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Posing with Lottie the elephant! 150 150 mhamer

Posing with Lottie the elephant!
Jimmy Cricket and Lottie, Hospiscare's Lottery elephant

Jimmy Cricket poses with Lottie, Hospiscare's Lottery elephant

Jimmy Cricket recently lent his support to Hospiscare, a hospice charity in the West Country.

The famous Irish comedian posed with “Lottie”, the hospice’s Lottery elephant, at the Royal Beacon Hotel in Exmouth.

After the visit, Lottery Administrator Trisha Cox emailed Jimmy saying: “What an absolute pleasure it was to meet you and Mrs Cricket.

“Again, thank-you so very much – it really was very much appreciated.”

Hospicare’s teams of specialist nurses visit patients in their own homes, in hospitals and give 24-hour support in the ward at its hospice in Exeter.

In addition, Hospiscare has three Day Care centres, one each in Exeter, in Mid and in East Devon.

Their services are free of charge to everyone who needs them throughout our area.

They work with people with a wide range of life-threatening conditions, including cancer, Motor Neurone Disease and heart disease.
They recognise they cannot change a life-threatening diagnosis, but Hospiscare can help to change how their patients feel about it.

Hospicare says: “We know our patients’ time is precious. We use our expertise to allow families to spend time free from symptoms and worries. Hospiscare understands that patients want choice and dignity. We know that sometimes, the best thing we can do is listen.

“We look after the needs and wishes of the whole family and provide a wide range of services, therapies and people who can help.

“Our aim is to help people find peace of mind by taking away fear of the unknown, helping patients feel human and families feel normal.”

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser
Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Jimmy Cricket will be teaming up with other stars from the world of showbusiness in October to raise money for charity.

The legendary Irish comedian will be performing in the “Stars Come Out” show at the Oldham Coliseum as a fundraiser for the Francis House Hospice.

Also appearing will be The Krankies – very good friends of Jimmy’s – and 1960s Merseybeat band Swinging Blue Jeans.

The show will now be on October 10 and 11 after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

Jimmy says: “It will be a very special show as it is not often that you find The Krankies, myself and the Swinging Blue Jeans in town and all on the same bill.

“The Francis House Children’s Hospice is a wonderful place where a lot of support and care is provided.”

Tickets are £15, with concessions £12, and are available from the box office on 0161 624 2829 or by going to the Coliseum’s website

Starring in a charity gala 150 150 mhamer

Starring in a charity gala

Carnival of Dreams posterJimmy Cricket is among the entertainers appearing in a charity gala in support of Donna’s Dream House at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool.

Carnival of Dreams will also feature Gareth Gates, Denise Nolan, Irish international singing star Rose-Marie, JK as Robbie Williams, International comedy entertainer Kenny Cantor, Aimi MacDonald, Sue Devaney (BBC’s Dinnerladies), International female impersonator Ceri Dupree, Scott Wright (Coronation Street) and the cast of Blackpool’s rock and roller coaster musical Booze Birds & Blackpool Rock, Top UK & World Elvis impersonator Martin Fox, Jamie Pugh from Britain’s Got Talent, Comical singing ventriloquist Kieran Powell, Shani Cantor, Leo Jones Star of TV’s Airline, Scottish Champions Craig Paton on the accordion and Andy Kain on the fiddle, Fylde Scottish Country Dancers, Barry Haywood, Iain Matley, and Blackpool’s very own Funny Girls, Langley Dance Centre, Mary Whelan School of Irish Dancing, Blackpool Circus School and Greater Manchester Pipe Band.

It takes place on Sunday, August 7 – full details in Jimmy’s events calendar and view the full gala poster here.

Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy
Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth.

Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth

Comedian Jimmy Cricket provided a welly-full of laughs for residents, staff and neighbours from Roeacre Court sheltered housing scheme in Heywood to celebrate 25 years since the project started.

The Irish comedian, who lives in Rochdale, was the star turn at the celebration attended by a host of special guests including Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Alan Godson, Jim Dobbin MP, councillors Peter Rush and Colin Lambert, plus Carol Matthews, Chief Executive of Guinness Northern Counties, the housing association which owns the scheme.

