British newspaper The Times carried an article entitled "Britain's first banana found in Tudor rubbish'' which said the earliest recorded bananas in Britain were believed to have been brought from Bermuda in 1633.

But the article focused on a banana uncovered by archaeologists working on waterlogged Tudor fish tanks next to the River Thames which may be 70 years older.

These tanks had collected rubbish over the years and their contents included Tudor armour, shoes, tools and the earliest scrap of Chinese porcelain found in London -- along with the banana which dated back to 1560 and is believed to have come from West Africa.

ROSEMONT TRIES AGAIN PLN Rosemont tries again The owners of the Rosemont Guest Apartments have reapplied to have a large expansion project approved by the Development Applications Board.

Last autumn, then Environment Minister Harry Soares approved the expansion, pending alterations to meet objections.

The neighbours, Judith Montgomery-Moore and Monroe Trout, feared their properties would be encroached on by the new buildings and also feared increased noise and pollution.

The Royal Gazette understands the application has been tendered at this time because of an agreement between Mr. Trout and guest house owner Cyril Cooper.

In addition the new plans incorporate suggestions by the Bermuda Police on security at the hotel, particularly the replacement of blinds believed to offer criminals cover.

Mr. Cooper intends to demolish an existing building to build 18-new tourist units.

NEW CATHEDRAL CANON APP CHU New Cathedral Canon A former curate at St. John's Church, Pembroke, has been appointed the next Canon residentiary of Bermuda Cathedral.

Father Keith Wassall, who replaces Canon John Diehl, will take up the post in September.

Currently priest in charge of St. Paul's Church in Wolverhampton, UK, Fr.

Wassall is married with two grown children.

"It has taken a long while finding a new residentiary Canon, but I am happy that the wait is over and looking forward to Fr. Keith coming on board,'' Bishop Ratteray said.

SUSPENDED SENTENCE CTS Suspended sentence A 17-year-old has stacked up fines and a suspended prison sentence.

Michael Raynor, of Broken Hill Road, Smith's Parish, was due in Magistrates' Court on June 2 to face charges alleging that he stole $48 from a school classmate in March, 1997.

The court heard on Friday how the teenager stole the money from a physically challenged person who was holding it for another student.

Raynor had also been caught riding a pedal cycle without lights, for which he was fined $30. He pleaded guilty to both charges. The teenager was given two years probation in February last year for several offences, including breaking and entering.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis granted the youngster a 12-month conditional discharge.

DIVORCESS GRANTED DIV Divorces granted The following divorce decree nisis were recently granted in the Supreme Court between: Roderic Carlton Eugene Butler and Verna Lillian Butler; Anthony John Coleman and Mary Gwendoline Coleman; Latisha Leanne Marie Smith and Carlton Garrett Smith; Gina-Ann Smith and Winston George Mathew Daniels; Doreen Glenda Harvey and Marvin Eldon Harvey; Marita Joan Simmons-Martinez and Jose Antonio Martinez; Cindy Theresa Wood and Michael Andrew Wood; Malcolm Leroy Simons and Diana Margaret Simons; Michael Eugene Jones and Joanne Dawn Jones; Sheila Olive Marie Lambert and Rupert Osoralla Lambert; Raymond Eugene Smith and Sharon Laronica Smith; Robin Mehta and Margaret Page Mehta; Claudette Renee Sherwood and Kevin Daniel Sherwood.