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‘Promising a night of belly laughs’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Promising a night of belly laughs’
The feature in the North Wales Daily Post by freelance journalist Samuel Evans

The North Wales Daily Post feature by journalist Samuel Evans

A “journey back across the years” awaits Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket on 8 June.

The famous funnyman is appearing at Towyn’s Morton Arms in North Wales next Friday in a show organised by local entertainment entrepreneur Darren Howells.

To mark the event, a feature has been written in the North Wales Daily Post by freelance journalist Samuel Evans.

The story begins…

Jimmy Cricket, renowned for his funny hat, his wellies on the wrong feet and of course letters from his Mammy, is packing his bags ready for a trip to North Wales this summer and a journey back across the years.

“The times might have changed since the 80s but I have embraced everything into my act,” he said. “What you get now is the Jimmy Cricket take on things, and of course I’ll have a letter from my Mammy.”

Full of his favourite material, Jimmy is promising a night of belly laughs when he takes the mic at Towyn’s Morton Arms in June.

Read the full article here

Enjoying the vintage times 150 150 mhamer

Enjoying the vintage times

Jimmy Cricket and Karl of the Vintage Corporation BandIt was vintage stuff in more ways than one when veteran comedian Jimmy Cricket performed in Maidstone last Saturday.

The famous Irish comedian appeared on stage with the magnificent and very accomplished Vintage Corporation band whose members all come from the Kent region.

Jimmy was also on stage with the band last autumn at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Folkestone. This time it was the Hazlitt Arts Centre in Maidstone.Poster for the show involving Jimmy Cricket and the Vintage Corporation Band

The band, who recreate the sounds of the 60s and 70s, have worked with many comedians, including  Tom O’Connor, Mick Miller, Roy Walker and the Grumbleweeds.

The photo at the top of this page is of Jimmy with Karl, the lead singer of the Vintage Corporation Band.

Jimmy had just returned backstage from his usual mad dash to the theatre’s foyer to sell copies of his DVD when Karl bumped into him – which is why he is carrying a box in the photo!

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench? 150 150 mhamer

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench?

Jimmy Cricket sleeping on park bench to raise awareness about the homelessFamous comedian Jimmy Cricket has been pictured sleeping on a park bench as part of a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness.

The Rochdale-based funnyman wanted to support the local ‘Chill-Out’ campaign in the town.

The Chill-out group has been concerned about cuts by the Labour-led council which would have see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to around 160 and plan their own mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall.

Those cuts would also see the introduction of a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.

The Chill-Out group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour, plus others including concerned members of the public and medical staff.

Its protest was set for Tuesday 29 May to coincide with Rochdale Council’s cabinet meeting with the intention to raise the profile of the issue through peaceful action. Supporters of the campaign were due to meet outside the Town Hall and sleep overnight in tents to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Jimmy read an article in the local Rochdale Observer and thought the ‘sleep-out’ was a great idea.

Unfortunately, it clashes with his summer season at Eastbourne, but he still wanted to show his support so he decided to get a photo of himself sleeping on a park bench in the middle of Rochdale Town Centre!

The night before these photos were taken, Rochdale Council made a number of concessions in relationto its homeless policy in response to the ‘Chill-Out’ campaign.

These pictures are now going to be used for a slightly different purpose because instead of raising awareness, they are now going to be used to highlight this change in approach from Rochdale Council.

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Night out in Barnsley 150 150 mhamer

Night out in Barnsley

Jimmy Cricket and The FantasticsEchoes of a show a few years ago in south Yorkshire reached famous comedian Jimmy Cricket recently.

Two  photographs were posted on social networking website Facebook of a gig in which Jimmy performed in Barnsley.

One of the pictures is of Jimmy with a guy called Dick and the other with a band called ‘The Fantastics’ who were a support act during the evening.

The photos were posted on Facebook by Neil D’Angelo who wrote: “Private function at shafton village club 2008 Barnsley……. Was a great night I recall.”

One of the photos from Facebook

Up and running in Eastbourne 150 150 mhamer

Up and running in Eastbourne

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Eastbourne Herald

Here are two articles marking Jimmy Cricket’s arrival for his summer show in Eastbourne.

The Belfast-born comedian is appearing in a variety show, Sentimental Journey, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.

Also appearing are fellow comedians Barry Moon and Mike Lee, world-renowned tribute acts Colin Gold and Tracy Lea – who perform as Billy Fury and Connie Francis respectively – and the Show Time Dancers.

The article above is from the Eastbourne Herald on 27 April and below from the Sussex Express (same date).

Article about Jimmy Cricket from the Sussex Express

Famous singer remembered 150 150 mhamer

Famous singer remembered

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

Jimmy Cricket has starred in a charity show organised by a society set up in memory of a 1950s singing star.

The Irish entertainer appeared at the Palace Theatre in Mansfield in a matinee performance which also featured his good friend, magician Freddie Wilkinson.

Also on the show, staged by Jeff Kemp and Vernon Brand who are lead members of the David Whitfield Commemorative Society, was an excellent young singer called Rhiannon and the Johnny Pat Band featuring – as well as Johnny – Terry Bell, Garry Gillyatt and Dave Harvey.

David Whitfield magazine

The society has adopted the Marie Curie Cancer Care organisation as its charity for all fund-raising and a collection was taken at the show.

In the photos with Jimmy are Vernon, Jeff, Betty and Helen.

Hull-born David Whitfield began his singing career in the city’s working men’s clubs after being de-mobbed from the Royal Navy in 1950 and found fame after taking part in talent programme, Opportunity Knocks, on Radio Luxembourg.

He had a number of songs that topped the charts in the UK and US, including Answer Me, I Believe and Cara Mia.

Whitfield, whose label was Decca Records, was the first male singer to receive a gold disc for one million record sales and the first British artist to enter the US top 10 chart.

The singer died in 1980 at the age of 53, while touring in Australia.

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the Mansfield Palace Theatre

Car’s a write-off – but show must go on! 150 150 mhamer

Car’s a write-off – but show must go on!
Jimmy Cricket's car was damaged by a falling tree

Jimmy Cricket's car was written off after being badly damaged by a falling tree

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket suffered more than just a bit of car trouble only 48 hours before he was due to begin his summer show in Eastbourne.

The vehicle which he and his wife May use for travelling to entertainment venues all over the UK was extensively damaged during bad weather near their home in Rochdale.

“We had a good opening night in Eastbourne, although two days before on the Sunday heavy winds brought a tree down on top of our car which was parked outside the house on the edge of Healey Dell Nature Reserve,” said Jimmy.

“It was a write-off and since then we’ve been driving around in hired cars. Thank God we weren’t in it.”

Jimmy Cricket is starring in a “royal” variety show in Eastbourne to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

Sentimental Journey is on at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.