Champagne and chocolates were presented to 96-year-old William Royle, along with his favourite tipple, a bottle of Navy Rum, for being the longest serving resident of Roeacre Court. Mr Royle has lived at the scheme since it first opened. Scheme Manager Stella Watson has also been at Roeacre court for all of its 25 years.

A buffet and champagne toast were provided for guests on Saturday July 16, with music played by the Whitworth Brass Band. The entertainment continued into the evening with a belly dancer and a DJ before Jimmy Cricket took to the floor.

Carol Matthews said: “It’s tremendous to be at Roeacre Court to celebrate 25 years of an excellent scheme with a fantastic community. This is in no small part due to the care and attention the residents and scheme gets from Stella Watson, an inspirational colleague who has been with us and the scheme since opening day.

“I’m also delighted to have the honour of presenting a token to Mr Royle who is 96 years young and has also been with us for each and every one of those 25 years. This scheme has, and still is, a great asset to the community and I’m very proud to play a very small part in the day.”

The scheme is home to 36 residents with care services provided by Guinness Care and Support.

* See more pictures from this event in the photo gallery on this website

Jimmy returns to Darlington for panto – 21 years after his last appearance! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy returns to Darlington for panto – 21 years after his last appearance!

Jimmy Cricket in panto costume

Jimmy Cricket will be appearing in the Darlington Civic Theatre’s pantomime at Christmas in a version of Cinderella.

This winter seasonal offering will feature Jimmy alongside “Dancing with Ice” sensation Ray Quinn and Deena Payne – who appeared on “Emmerdale” for 18 years.

Interestingly, this will be quite a return for Jimmy to Darlington. The last time he appeared in the Theatre’s Pantomime was 21 years ago and ironically it was also a version of Cinderella! Back then in 1990 he played the role of Buttons, although this year he is lined up for the part of Baron Hardup.

“That 1990 pantomime season was a real hoot!” says Jimmy. “The Chuckle Brothers were playing the part of the Brokers Men.”

Jimmy added: “Inbetween shows Barry Chuckle and I would go across to Crombies restaurant to have something to eat and Barry would pick up a salt cellar and say ‘to you, to me’ and have me in hysterics!”

Jimmy is thrilled to not only be back in Darlington and working with such a wonderful cast, he is also really pleased to be back working for QDOS Pantomimes. This is a company Jimmy believes puts enchantment into every single production that they do.

‘Lovely show – please come again’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Lovely show – please come again’

Tables laid out for Jimmy's show at the Kidderminster Rotary Club at the Ramada

Jimmy Cricket did a show for the Kidderminster Rotary Club at the Ramada Hotel in Bewdley, Worcestershire, this week.

And Jimmy received a very nice email afterwards from Bill Crook of the Rotary.

Bill said: “Thank-you for a lovely evening. We all enjoyed your lovely show – please come again.

“It is refreshing that we didn’t hear a smutty joke. Well done.”

* Look in Jimmy’s photo gallery (on the right of each page on the site apart from the homepage) to see more pics from this event

Invited to help the Street Angels 150 150 mhamer

Invited to help the Street Angels
Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket has had a nice invite to do some fund-raising shows for a Halifax-based charity which does some great work for those in need on the streets of the West Yorkshire town.

Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Street Angels, sent Jimmy an email after we met recently at the Overgate Hospice’s summer garden party.

He said: “Street Angels was founded by myself in November 2005 in Halifax and has since spread to around 100 towns and cities across the UK.

“We work mainly within the nighttime economy helping those who are or who may become vulnerable – including elderly people leaving the theatre, homeless, those who have had too much to drink, etc…

“As the success of Street Angels grew we developed the CNI Network which helps new towns to start up, offers help and resources, speaks at a national level to Government, Police, etc about the nighttime economy. We have also launched other ideas around community action, including Love Your Streets.

“It would be great if Jimmy would do some concerts for us as fundraising events! One event we started planning last week is a Garden Party in Bedford on Wednesday 26th October – mid to late afternoon with afternoon tea and keynote entertainment. Then maybe a similar event/evening in Halifax for our Northern supporters in November.”