Leeds cafe owner nominated for ITV’s Woman of the Year award
Maureen runs a popular takeaway in Harehills and during lockdown sent out food packages to her neighbours for free, feeding anyone who needed it. Now, she's being recognised with an award
A popular cafe owner from Leeds has been nominated for the Woman of the Year kindness award on ITV show Lorraine.
Maureen Wilkes, who runs the popular Afro-Caribbean restaurant Maureen's Caribbean Takeaway on Roundhay Road, has been nominated for her incredible work feeding the community during the Covid lockdown.
The 63-year-old acted selflessly during the height of the pandemic, feeding others in her local community and sending out packages to neighbours for free, feeding anyone who needed it - including local key workers, emergency service staff, nurses and doctors.
Now she's been recognised with the nomination, having been put forward for the award by her three very proud daughters.
Image: ITV
On Monday morning a reporter from the show surprised Maureen at her shop with the news, live on air, whilst members of the community and her family waited outside around the back.
Maureen herself had no idea they were coming and was incredibly emotional whilst being interviewed.
Now she is due to travel down from Harehills to London to attend the awards ceremony.
Speaking to the YEP, Maureen said: ""I have been feeding people for years, I just thought 'let me do something'."
She was reportedly grinning "from ear to ear" when she received the surprised visit from ITV's reporter - and shed a few tears too after being taken by complete surprise.
Maureen is now looking forward to visiting London for the ITV awards ceremony.
Feature image - ITV
Leeds
You can watch The Traitors finale on a massive screen in Leeds next Friday
The finale of The Celebrity Traitors is hitting our TV screens next Friday, and there’s a big screening party happening in Leeds especially for it.
Don't panic guys, it's happening.
Fancy sitting down to watch one of the cultural events of the year on a big screen with dozens of others who are just as invested in the show as you are? Well, now you can.
And that’s because Belgrave Music Hall, one of the city’s most beloved event spaces and bars, will be hosting a finale watching party and we’re all invited.
Taking place next Friday 23 January, fans of The Traitors are invited to watch the finale which kicks off 9pm in the canteen.
Best part? The tickets are absolutely free and we've no doubt there'll be some banging drink deals on to get the party started.
We’re already searching our wardrobes for an item of clothing that remotely resembles a cloak.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Belgrave said: "The world famous Traitors finale screening is back at Belgrave! In the past we've been graced with the presence of OG Faithful @theomayne1, plus our Clauds has been known to make an appearance (please scroll for evidence)... twists and turns are promised 👀"
So to give this series of The Traitors a proper send off, get yourself to Belgrave Music Hall from 6pm and enjoy a few beverages with like minded fans whilst screaming at the screen as Claudia makes her way into the frame.
Whilst we're on the topic, has anyone got an incredibly glossy black fringed wig we could borrow?
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires have announced a huge gig in Halifax
Daisy Jackson
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Yorkshire gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed with an arena tour back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with a show at the iconic Piece Hall in Halifax on 22 August.
They’ll be supported by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
