the Freemasons of Lodge St George.
Her Excellency arrived by landau before inspecting the Regiment’s Guard of Honour. She told crowds, in her reply to an address by George Dowling III, the Mayor of St George: “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.”
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.”
New recruit Private Spencer Brown, a physical trainer, played the French horn in the Band and Corps of Drums as he took part in the event for the first time.
The 49-year-old, of Pembroke, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It took me back to my days playing in the Royal Marines band 30 years ago.”
Pte Brown added that he loves marching and liked the “pomp and circumstance” of the ceremony.
Private Jahmir Durham was one of the medics on hand looking after troops while they held their places in King’s Square under a fierce sun.
The 28-year-old cashier explained: “We were watching them to make sure they weren’t wobbly – if they were, we would go to them and make sure they were OK, give them water when they needed it, wet their gloves.”
She said: “It was a pretty smooth day.”
Wendy Ingham, of Pembroke, said she had a greater appreciation for the ceremony now compared to when she attended as a child.
The immigration inspector added: “I like that it’s a tradition, it’s important not to lose that heritage for the upcoming generations.
“People think that it’s just a ceremony but it has much more meaning to it.
“The Regiment troops are excellent, I think they have great stamina.”
Ruth Tubb, a visitor from Virginia, said she liked to see some of the island’s culture.
She added: “I enjoyed the pageantry. We definitely don’t get anything like this at home.”
For more information or to join the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit www.bermudaregiment.bm or call 238-1045.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.