Sophie Fox

The heating is on at work, Santa has taken his throne in Albert's Square, and the Christmas Markets are so close you can almost smell the bratwurst, which all means winter is definitely here. This can only mean one thing - the ice rinks are coming. A good old fashioned festive ice skate is one of the best ways to enjoy the season, but if still need convincing, here’s why everybody should get their skates on this winter. It'll burn off some of the festive caloriesOK, it may be not the most persuasive argument but it's true that skating is a top form of exercise. You can burn up to 500 calories an hour on the ice. This obviously implies that you will spend more time on your feet than on your backside - there are no guarantees of this - but still, it sounds like a pretty cool way to lose those lbs (see what we did there). You can dress in some snazzy outfitsMittens? Check. Bobble hat? Check. Oversized cardi that you really should throw away but can’t? Check. Ice skating is cold so it is therefore perfectly acceptable to dress head to toe in wool and not feel like the pigeon lady in 'Home Alone'. Unless you want to go for the Lycra and sequinned option in which case, we salute you! You might fall in loveYou’ve seen it in the movies or cheesy dating website adverts: couple go ice skating, they are forced to hold hands, she stumbles, he catches her, sparks fly, a choir starts singing, yada yada yada. Odds of this happening are slim to none, but what a story to tell the grandkids. Y

Manchester is hands down the best city in the UK, if not the world. That said, if you are looking for love and the thought of making eye contact with a fellow Mancunian on the tram or in a bar fills you with fear, then Tinder is the place for you. Here's a little of what you can expect from the Tinder offering in the area and the 11 types of people you can expect to be swiping within 10k of the city centre. 1. The bearded hipster Who knew hipsters liked Tinder too?! Clearly there aren't enough ladies hanging round unknown bands drinking craft ale on a Tuesday night. Profile picture is usually full bearded, man bun optional. Swipe right for an eclectic taste in music and be prepared to be judged for ordering a white wine. 2. The aspiring rock star Band name unknown but guaranteed to have a picture of him playing guitar at a packed out venue which was probably his auntie's 50th birthday party. He's in his 30s and convinced he can still break into the music business - but he still works at the cinema. 3. The Tinder tester Profile picture:           'Nuff said. 4. The unexpected heart-throb Who knew that a Spanish part time male model lived close by? Picture is usually too beautiful for words. Swipe right and hot foot it to Instituto Cervantes for a quick Spanish lesson. Te amo. 5. The guy who is supposed to be seeing your friend Awkward. So he's gone on a few dates with her, he took her to Manchester House for a cocktail, technically they are seeing each other but his profile

Congratulations! You have navigated the minefield that is Manchester's Tinder and after some awkward messages, you've progressed to Whatsapp and then finally to the Tinder date.  Well done you. Now what? As much as we would like to say otherwise, Tinder dating, or any online dating is just not the same as meeting someone on a night out. Things are bound to be a bit more awkward. You are sober for one thing - or at least you should try to be at the start. The destination of any such date is a tricky one. Too formal and it might feel like a husband/wife audition. Too casual and you may as well have written 'looking for fun' on your profile, if you know what I mean? Here is a handy list of places that tread the fine line between 'Please love me, I don't want to die alone' and 'Your place or mine?'. El Capo NQ If they don't like tequila this might not be the place for them as it serves a ton of different types. The food is really good Mexican Cantina and the chicken wings are to die for. Staff are relaxed and the place has a really chilled out vibe which is perfect for when your date is boring you and you need to concentrate on your fourth shot of Petrone.  Gorilla At the top end of town, Gorilla's food is varied and delicious and the bar is pretty casual but you could always head upstairs for one of the many gigs on any evening of the week. Heads up - the wine often comes in a pint glass, so probably not one for the WAG wannabes. Alchemist New York Street Exactly the same as Alc

This year Manchester's Irish Festival celebrates its 20th year with a calendar of events packed with all the best the Emerald Isle has to offer. But if you end up having one too many pints of the black stuff, or get slightly carried away with your Michael Flatley impression, you may be in need of a helping hand. Here's a list of things you can do with your St Patrick's Day hangover that should get you feeling as fit as a fiddle in no time. 1. Brush up on your Irish history Want to find out more about Ireland's history? To celebrate St Patrick's Day, special items from Manchester's expensive Irish archives will be on display at Central Library. If you can peel yourself away from the festivities in Albert's Square, on the March 17 from 12pm-2pm archivists will be on hand at the library to explain the history of the treasures many of which date back to the 18th century. A great opportunity to pick up some Irish trivia to impress your friends with later in the night. 2. Food Glorious Food Get your munchies sorted and head to Waxy O'Connor's off Corporation Street for some traditional Irish grub. With a menu including an all day Irish breakfast and homemade Irish stew it will definitely take the edge off.  3. A spot of ruggers? The thought of physical exercise and a hangover the size of the Blarney Stone is enough to make anyone feel queasy. Luckily some people actually get paid to play rugby so we don't have to. Catch Scotland v Ireland in the Six Nations at Chorlton Irish Club o

This Sunday (March 8) is International Women's Day and this year's theme is Breaking Through, a tribute to those women who have achieved and continue to achieve incredible things in the face of adversity. From Moss Side's Emmeline Pankhurst to Manchester University's Marie Stopes, our favourite city boasts a long relationship with some of the most revolutionary and inspirational women throughout history. To celebrate this, and in honour of those women still fighting, the Manchester calendar is full to bursting with all things female. The full guide is available here, and here are some of the highlights. Don't worry guys, you are more than welcome too.   North West Uilleann PipersSaturday March 7 12 noon-4pm, Chorlton Irish Club.Learn how to play a jig with the best of Manchester's female musicians. Whether it is the fiddle you fancy or the pipes you prefer, workshops will help you master the craft just in time for St Patrick's Day. Chorlton Irish Club, High Lane, Chorlton. Free entry.   Basic Sound Engineering for WomenSaturday March 7 1-3pm, The Lesbian and Gay Foundation.If you fancy yourself as the next best thing in sound engineering, head to the LGF on Saturday to learn the basics about PA systems, DJ equipment, microphones, instruments and how to set them up. This free course aims to provide young women with a stepping stone to event management. Places are limited so book now. The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Richmond Street, The Village. Free entry.Breaking Through - W