STUDENTS will learn this week whether they have the A level results to propel them to their favoured university.

Those who hope to study in York will be searching for an independent guide to our wonderful city, and the Diary has found it.

Not many know the University of York boasts a Mexican Society, with 49 members from the Latin American country.

The society's Survive In York guide is aimed at Mexicans planning to relocate in York. But we feel it would be useful to any incomers to our ancient city, particularly those from overseas. Judge for yourself from these extracts.

"Weather. What can I say, it is depressing. Prepare for days when the sun doesn't seem to come out and endless showers. If the summer is good you'll have the opportunity of not carrying a jumper or an umbrella while the Brits are half naked enjoying the very hot day of 20 Celsius degrees.

"Food. The first time you try baked beans is an experience worth to remember... The taste can be described as a mixture of rusty can, ketchup, sugar and very bad beans. As you will notice fast food means fat in this country, so if you don't want to become part of the obese population of York avoid English breakfast and fish and chips.

"Leisure. English way of having fun is quite shocking. Inebriated people stroll every night. Sick spots are in many corners, friends and couples beat each other in an effort of making the conversation more mature, red-eyed football supporters sing unintelligible songs, and overall people get laid often (lucky them!) than in Mxico. Every night before 11.30 there is a race in every pub. The winner is the drunkest person and everyone tries really hard to get the first place..."

YESTERDAY we reported how the New Earswick All Blacks attempted to break the record for the most people in a minibus. Incredibly, 53 people were crammed on board the 16-seater vehicle.

This sent us to our copy of the Guinness Book Of World Records to discover whether there were any local feats already in there.

We found two. The first is for Most Heads Shaved. Says the entry: "A quintet of hairdressers (Gail Clark, Alen Stuart, Iain Sallis, Michelle Ivison and Gail Penman all UK) shaved a total of 228 heads in four hours at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, York, North Yorkshire, UK on January 19, 2003".

The second is the prestigious Most Model Railway Vehicles Made By One Person. "The largest collection of model railway vehicles made by one person is the J P Richards Collection, now owned by the National Railway Museum in York, England. There are 610 models handmade to scale by James Peel Richards of the UK."

So now you know.

THANKS to my colleagues for filling this space while I was away, particularly Steve Carroll.

Yesterday he chose a winner for our caption competition, but we must find room for another couple of entries.

We wanted to know what council leader Steve Galloway was saying to Miss York. Daphne Stead, of Huttons Ambo, has Steve saying to the woman in her undies: "With you as my agent, I'm sure to be elected."

Glyn Myerscough, of Acomb, notes that the councillor is a James Bond fan, and suggests this exchange:

Miss York: "What's that bulge under your jacket James?"

Mr York: "It's only my Biretta. We're both frilled to see you've won."

Updated: 09:19 Tuesday, August 16, 2005