emma_uk

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=666305 News Quick off the mark LOOKING for love can be difficult if you live life in the fast lane. Jade Beecroft reports on a dating craze which allows South Yorkshire singles to meet 20 potential partners in one night The phenomenon of speed dating has finally moved north, giving busy South Yorkshire singles the chance to be struck by cupid's arrow. Speed dating is marketed as a modern and sophisticated way to meet like-minded people in a safe environment, without the embarrassment of blind dates or the uncertainty of the internet. A normal speed dating session works in roughly the same way as a game of musical chairs. The women are seated at small tables and the men move around the room meeting each one in turn. The couples are allowed three or four minutes to chat before a bell sounds and the men move to the next table. Each participant keeps a score sheet, and at the end of the night they hand them in to the organisers who compare scores to see if there are any matches. Simon Pugh, chief executive of The Training Exchange in Dinnington, is organising some of the events in South Yorkshire. He first attended a speed dating event in London, and enjoyed it so much he decided to organise events of his own. "Speed dating doesn't have the tarnished image that dating agencies have," said Simon, whose spin-off company is called Lightning Speed Dating. "It's fun and most people get a match within two sessions. "Some people worry that they won't get enough time to speak to someone they like, but we hold our sessions in bars or clubs with a late licence to allow people to socialise afterwards. "The beauty of the time limit is that it means you're not stuck talking to someone you really don't like for hours, like on some disastrous first dates." In effect, speed dating allows participants to "screen" a large number of people in a short space of time, before arranging a proper date, with someone they like, at their discretion. Simon said: "We look at all the score cards at the end of the session to find matches. It's great because it takes away the embarrassment of asking someone out, only to find that they don't fancy you. "We do all that for you, and we don't pass any contact details on without permission from both sides." But with only three minutes to impress potential dates, how can you maximise your chances of making a good first impression? The Training Exchange also offers its clients free one-to-one coaching, either over the phone or in person, before their speed dating experience. Simon said: "The best piece of advice when trying to impress someone new is to smile, lean towards them a little and be really open and friendly with your gestures." Another new Sheffield speed dating company, dateXpress, has taken a different approach by using Green's gym and health club on Napier Street, Sheffield. Director Catherine Hinsley said: "The venue is very important in order to set the scene for the rest of the evening. We spent six months looking for the right place and turned down those that other companies are using." DateXpress is also one of the only companies that breaks its clients down into different age groups, and encourages clients in their 50s and 60s as well as younger people. "I think there are a lot of people out there who may be divorced, widowed, or have kids and want to meet like-minded singles," said Catherine. "In fact, these are often the people who may have been out of the social scene for a while and find it hard to meet potential partners." To try speed dating for yourself contact The Training Exchange on 0845 6009050 or dateXpress on 07764 182804. You can also log on to http://www.datexpress.co.uk 27 September 2003

I dunno what mine would be. I'm having a crap day so can only think of negative things to describe myself. I'll try again when I'm happy

