A fascinating time capsule of life in Bermuda in 1947 has been found by workmen repairing the roof of the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton.

The crew of Canadian workers found the glass jar stuffed with old newspapers hidden in a wooden recess in the north transept on Wednesday as they were replacing the copper roof.

The time capsule seems to have been placed in the roof in 1947 when local carpenter A.C. Acton completed termite control work on the structure.

And in an echo of events in Bermuda today as the Cathedral seeks money for a roof repair. There was a story in the January 15 1947 edition of The Royal Gazette from 1947, three copies of the Diocesan magazine, a receipt from A.C. Acton, and a letter from the then Bishop Arthur Heber Brown about the work.

Bishop Ewen Ratteray said yesterday: "It is quite exciting and fascinating to read the newspapers from the period and to see what was happening.

"For instance, I didn't know we exported honey. That was a surprise. I haven't read them all, but apparently there is a letter to the editor talking about the downturn in tourism. The more things change, the more they remain the same!"

The headlines on the front page of the July 18 edition in 1947 were: "German Issue Injected Into Paris Marshall talks: French Anxieties Reinstated;" "Delay in Return of Queen of Bermuda Here is Indicated;" "No Exports of Local Honey are Possible;" "Charge of Attempted Murder Against Man;" "Lack of Male Players for Shakespeare Play - Plenty of Juliets but No Romeos, Says Producer;" "Dredger for Dockyard Arrives from Rangoon - Due This Afternoon After Four Month Sea Voyage;" "Russia Signs Another Satellite Trade Pact;" "Sandys Group Demonstrates Need of Youth Club;" and "Oil from Lena Broden Will Not Foul Beaches - Crippled Ship Refloats; Being towed to Dockyard - 2000 tonnes of Water Pumped Out Yesterday."

A receipt from A.C. Acton for work on the north transept, notes: "Visitors who inspected the roof included Billy Acton (8), Nancy Acton (9), Ronald Doidge, Jack Acton, Jack Adams, Charles McGhee, Constable Thompson, Bobby Glasford (7), and David Gutteridge (7)."

Steve Long, the roofer who discovered the jar, said: "I was quite thrilled. It's quite exciting when you find stuff like that and I was dying to see what was inside.

"But I kept it to show it to the bishop. I think it's terrific, it's an amazing find."

Bishop Ratteray said he now plans to place another time capsule in the roof so future generations can find out about life in Bermuda in 2002 when the roof is next repaired.

"I expect we will do something. We'll probably have to put