Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Elvis impersonator raises £200,000 for Francis House

DJ and Elvis Impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an incredible £200k over 25 years by collecting at his performances

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ and Elvis Presley impersonator Jim Nicholas has raised an amazing £200,000 over 25 years for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Jim, who is a good friend of comedian Jimmy Cricket, has raised the funds by collecting at his performances.

Northern Irish funnyman Jimmy has also brought in a lot of money over the decades for the hospice.

Francis House is based in south Manchester.

Both entertainers feature in the latest edition of the charity’s newsletter (above).

‘Wonderful cause’

Jimmy, 74, tweeted: “Our thanks, (mine and Jim Nicholas), for the lovely article in the@FrancisHouseCH winter newsletter.

“It has been a pleasure working on behalf of your wonderful cause over the years!”

His pal Jim says in the newsletter: “From day one when I first went to Francis House and saw the families, I felt that I wanted to do everything I could for them.

“Without Francis House these families would be stuck.

“If I can entertain people and they enjoy what I’m doing, and if that helps in some small way, I’m happy to do it.”

Jim, who is from Swinton in Salford, Greater Manchester, is also the impresario behind Jimmy’s variety shows for Francis House.

The pair were introduced many years ago by Sister Aloysius and have remained close friends and showbiz partners ever since.

Christmas CD

The Stars Come Out for Francis House charity gala has taken place at the Oldham Coliseum eight times.

In addition, there are plans for an October 2020 performance.

A few years ago, Jimmy hit upon the idea of original Christmas numbers to sell at his shows with profits donated to Francis House.

The CD is Santa bring my wellies back to me.

The name of the CD relates to the theft several years ago of concrete wellington boots (below right).

‘Happy Christmas everyone!’

The late Sir Ken Dodd had given them to Rochdale-based Jimmy.

The wellies were given by Ken Dodd to Jimmy CricketJimmy said: “With Christmas ‘19 beckoning my goal is to reach 2,000 copies and that would mean we’ve raised £10,000 for Francis House.

“A big thank you to those of you who’ve bought one and a Happy Christmas everyone!”

Francis House said: “Help Jimmy reach his goal of selling 2,000 copies to raise £10,000!

“‘Santa Bring My Wellies Back To Me’ can be purchased for £5 plus £1.95 p&p from Francis House by calling 0161 443 2200.

“Or go to www.francishouse.org.uk/getinvolved/shop/online-shop/”

You can also buy the CD here at Jimmy’s own website.

And there’s more… there’s a special Christmas offer on at present from Jimmy!

Three December dates at the Lyndene Hotel 150 150 mhamer

Three December dates at the Lyndene Hotel

Jimmy Cricket has three dates at the Lyndene Hotel in DecemberJimmy Cricket is back at his favourite Blackpool hotel three times in December.

The famous entertainer has been doing regular shows at the Lyndene for the past few years.

Several acts usually perform twice per night, once each in different lounges at the hotel.

Jimmy is next there on Wednesday (11 December), a week later (18 December) and then for the last time this year on New Year’s Eve.

Superb entertainment

The Lyndene Hotel, perched on the seafront, is one of Blackpool’s unique venues as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

Its website says that it offers more than 141 fully equipped and tastefully decorated en suite bedrooms.

“The Lyndene Hotel offers superb compered entertainment EVERY NIGHT of the year,” it adds.

You can see all of Jimmy’s Lyndene dates for 2019 below.

Jimmy Cricket's Lyndene Hotel dates in 2019

Jimmy announced earlier this year that he is to spend a FIFTH season at the Lyndene Hotel.

See next year’s dates below and visit the hotel’s website here.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.

Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK , my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years

Christmas ‘jam’ night benefits Francis House 150 150 mhamer

Christmas ‘jam’ night benefits Francis House

Great night at the Christmas Jam night at St Vincent’s Parish Hall with Jonathan Young, Mrs C. and our friend Moureen, with help from Kath on tea’s and coffee’s and Pauline who organised the raffle for @FrancisHouseCH

One of Jimmy Cricket’s favourite charities benefited from the famous funnyman’s Christmas ‘jam’ night.

