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New heritage centre and tea rooms open 150 150 mhamer

New heritage centre and tea rooms open
The redecorated tea room at the visitor centre

The redecorated tea rooms at the visitor centre

Jimmy Cricket recently attended the press launch of the new Healey Dell Heritage centre and tea rooms near to where he lives in Rochdale.

The famous Irish entertainer was invited to the opening event by Janice Percy, who had teamed up with a friend to save the centre when she heard Rochdale Council no longer wanted to keep it open.

Jimmy with Lorraine, one of the centre’s volunteers

Jimmy with Lorraine, one of the centre’s volunteers

Jimmy did not need to think twice about going because when he is not working he often goes walking in Healey Dell, as he lives on the edge of this nature reserve.

Last December Janice and her partnership took on the lease of the building and set about raising around £25,000 for its refurbishment.

She also started to look for volunteers who would help the project get off the ground.

Janice and her team have now revived the old building and have created the following:

The exterior of the building - the fairy is there in preparation for the children’s Easter activities!

Outside the centre – the fairy is there in preparation for the children’s Easter activities!

  • A heritage room – An all-year-round exhibition dedicated to the rich heritage of the nature reserve
  • Dedicated gallery space to showcase the work of local artists and photographers
  • A vintage style tea room featuring a baby grand piano and six sparkling crystal chandeliers where visitors will enjoy traditional cream teas served from vintage bone china
  • Newly converted disabled facilities/wheelchair access and disabled toilet and washroom

The centre reopened on the Thursday before the Easter weekend and  the tea rooms will now open every Saturday and Sunday over the summer season. The centre is run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

Jimmy with the Rochdale-based actor Colin Meredith, who recently appeared on Coronation Street

Jimmy with the Rochdale-based actor Colin Meredith, who recently appeared on Coronation Street

Celebrating 10 years of magic market 150 150 mhamer

Celebrating 10 years of magic market

Jimmy Cricket at the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of Heywood Market HallComedian Jimmy Cricket went along to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of Heywood Market Hall – also known as Heywood Magic Market.

Jimmy Cricket at the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of Heywood Market Hall

A celebratory event was organised to mark what has been a  tremendous success story for the market, as it was forced to close at the end of the 1990s, but reopened in 2003.

Jimmy said: “It was relaunched as a co-operative venture, with local market traders having a stake in the management of the market – and it has not looked back!”

The famous entertainer was invited along by his good friend Peter Rush, who is a councillor on Rochdale Council and who will be the local mayor from May of this year.

* The pictures show Jimmy having a great time at the event.

Jimmy Cricket at the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of Heywood Market Hall

Back to the 80s in aid of charity 150 150 mhamer

Back to the 80s in aid of charity

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose DayIrish entertainer Jimmy Cricket went back to the 1980s as he joined in with a rendition of A-ha’s Take on Me – all in aid of Comic Relief.

The Rochdale-based comedian teamed up with the Littleborough Rock Choir on Red Nose Day (15 March) for their special fancy dress rehearsal.

He also sang John Farnham’s You’re the Voice – another 80s hit – with the choir.

The evening raised around £70 and choir master Phil Reynolds was thrilled that as well as joining in with rehearsals, Jimmy also performed one of his own songs called The lady From My Sat Nav.

His local newspaper, the Rochdale Observer, ran an account of local Red Nose Day activities, with Jimmy featuring in two out of the four photos (above and below)!

* Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

The Rochdale Observer's coverage of Red Nose Day

‘Best Irish comedy act you will ever see’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Best Irish comedy act you will ever see’

Jimmy Cricket has been described as “Ken Dodd, Tommy Cooper and Les Dawson all rolled into one”.

Jimmy Cricket performs at Boothys in Mansfield on Friday 5 April

The famous comedian appears on a night of laughter and music at Boothys in Mansfield on Friday 5 April, with organiser Gerry Molumby insisting: “He is the best Irish comedy act you will ever see.”

Acushla will provide the music, while one or two local acts may also perform on the night.

The show begins at 8pm and tickets are £8, available from Boothys or, if there are any left, on the door on the night.

Boothys’ address is 2 West Hill Drive, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Postcode is NG18 1PJ and telephone number 01623 623729.

It’s William Caulfield, So It Is 150 150 mhamer

It’s William Caulfield, So It Is

Jimmy and Fiona in front ofl the legendary Europa Hotel Jimmy Cricket was stopped for a photograph as he walked near the legendary Europa Hotel in his birth city of Belfast.

The famous comedian, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, was on Queen Victoria  Street in Belfast when he was asked for a picture with Fiona Burt (above) who then quickly put it on Facebook.

Jimmy was in Belfast to take part in the radio show, It’s William Caulfield, So It Is, for BBC Radio Ulster which stars local North Ireland comedian William Caulfield.

The show will be broadcast in April and while Jimmy was out and about in central Belfast – not too far away from the studio – he was grabbed by Fiona for this photo.

Jimmy said: “It was a real thrill to appear on William’s programme as I have followed his career over the years.

“The show was recorded in front of a live studio audience at Blackstaff House and I wish William and the production team all the best with the remaining episodes of the series.”

More details on William can be found at http://www.williamcaulfield.co.uk

Working with Shane Richie 30 years ago 150 150 mhamer

Working with Shane Richie 30 years ago

Jimmy Cricket and the band at Pontins on the Isle of WightJimmy Cricket was recently reminded of the days when he worked at a Pontins holiday village where fellow TV star Shane Richie was the entertainments manager!

Terri Gardner, who worked with Jimmy in the early 1980s, sent the photo above via a Facebook message.

The picture features Terri and her partner, Ron, and the rest of their band alongside Jimmy at the Pontins holiday village called Little Canada on the Isle of Wight back in 1983.

Jimmy said: “Actually the band worked with me a few times that year and the really interesting fact associated with this holiday village during the same year was that the entertainments manager was none other than Shane Richie!”

Richie is an English actor, comedian, singer and media personality, well-known for his portrayal of the character Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.

Wearing a red nose for great cause 150 150 mhamer

Wearing a red nose for great cause

Jimmy Cricket with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor

Jimmy Cricket is urging everyone to contribute to Comic Relief on Red Nose Day.

The famous Irish comic was at the studios of BBC Radio Ulster recently helping to promote the big fund-raising event which takes place on Friday (15 March).

Comic Relief is a major UK charity set up in 1985 which strives to create a just world free from poverty, raising awareness and money through activities based around entertainment. its two big fundraising campaigns being Red Nose Day and Sport Relief.

Belfast-born Jimmy popped over to have a chat with Gerry on his Saturday show on BBC Radio Ulster while he was on tour in Northern Ireland with a show featuring popular showband Clubsound.Jimmy Cricket sporting red nose at BBC Radio Ulster to help promote Comic Relief

The entertainer will again perform with Clubsound on the second leg of the tour, which is being promoted by Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment promotions Company, David Hull Promotions, from 18 to 20 April.

Jimmy said: “I encourage everyone to donate to Comic Relief and hope everyone will enjoy whatever fundraising activities they are involved with for this great cause!”

He is pictured above with BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Kelly and another of the show’s guests – Michelle Major, a laughter yoga instructor.