The Mayor of St George has outlined a vision to help revitalise the Olde Towne.

Speaking during the annual Peppercorn ceremony yesterday, George Dowling III, said he wanted to put the “e” back into “towne”.

“The ‘e’ represents energy, engage, encourage, economy, empower, educate, empathy and evolve.”

In his speech, Mr Dowling also discussed plans to merge the town’s historical charm with new businesses and initiatives, including a long-term marina, a superyacht marina, restructuring the Ordnance Island dock and a new strategic town plan.

He said: “This strategic plan is designed to ensure and enhance our World Heritage Site status, as well as advance our progressive developmental strategy for the town.

“Emphasis will be placed on traffic flow in the town, maximising parking together with [increased] pedestrian pathways, encompassing the needs of our residents while also addressing new business opportunities.

“We must support the St George's economy, where both locals and visitors will be proud to come, shop and be entertained.”

He said the Corporation of St George “is renovating old buildings for rent and doing our part to evolve, but it will take a collective effort from all for our town to thrive. Perfection is a journey not a destination”.

The 206th annual Peppercorn ceremony was officiated by the Governor, Rena Lalgie, in King’s Square. It marked Ms Lalgie’s first ceremonial visit to the town since being sworn in as Governor in December 2020.

The ceremony is typically held in April, but was postponed this year owing to the Governor having to isolate for seven days because of Covid.

During the Peppercorn ceremony, the Masonic Brothers from the St George’s Lodge pay the annual rent of one whole peppercorn to the Governor for the use of the Old State House for their meetings.

The Premier, David Burt; the President of the Senate, Joan Dillas-Wright; Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons; and the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Beasley, were present at the ceremony.

Also there were the Speaker of the House, Dennis Lister; MPs; the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill; US Consul-General Karen Grissette; leader of the One Bermuda Alliance Cole Simons and Mayor of Hamilton Charles Gosling.

Today’s ceremony was the first to see all the traditional pomp and ceremony as previous events were scaled back and were held at Government House in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

During her brief address to the crowd, the Governor expressed her admiration for St George and Bermuda as a whole.

“This town, like the rest of Bermuda, is a wonderful sight of cultural history which continues to be home to people of many different backgrounds,” she said.

“I am pleased to visit St George on this official event and for any other Peppercorn ceremony, and any other event to which the corporation and any other organisation is kindly inviting me.”

For more photos from the Peppercorn ceremony, click here.