SPEED dating is hitting Huddersfield!

In our parents' day, "excuse me" dances were the way to woo a prospective partner.

At school discos, the phrase "My mate fancies you" was the less romantic approach.

TV programmes have for some time played Cupid - with Davina McCall scouring the streets matching up couples for Street Mate, and the queen of the matchmakers, Cilla Black, has seen dates lead to marriage in Blind Date.

Now, it seems, we want immediate results. With this new phenomenon, couples are given just three minutes in which to impress each other.

TV soap Emmerdale even touched on speed dating recently, with unlucky in love vicar Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) seeking a new soulmate.

The woman bringing speed dating to Huddersfield is Sonia Critchlow, a married mother- of-two, from Shepley.

She has launched a company, Decision Dating, and will be introducing the first group of people looking for love this month.

She has split the dates into age categories. The first, for 34 to 45-year-olds, will be on Wednesday, September 17, at Abrahams bar, Westgate, Huddersfield.

Wednesday, September 24, will be reserved for 29 to 40-year-olds, Wednesday, October 1, for 24 to 35-year-olds and October 8 for those aged 45 and over.

Sonia said: "I was looking at setting up an internet dating business, but then saw a feature about speed dating on TV about eight months ago. It just popped back into my head again recently.

"My sister also give me the idea for setting up this business, as her husband left her and she was finding it really difficult meeting someone else in a safe environment."

Anyone who is interested in taking part has to pay a fee of £20 and must be single or separated.

"They should arrive at the bar about 7.30pm and can mingle with each other for a while, " said Sonia.

"At 8pm all the ladies are seated at separate tables and one man is seated opposite each lady. They can then chat for three minutes.

"They are all given a card on which there are three options. They can tick one box marking either Date, Friends or No.

"At the end of the evening I will compare all the responses on the cards. If a couple both tick Date, I will forward their first name and phone number or e-mail address after the event.

"The rest is up to them!

"But even if they do not find their ideal match it is still a great way of making new friends and meeting people in a similar situation," she added.

To register, phone Sonia on 01484 607288 or e-mail to www.decisiondating.com

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