A DATING service for people with learning disabilities which has introduced 15 couples and arranged more than 100 dates, is looking for funding to continue.

Mates ’n Dates was launched in October 2007, and now has almost 250 members across Oxfordshire.

Guideposts Trust, based in Witney, co-ordinates the service on behalf of Oxford Learning DisabilityPartnership Board, the Ridgeway Partnership and the charities Kingwood and Style Acre.

Mates ’n’ Dates co-ordinator Hannah Wolstenholme, 30, said: “We have chaperoned 68 dates so far this year, and many have led to further dates and even relationships. There are 15 couples we know of who have found love and many more who have made great friends, and that’s what it is all about.”

Mates ’n’ Dates recruits members, aged 18-80 through day centres, charities and word of mouth, and organises social events like barn dances, bi-monthly speed-dating and a ball. Nearly 80 people attended the last speed-dating event.

Russian culture has a long history and tradition and Russians are very proud of it.

Russians consider themselves as a well educated nation. They read a lot, books are cheap, and one can afford to buy 5-10 books a month without serious damage to a family budget.

Russians are also big fond of live performances at theatres and since tickets are affordable (prices in cinemas and theatres are comparable), they enjoy attending theatres: opera, musical, ballet, drama etc.

Usually every city has a few theatres. The theatre culture was developed during the Soviet times when tickets were sold through schools and enterprises: cities were divided into areas and there was a theatre agent responsible for each particular area. The agent would bring tickets for distribution to every enterprise and school in his area and the person responsible for "culture sector" would organize collective visit to the theatre. I think it was an excellent system since people had the opportunity to attend theatres from the early age, starting from attending performances in a Muppet theatre, then moving to the Youth Drama Theatre, then to Drama, Musical and Opera, according to their age. Also attending performances in a company is always much more fun, which contributed to the popularity of theatres. This is how most Russian people have developed their taste for live performances.

Movie theatres are also becoming popular in Russia and they are equipped with the latest sound systems. When Russian people talk about movie theatres, they will usually say "cinema"; if they talk about "theatres", they mean live performances.

You have probably received or sent roses at least once in your life. Besides the obvious "Someone has thought of me", what do roses say? Roses and their colors have different meanings. So before you send your next bouquet or after you have received one, you need to read this. Is there a secret message behind that delivery?

As most people may know, the traditional bouquet of red roses signifies love. But nowadays, depending on who you ask, red roses can be described as anything from a classic bouquet of flowers to original and boring. One thing is certain however, red roses remain the most popular of them all.

I am a big modern jazz and fusion fan..

And one of the groups that I literally worship is the Pat Metheny Group. I’ve seen this guy and his band play 6 times and every experience was just beyond incredible.

I remember the 3rd time I saw them.. UC Berkeley Greek Theater about 15 years ago. The energy was intense and the vibration of the music was completely pure and transcendental..

This was certainly one of those moments when one can say that they were having a Religious Experience..

The PMG’s signature song is a piece called the First Circle.

There is an age old stereotype that says that a Man should not get seriously involved with a Woman who already has children.

Although this is prevalent in both the US and Russia.. as with most things between these two countries we are dealing with VERY different things.

In the US both Men and Women will evaluate romantic partners along with the perceived “liabilities” that each one brings to the table from past relationships. The issue of children is first and foremost in both partners mind as it rightfully should be.

In the US and in the West the “impact” that a Woman’s children has on a relationship can range from significant to huge. This is primarily because there are far greater levels of expectation for the new partners to also take on added responsibilities for these children.

Gentlemen,

As you should know by now there is nothing more vile and disgusting to me is to see the term "Mail Order Brides", spreading over the Internet and in our own culture.

No Woman, by their country of origin deserves to be labeled as a cheap commodity to be traded or sold.

This is particularly true for Russian and CIS ladies that I have come to adore and respect with all my heart.

In my opinion, this term is much worse than any racist stain that can be directed at any group or nationality.

This should be obvious that any company that wishes to market itself using the "Mail Order Bride" Time is trying to draw a fraudulent and false picture of what is required for a successful marriage and family.

Our lovely Maria was kind enough to share some of the photos of his girlfriend with us.

I'm sure you'll enjoy them as I have.

During the Christmas and New Year in Russia, you can always see pictures of Santa Claus (or "Santa Claus" as it is called here), accompanied by a beautiful "Snow Maiden", which is supposed to be his granddaughter.

Maiden is depicted as a beautiful girl with long blond hair who enjoys the snow flakes that fall around her.

Well, it's always interesting to see how closely a fact can follow fiction.

And in the case of our beautiful Helena below, I think you can understand why ..

Patriarch Cyril piviotal religious figure in Russia, because it is one of the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church.

His words carry great weight, and I believe he is trying to approve a further important role that Russian women play in maintaining social and cultural life of this country without any changes.

I have been to different villages in Russian as he is, and I can also check the strength and resilience of these women in maintaining their households and communities together, despite the often overwhelming struggle and hardship.

I am very glad that he made the following statements and brought more attention to these everyday heroines.