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=664502 Park Hill to Park Lane with £40m makeover SHEFFIELD'S gloomy Park Hill flats are set for a £40 million pound revamp which will turn them into stylish upmarket apartments. The ambitious scheme aims to transform the little-loved block of 1,000 council flats into a collection of plush apartments for sale, rented flats and small businesses. A huge internal refurbishment of the flats interiors would be accompanied by a major clean up of the exterior. Along with elaborate environmental improvements and public art, the scheme aims to create a unique and eyecatching gateway to the city from the M1 and the railway station. The flats are listed as being of national importance for their architectural merit and there are restrictions on external works which would alter original appearance. Already, major commitments have been made by the city council and various regeneration agencies, including the Government-backed English Partnerships, which is expected to announce a multi-million pound grant tomorrow. The massive project requires major private sector investment to succeed - but council leader Jan Wilson is "quietly confident" a developer or a development consortium can be found. She said people living in the flats and others in the neighbourhood were keen to see the transformation go ahead. The idea is to completely transform the flats appealing to a mixture of tenants and home owners. Flats for rent from a housing association would mingle with roomy, yet affordable, homes for sale. There would also be offices and other premises for small businesses. The key to success is Park Hill's uniqueness, location and affordability, said Coun Wilson. "It is a very unusual building on a hillside which is unique nationally. I think it will be visually stunning if it is upgraded. I think Sheffield people will be very impressed if the project is achieved. "Apartments would be generous in size and buyers would get a lot for their money. It would help a lot of young couples get their first foot on the property ladder." If the scheme goes ahead the 1,500 people currently living in the flats will have to move, although most people there are short-term tenants. They will be given the £3,000 home movers allowance and 40 housing points to help them find a new home of their choice. Anybody wanting to return after renovation will be offered assistance but no guarantee. "It would create great upheaval but a significant number of people living on the flats have said they want to move into new houses away from Park Hill," said Coun Wilson. "Nobody is being forced out at this early stage and people are to be interviewed over their wishes. There will be people who want to return and we will do our best to accommodate them but there can be no guarantees. "This is good news for Park Hill after many years of struggling to find sufficient funding." Chairwoman of Park Hill Tenants and Residents' Association Denise Ford said: "A lot of things are not definite yet, but we hope it will work out the way they are indicating. "It can only be good for the tenants, and judging from the reaction we have got this is a positive move. "There will obviously be people who will want to move off, but those who have been told about it think it's quite good." The first move of the transformation of the flats is expected to be the vacating of the giant North Block which is expected to be approved by the council's Cabinet in October. If approved all new lettings will cease and tenants gradually moved out to new homes. Extensive consultation with the residents of Park Hill will take place. There will be a series of public meetings in October and a housing officer will visit every household in the North Block to discuss rehousing. 25 September 2003

Well I have read through this thread and can honestly say it has made me feel like ****. Yes, I live in a poor area, yes there's crime, there's drugs, but there are so, so, so many things that are better than when I lived in Broomhill. We have an incredible mix of cultures, nationalities and languages here. We TALK to each other. We smile and say hello as we pass strangers. We know the staff in the local shops who always care about how you are. I like where I live, mostly. It's far from perfect but there's enough of it for me to like, to stay here. And yes, I can't afford to live anywhere else. But I'm here and I'm making the most of it. Then I read people's comments about council housing. How can you make a judgement about ME based on my postcode? How can you tell me what it's like to live here when you're in ****ing Ecclesall. Yes you have tree lined streets. Woo hoo. I've lived in places with tree lined streets and never even had my next door neighbour say hello to me. And YOU judge ME because of where I live? You make me feel like something you've trodden in because you're living on a different bus route (yes I use buses. I don't own a car. I can't afford one, and even if I could I wouldn't use one. They're awful things). How dare you make me feel so bad about myself?

>Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in >waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht >the >frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. >The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. >Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but >the wrod as a wlohe. amzanig huh?

Ooh yes Davina!! Hadn't thought of her but have to agree

erm I'm not sure ... Kate Lawler from Big Brother last year, yes I think so.

Yep site worked ok for me this time Cheers. Good photos

When I go to the website for photos it says page not found???

Food: sprouts too bananas Drink: yup co-op own alcopops camomile tea

One of the papers said Tony can't carry on without Alistair, but Alistair can get on very well without Tony. So let's hope Tony's next...

I know the answer to this one!!!!! My local Lloyds Pharmacy has bags you put foreign currency in and it goes to charity. If your local one doesn't have this then PM me and I'll give you details of mine if you're interested Emma

coooooooooooool can't wait!!!!

Oh for goodness sake t020. Why are you so protective of your precious Ecclesall? And, more to the point, why are you more bothered about what people think of your area, than the fact that someone is dead???

Hi Kamadji, I live on Parkhill and I like it. Funny you should ask really (lol) cos I've just started an email group for Park Hill residents!! Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ParkHillParadise/ and join us, find out more from there! And get your housemates and anyone else in the area to join too! Welcome to the area, Emma