Despite the fact that the older generation of gruff Yorkshiremen take sheer delight in describing the current weather conditions in York as ‘fresh’, the increasing number of ear-muffed and mittened students on campus is a testament to the icy winds and persistent rain that have been dogging the university’s usually bright and (not overly) breezy hillocks lately. Really, the only valid way of seeking solace from the unrelenting seasonal affliction of the outdoors is in a good old- fashioned hot toddy to warm your cockles and your icy hearts.

Once York’s only gay pub, the ex-Bay Horse, underwent a drastic transformation to become York’s “premier rock pub” four years ago. Located half way down Gillygate (54 Gillygate) and within 3 minute’s walk of King’s Manor, the pub is the only one in York dedicated to the alternative rock scene.

All but the most unobservant of this year’s freshers will be aware of Toto’s. It’s the pretty restaurant with the green trim on the corner of Fawcett Street. You’ll have passed it on your way in to town many a time, and, if you are lucky, you’ll have stopped off to get a bite to eat. Although the location is hardly the most glamorous in York, the result is a very reasonably priced, authentic, friendly and atmospheric place to eat.

Tucked snugly under the J.B. Morrell library and overlooking the rolling hill lies the small haven of Fresher’s Café. There’s something oddly alluring about Fresher’s. Perhaps it’s the painfully uncomfortable chairs, relentless icy wind coming through the windows that must remain open on pain of death, or the endless variety of food available: baguettes or jacket potatoes, and for those lucky vegetarians, cheese or egg!

As a ‘curryoholic’, I always enjoy trying a new curry house, but that enjoyment is also mixed with trepidation - will the curry be nice? Could I have got a better one from my usual “dealer”? I had heard good things about the Akash and decided to give it a try. One instant plus was that it didn’t have the standard Indian restaurant music tape stuck on a loop that most places in York seem to use.

James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover

This third single from the ridiculously sucessful Back to Bedlam album is a far less typical or commercially pleasing affair. More understated than previous releases from the record, its touching words are moulded around an achingly raw partnership between bare piano melody and Blunt’s distinctive vocals. Don’t expect this one to top the charts though - practically everyone in the country already owns this album, and the song is certainly not as accessible as ‘last dance of the school disco’ favourite, You’re Beautiful.

The return of The Strokes could not come at a better time. The backlash against ‘NME indie’ has begun and art rock has become as banal as its name promises.

It makes a nice change then to go back to how it all started: the angular guitars and thriftstore fashion sense that now seem ubiquitous were popularised by the emergence of Is This It in 2001.

After a hiatus of nearly twelve years, Kate Bush is back with a new double album and, considering the broadsheet hype surrounding Aerial, you’d think she had re-invented the wheel.

You might remember the sublime Lottery Winners on Acid, originally released around eighteen months ago now, which has become the Crimea’s most popular song. It was certainly popular with John Peel, who called it one of his favourites of the past few years.

For those among us who like their music hard, fast, nonconfirmist and unforgiving, Hypnotize could well be the album for you. Once again, the band manages to seamlessly mix political statement with ear splitting guitar, and often bizarre arrangements - with the explosive consequences which have now become their trademark (see album highlight Visions of Obscenity).

Director: Andrew Adamson
With: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes

Runtime: 140 mins

I have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to this big-screen outing of one of my childhood favourites. Having been slightly mystified by the success of a certain hobbit, I was afraid that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe would turn out to just be LOTR-lite, an easy opportunity to foist another hundredweight of filthy orcs upon us. It’s nice when a film surpasses your expectations.

Director: Mike Newell
With: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson

Runtime: 157 mins

Many Harry Potter fans consider Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to be the best book of the series so far. Therefore, despite the disappointing earlier films, an inordinate amount of hype has surrounded HP4. However, this feverish anticipation places an unenviable burden on Mike Newell, the latest director, to adapt the massive original tome to achieve universal satisfaction. It’s a daunting and wholly unrealistic task.

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
With: Karl Urban, Dwayne Johnson

Runtime: 100 min

Doom is exactly what we have come to expect from films derived from computer games: lots of guns, monsters and gloop. Here, there is that in abundance, but that is about it (and there isn’t even that much gloop!).

Kirran Shah & Amy Blackmore went to see York’s new gallery, The ArtSpace.

The ArtSpace opened three weeks ago, opposite Clifford’s Tower. Owners Greg McGee and Ails Denholm wished to create a space dedicated to Yorkshire art in all its forms. A small independent gallery, they hope it will help people reconsider the stereotype of art as an elitist activity.

‘He’s just not that into you’ – six words no girl likes to hear. Sex In The City writers Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo take a brutal approach; they think it’s time females yearning after disinterested men learn to recognise and acknowledge the signs given off by a guy who isn’t actually that interested.