The event, hosted by the popular Northern Irish entertainer and his wife May Marion every couple of months, takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s parish centre in his home town of Rochdale.

It started about a decade ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines and is still going strong.

As a result, the famous entertainer has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

At every event,  there is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

Francis House Children’s Hospice, based in south Manchester, was the beneficiary of the Christmas ‘jam’ night on Tuesday (3 December).

Jonathan Young from The Bachelors, a great friend of Jimmy’s, also appeared at the event.

Jimmy, 74, tweeted: “Great night at the Christmas Jam night at St Vincent’s Parish Hall with Jonathan Young, Mrs C. and our friend Moureen.

“With help from Kath on tea’s and coffee’s and Pauline who organised the raffle for @FrancisHouseCH”

The popular entertainer has raised around half-a-million pounds for the Didsbury charity over the years.
That is thanks to countless touring shows and parish hall events over almost two decades.
Care, support and friendship
Francis House cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.
It provides a home from home where families can receive professional care, support and friendship.

The Rainbow Family Trust was set up in the early 1990s as a charity by Sister Aloysius and Father Thomas Mulheran.

They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short life expectancy.

Opened by Princess Diana

As a result, the seven-bedroom Francis House opened in November 1991, with Diana, Princess of Wales, officially doing the honours.

It was only the fifth children’s hospice built in the UK and the world.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Derby show is latest in busy Christmas schedule 150 150 mhamer

Derby show is latest in busy Christmas schedule

My thanks to organiser Steve at the Irish Club in Derby, it was great to catch up with the members and friends from my last few visits there to this wonderful city!
The Irish Club in Derby was the latest show during Jimmy Cricket’s busy Christmas season.

Saturday’s event was the fifth of 12 in just under five weeks for the well-known funnyman.

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed his show at the Irish Club in Derby during his busy Christmas season.
Jimmy, 74, tweeted: “My thanks to organiser Steve at the Irish Club in Derby.
“It was great to catch up with the members and friends from my last few visits there to this wonderful city!🎭“
His next destinations include Rochdale (3 December), Bolton-by-Bowland (6 December) and Blackburn (8 December), the latest a recent addition to the schedule.
And then on 11 December, Jimmy is back at his favourite Blackpool hotel.

The famous entertainer has been doing regular shows at the Lyndene for the past few years.

Several acts usually perform twice per night, once each in different lounges at the hotel.

Superb entertainment

The Lyndene Hotel, perched on the seafront, is one of Blackpool’s unique venues as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.

Its website says that it offers more than 141 fully equipped and tastefully decorated en suite bedrooms.

“The Lyndene Hotel offers superb compered entertainment EVERY NIGHT of the year,” it adds.

You can see the rest of Jimmy’s Lyndene dates for 2019 below.

Jimmy Cricket's Lyndene Hotel dates in 2019

Jimmy announced earlier this year that he is to spend a FIFTH season at the Lyndene Hotel.

See next year’s dates below and visit the hotel’s website here.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.

Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK , my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years

Christmas card features ‘naughty’ MPs and the Queen 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features ‘naughty’ MPs and the Queen

Jimmy Cricket has chosen a topical theme for his 2019 Christmas card – the way Westminster MPs have behaved over Brexit.

It shows Jimmy, 74, telling her majesty the Queen that all members of parliament are on the naughty list.

Tradition has it that Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) has two lists: the naughty list and the nice list.

He checks over his list twice. If you are nice you get presents. If you are naughty you get a lump of coal in your stocking.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly apologised to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruled his decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament earlier this year was unlawful.

British MPs of all parties have come under intense scrutiny – and been the subject of much criticism – following their failure to agree a Brexit deal.

In a 2016 UK referendum, a slim majority voted for the country to leave the European Union.

Customised

Brexit is at the heart of campaigning ahead of the general election on Thursday 12 December.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy has traditionally created his own customised Christmas card over the years.

It is based on a photograph that has represented in some way an event from the previous 12 months.

In 2012 he picked a picture of Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, which was one of the iconic images from the London Olympics.

The followed year, it was a photo associated with the theft of his concrete wellies, which was widely covered in the media.Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card features the Only Fools and Horses’ sketch staring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, plus special Comic Relief guest David Beckham

And his 2014 card (pictured right) featured a sketch which took place during that year’s Comic Relief event.

