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
Leeds City Council to discuss five-year plan to help support the future of Kirkgate Market
Senior councillors will next week be asked to approve a five-year strategy designed to guide Leeds Kirkgate Market successfully.
The council’s previous strategy for the historic market covered the period 2021 to 2026 and helped deliver impressive results, including increased footfall, a diverse and vibrant range of new businesses and a multi-million pound refurbishment of the site’s historic ‘blockshops' area.
Plans have now been revealed that aim to maintain the beloved site and keep it on its currant upwards trajectory between 2026 and 2031.
The plan sets out a vision for the market’s continued success as an inclusive, attractive and sustainable place where independent retailers can thrive.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Key points to achieve this include:
The construction – subject to planning approval – of STACK Leeds, a ‘container-style’ food, drink and entertainment attraction proposed for part of the market’s outdoor trading area;
The development, subject to final approval once full costings have been secured and assessed, of a hotel and council-run public gym on the George Street side of the market;
The continuation and enhancement of the market’s free events programme for children and families, which has become an important driver of footfall – particularly during school holidays – and underlines its proud reputation as a place that caters for the Leeds community as a whole;
Committing appropriate funds to the upkeep and maintenance of the Grade I listed market building;
Widening the digital ‘reach’ of the market by further growing its already-strong following across various social media platforms while also helping traders raise their own online profiles.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader, said: “Leeds Kirkgate Market is a hugely important part of local life and it’s a real source of pride that we, as a council, have been able to support it so strongly over the last five years through a mix of investment and innovative thinking.
“Recovery from the effects of the pandemic has not been easy, but today the market is in good shape and ready to face the future with confidence. We know, though, that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and this new five-year strategy contains much to be excited about.
“My thanks to everyone at the market who took part in the consultation activity, it has played a vital role in the development of the strategy. Your support – and indeed the hard work and dedication that we see from traders and staff week in, week out – will help us ensure that Leeds Kirkgate Market continues to go from strength to strength.”
A huge bowling alley and games bar is coming to Trinity Leeds
Daisy Jackson
Lane7, a bowling and gaming bar, is opening a massive new venue in the heart of Leeds city centre.
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
There'll also be retro arcade games to make it a vibrant destination for your next night out.
Signs have already gone up at Trinity Leeds on Albion Street, ahead of Lane7's arrival into the city centre.
It's set to take over the huge site that was formerly home to Wilko.
Gavin Hughes, managing director at Lane7, said: "It's no secret that we've been itching to bring Lane7 to Leeds for some time, and we're thrilled to have found a venue in Trinity Leeds that we know our guests will love.
"Everyone knows Leeds is one of the UK's great nights out, and Lane7 is a venue where you can have all your best nights in one. It's the perfect match. We can't wait to get the doors open."
Lane7 is opening at Trinity Leeds. Credit: SuppliedLane7 is opening at Trinity Leeds. Credit: Supplied
Steven Foster, centre director at Trinity Leeds, said: "The arrival of Lane7 this spring marks a fantastic addition to Trinity Leeds and represents exactly the kind of dynamic, experience-led brand we are proud to offer our visitors.
"Its unique entertainment concept brings an exciting new dimension to our leisure offering, enhancing the experiences available at the centre.
"This announcement follows a wave of big names set to open at Trinity Leeds, including Footasylum, schuh and Freight Island, alongside LEGO’s upsized store, highlighting our continued success in evolving and strengthening the centre’s overall offering.
"Welcoming Lane7’s to Leeds reinforces our position as a leading destination for innovative, social and experiential brands, and we’re confident it will be a huge hit with our visitors."
Georgina Pellant -
7th December 2021 
