One of the oldest women in the UK has said that cigarettes and alcohol are the secrets to a long life as she prepares to celebrate her 109th birthday.
Yorkshirewoman Minnie Liddle, who at 108 is the oldest woman in Doncaster and the seventh oldest in the UK, has credited a life full of cigarettes and brandy for helping her to reach such an impressive age.
The centenarian smoked for the majority of her life, only quitting at the tender age of 99, and still enoys a daily glass of brandy or Bailey's at Stainforth’s Oldfield House care home where she has lived for the past four years.
Only leaving her own home at aged 104, Minnie lived independently until recently and is now set to mark her next milestone this Sunday. Her own mother lived to 101.
It will see her close in on the title of oldest person in the UK. The title is currently held by Mary Walker, aged 112 - however Britain’s oldest person ever, Charlotte Hughes, made it to 115 before passing away in 1993.
According to the Yorkshire Post Minnie's granddaughter Joy Young reportedly said of her grandma on her birthday last year, “She lived in her own bungalow until she was 104 - and she only gave up smoking when she was 99, and she still loves a brandy."
She has lived through two pandemics, unlike most of her neighbours, and is one of the few people alive in her borough today who can still remember the Spanish flu, which first swept across the country in 1918.
She has also lived through two world wars, four different monarchs, and twenty one different prime ministers to date.
Originally brought up in Sunderland, Minnie lived there with her husband, Albert, until the 1960s when the family moved to Doncaster due to Albert's job.
She worked at the Barnes Hotel during the war whilst her husband was overseas in the army, he then worked as a stonemason making gravestones on his return before taking a job with warehouse retail firm Pearlmans.
It was this position that ultimately brought the family to Doncaster.
After Albert died in his early 60s, Minnie moved to Bentley. She now has two sons, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren.
This Sunday, staff will mark her 109th with a special celebration at Stainforth’s Oldfield House care home.
Feature image - Minnie Liddle
News
Plans for Leeds Kirkgate Market ‘container village’, STACK, take huge step forward
A planning application has been submitted for a ‘container village’ attraction at Leeds Kirkgate Market.
It was submitted today, Friday 27 March, by STACK Leisure - a company that already runs popular food, drink and entertainment hubs in Lincoln, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The proposed STACK Leeds venue would be a two-storey structure made up of repurposed shipping containers, located in Leeds Kirkgate Market’s outdoor trading area.
It would feature six bars, eight street food outlets, a coffee shop, a large stage for live entertainment and giant digital screens.
The development is expected to increase footfall and broaden the customer base across the market and would also benefit the wider city centre and its existing hospitality businesses.
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK Leisure, said: “We know from our previous experience that once STACK opens it brings huge economic benefits to the wider area.
“It will turn a spotlight on the Leeds Kirkgate Market area and bring in greatly increased footfall, not just to STACK Leeds but to both the indoor and outdoor market. One of the many reasons we are successful is because we offer something for everyone – we are family friendly, pet friendly and our entertainment programme is designed to have widespread appeal.
“It is important for us to become part of the local community and celebrate it, while supporting independent businesses at the same time. We firmly believe that STACK Leeds will be a huge asset to the city and we look forward to moving on with the scheme.”
Kikgate Market’s outdoor trading area currently has room for a total of 185 stalls, with around 85 of those being filled.
Should STACK Leeds secure planning approval, the number of pitches would be reduced and the freed-up space used as the location for the scheme.
Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
7th December 2021 
