THE year 2005 is fast rushing towards us. As proof, last week the Diary took delivery of its diary - a fake-leather bound guide to the year ahead.

It seems others have also been receiving their diaries. We were particularly interested to hear about the one given to a student who is taking an evening class at York College.

The scholar, who wishes to remain nameless, said the York College Student Guide And Diary contains "a wealth of information on healthy living, managing money, how to revise for exams etc".

The section on food and drink reveals that 16-19 year old learners no longer do boring old "games": they take part in "enrichment activities". And there is even a page dedicated to the dangers of plagiarism (although we're sure we've read it somewhere before).

"But," says our correspondent, "my favourite feature is at the top of every other page in the diary section. This consists of a famous birthday, a brief summary of what the person is famous for and a quotation from that person."

The very first page is a quote from Matrix star Keanu Reeves sure to inspire students with a zeal for learning: "I'm a meathead. I can't help it man. You've got smart people and you've got dumb people."

Flick on to April 21, and the diary records that this was Adolf Hitler's birthday. It adds that he is "Famous for: being responsible for the extermination of six million people".

Surely this is taking the celebrity culture a goosestep too far.

As our student observes: "Shouldn't that be 'infamous for'?"

They add that they love the college and its excellent facilities. "What a contrast to my sixth form days in the Sixties (not in York I should add) when we were treated like children - naughty children at that.

"I mean - inspecting our underwear to make sure we were wearing regulation navy blue knickers with a sewn-on name tape and we were 18 years old!"

STILL no word on how Della's garage sale went as she prepared to move from her North East home to newly-refurbished digs in North Yorkshire.

Struggling to cope with the inevitable build up of redundant belongings that come with a high-flying police job, the Chief Constable arranged a weekend sale at her home.

Never one to miss an opportunity, our sources say she promptly advertised the bash on the force intranet, a messaging system more accustomed to law updates and the latest on arrest protocols.

If anyone picked up a bargain, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Diary. These things could well be worth a fortune when she gets that deputy commissioner job with the Met.

MEANWHILE, Della will be heading to Ripon tomorrow to open the newly refurbished Prison & Police Museum in St Marygate.

Housed in the Grade II* listed Georgian building and former Ripon House of Correction, the museum reopened to the public in May, following an 18-month restoration project costing more than £400,000.

Hands-on exhibits, try-on uniforms and an opportunity to work-out the futile punishments meted out a century ago all feature alongside new collections.

In the five months since its refurb, groups from the USA, France, Canada and Scandinavia have all toured the museum.

And the restoration has proved much better for the long-suffering guides too. New heating means they no longer need to wear thermals during the colder months.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, October 25, 2004