Speed dating in Sheffield

Speed dating in Sheffield gets a new look this month.

Single lesbians and gay men need look for love no further as HaHa Bar prepares to host its first lesbian and gay speed dating nights.

The events are due to take place on Sunday 11th November for women and Sunday 18th November for men at 7pm. Tickets are priced at £7 and places are very limited.

Organisers, the South Yorkshire Pride Committee plan to use the proceeds as vital funding towards Sheffield’s first ever pride event.

A spokesperson said: ‘We hope the events will receive support from all areas of the gay community and that you will relish the chance to meet others in a fun, safe way.’

This is the first of many fundraisers planned for South Yorkshire Pride Sheffield, which is to take place on 25th May next year. Tickets are available from Lion’s Lair. For details of speed dating or South Yorkshire Pride Sheffield, email southyorkshirepride@hotmail.co.uk or see www.southyorkshirepride.co.uk

Queer as folk

For those of you who like your music on the folky side, you should check out band of the moment Rachel Unthank & the Winterset.

Featuring our very own Belinda O’Hooley, this all-woman band has received rave reviews for their new album The Bairns released in August. With songs and sessions on Radio 2, plus interviews and features in The Guardian, Times and Independent, they are about to start the November leg of their UK tour. O’Hooley, the songwriter and pianist in the band, is excited to be performing in her home town of Huddersfield on Friday 30th November at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Tickets are priced from £8 from the box office 01484 430528. Visit www.rachelunthank.com for details.

Wakefield network

So do you want to meet other lgbt people who work for Wakefield Metropolitan Council? Well then you need to join the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council LGBT Network.

‘We have an exciting and interesting time ahead of us,’ says a spokesman. ‘The Network is busy planning its role within the Council and will be a place of support for lgbt employees of the council, will be able to advise the council on lgbt issues (such as the goods and services act), attract new members and have occasional social activities. It will also be a valuable network for lgbt employees. If you are lgbt and work for WMDC here’s your chance to get involved, meet lgbt colleagues, have influence in council policy towards the lgbt community and perhaps make some new friends and have fun!’

The next meeting is on Tuesday 20th November, 2007, noon-2pm (Venue to be confirmed). Contact Jake Braden on 01924 211116 or 07810 550532 or j.braden@mesmac.co.uk for venue information or to confirm your attendance.

Huddersfield Gay Group’s (HuGG) Late Summer Buffet Lunch raised £121 for the group’s funds. £50 of the money raised will be donated to the Terrence Higgins Trust. HuGG meets every Tuesday and their new diary up to Jan 2008 is now online at www.hugg.org.uk