The card recalled the Only Fools and Horses charity scene starring regular cast members David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

In addition, it featured former England and Manchester United footballer David Beckham.

Famous entertainer Jimmy was included on the card as if part of the get-together and referenced his famous Mammy!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… 150 150 mhamer

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Jimmy Cricket @jimmy__cricket · 12h It’s Turkey and Tinsel time and looking a lot like Christmas at @LyndeneHotel tonight folks with their wonderful residents!
Jimmy Cricket helped to get the Christmas season well and truly up and running at his favourite Blackpool hotel.
The well-known comedian did his latest shows in the Lyndene at the Lancashire seaside resort on Wednesday (20 November).

The hotel is one of Blackpool’s unique locations as it welcomes tourists and visitors all year round.

After the summer and illuminations seasons end each year, it is straight into the Lyndene’s Christmas season with turkey and tinsel stays.

Jimmy Cricket @jimmy__cricket · 12h It’s Turkey and Tinsel time and looking a lot like Christmas at @LyndeneHotel tonight folks with their wonderful residents!

Jimmy, 74, put the photo montage above on social media.

 

He also tweeted: “It’s Turkey and Tinsel time and looking a lot like Christmas at @LyndeneHotel tonight folks with their wonderful residents!🎭”

Jimmy has been doing regular shows at the Lyndene Hotel for the past few years.

Several acts usually perform twice per night, once each in different lounges at the hotel.

You can see the rest of Jimmy’s Lyndene dates for 2019 below.

The Lyndene offers more than 141 fully equipped and tastefully decorated en suite bedrooms.

Its website says: “Our hotel offers three newly refurbished licensed bars and two magnificent air conditioned, sea view cabaret lounges.

“The Lyndene Hotel offers superb compered entertainment EVERY NIGHT of the year.”

Jimmy Cricket's Lyndene Hotel dates in 2019

Jimmy announced earlier this year that he is to spend a FIFTH season at the Lyndene Hotel.

See next year’s dates below and visit the hotel’s website here.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.

Returning to what has become my second home working alongside many talented singers and old friends like @MALFORDUK , my thanks goes to Claire @TowerTopEnts and @LyndeneHotel the Manager Paul, and all the Team members for their hospitality and support over the last four years

My chance meeting with ‘courageous’ BBC journalist 150 150 mhamer

My chance meeting with ‘courageous’ BBC journalist

Here is my November LEP column where I tell of my chance meeting with this wonderful courageous lady @OrlaGuerin in Manchester Airport on my way to New York this summer!

Jimmy Cricket has been recalling the moment he met a BBC TV news reporter on his way to catch a plane.

The famous entertainer was travelling to the United States to attend his daughter Jamie’s wedding earlier this year.

In his latest Lancashire Post column, Jimmy tells about his encounter with news presenter Orla Guerin.

He posted the image above and an accompanying comment on Twitter about his November column.

Jimmy said: “I tell of my chance meeting with this wonderful courageous lady @OrlaGuerin in Manchester Airport on my way to New York this summer!🎭”

Orla Guerin MBE is an Irish journalist currently working as a BBC International Correspondent based in Istanbul.

Jimmy says: “How many times have we looked at our television screens and heard those dulcet Irish tones calling out from some war-ravaged part of the globe?

“Shining a light on injustice, holding dictators to task and giving a platform to the oppressed and downtrodden?

‘Spoke with affection’

“Now here she was standing opposite me uttering these immortal words ‘what’s your surname again?’

“Yes readers, I was face to face with BBC correspondent Orla Guerrin. And she couldn’t have been nicer.

“We weren’t in a life-threatening situation now, although going through security at Manchester Airport can be quite stressful.

“Orla was a delight.

“She smiled and, after she’d retrieved her belongings from the security belt, Mrs Cricket took a photograph of the two of us.

“Then, later on in the airport lounge, we talked about comedy and the entertain industry.

“She spoke with affection about the entertainers from her hometown in Dublin that we both knew.

“Then she was off to Istanbul for another assignment and we were off to New York for our daughter Jamie’s wedding.”

Follow Orla on Twitter here