Pomp and pageantry were the order of the day in the old town of St. George's yesterday as visitors and locals flocked to the east end to bear witness to history.

It was the final time Governor Lord Waddington would demand and receive the key for the state house as he leaves the island next Tuesday. His first Peppercorn ceremony was in 1993.

Meanwhile, Premier Pamela Gordon and Opposition leader Jennifer Smith both presided over their first Peppercorn ceremony since assuming their respective offices.

Lord Waddington told the crowds it was "an occasion tinged with sadness''.

And he took aim at draft dodgers as he complimented the men of the Bermuda Regiment on their turnout.

He said: "It is a fine institution of which the people of Bermuda are rightly proud and I should like to say that those who find some excuse not to serve are not doing themselves a service.'' And he added the Regiment was "an essential guarantee of the Island's security and well-being'' in time of natural disasters as well as civil disturbances.

The Governor also thanked Police and Commissioner Colin Coxall for his "outstanding leadership''.

The solemnity of the occasion was underscored in no small measure because the event coincided with the bicentennial celebration of Lodge St. George and included the participation of the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Barbara Austen, the Town Crier and a host of other dignitaries from the Dorset, England town.

They were on the island for the official twinning of Lyme Regis and St.

George's.

Lyme Regis is the birthplace and final resting place of Admiral Sir George Somers, the man who colonised Bermuda and whose heart is buried in St.

George's.

Lord Waddington said he had enjoted many visits to St. George's.

He added: "We have also seen great progress since our first Peppercorn Ceremony in 1993. I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to make this historic town a credit to Bermuda and a delight to both students of this Island's history and visitors from overseas.'' As usual, the entire affair and ceremonial occupation of the 375-year-old State House was a guaranteed spectacle. A guard of honour and keepers of the guard were provided by Training Company of the Bermuda Regiment.

Captain Edward Lamb was the parade commander while number one guard was commanded by Lt. Marc Telemaque. Number two guard was commanded by Lt. Jeremy Wright. The majority of the soldiers on parade yesterday had begun their military careers last January.

Additional pageantry came in the form of the freemasons of Lodge St. George who turned out in full regalia to pay the yearly rent of one peppercorn for their use of historic building for the past 182 years.

The freemasons were given use of the building when the seat of Government was moved in 1816 from St. George's to Hamilton.

In addition to its usual payment of one peppercorn and to mark its 200th anniversary, the Lodge St. George paid its rent with a gold peppercorn.

The Freemasons also presented gifts to Lord Waddington, Mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward, and Lyme Regis Mayor Barbara Austin.

The Lodge was established in 1797. It is the oldest Scottish Lodge outside of Scotland.

THANKS -- Governor Lord Waddington receiver a gift from teh Right Worshipful Master of Lodge St. George Colin Curtis at the annual Peppercorn Ceremony yesterday. Lord Waddington leaves for the United Kingdom next Tuesday.