Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

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

Variety of venues during busy run up to Christmas 150 150 mhamer

Variety of venues during busy run up to Christmas

Jimmy Cricket has a busy schedule at a variety of venues up until ChristmasCommunity halls, Irish centres and a seaside hotel are among the venues for Jimmy Cricket’s next shows.

The famous entertainer will appear at a wide variety of settings between now and Christmas.

Comic Jimmy, 74, begins a hectic run of 10 shows in under five weeks at St Cuthbert’s Community Hall in Burnley tomorrow (16 November).

He then performs on Wednesday (20 November) at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool.

Irish Centres in Derby and Leeds are also on the schedule.

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

Remembrance Sunday musical – my thanks to all 150 150 mhamer

Remembrance Sunday musical – my thanks to all

My immense gratitude to all the cast, Jonathan Young, Sue Devaney, @AndrewJBoyer and Musical Director Steve Warburton and the Holy Family R.C. Primary School Choir! Also my thanks to Billy the Mayor and his lovely wife Lynn, and his staff, Dorothy and Naz for all their support

Jimmy Cricket expressed his gratitude to everybody involved following the staging of his war hero musical on Remembrance Sunday.

Let’s hear it for the wee man was performed at Rochdale Town Hall in aid of charity.
It told the story of Northern Ireland’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross, the courageous submariner James Magennis.

Jimmy, 74, tweeted afterwards: “My immense gratitude to all the cast, Jonathan Young, Sue Devaney, @AndrewJBoyer and Musical Director Steve Warburton and the Holy Family R.C. Primary School Choir!

“Also my thanks to Billy the Mayor and his lovely wife Lynn, and his staff, Dorothy and Naz for all their support🎭”

Faced grave danger

James Magennis who joined the Royal Navy aged 15. He won the UK’s highest military honour for his bravery onboard a midget sub that attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao on 31 July 1945.

His job was to attach six mines to the enemy vessel in the risky covert operation in Singapore Harbour.

Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

However, he ran into difficulties and faced grave danger.

But he persisted with the mission before returning to the sub exhausted.

King George VI recognised his heroics by awarding him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.

Magennis continued his service until 1949 when he returned home with his wife Edna Skidmore and their four sons.

In 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC medal.

However, an anonymous benefactor later returned it to him on the condition he did not sell it again.

Blue plaque

Magennis spent the rest of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician before dying of cancer in 1986 aged 66.

His heroics were commemorated in 2018 with a special blue plaque in his honour.

Belfast-born Jimmy wrote both the words and the music for the play.

It also featured actor Charles Lawson, actress and singer Sue Devaney and comedian Jimmy himself.

Read more about the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal here.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
War hero musical has a new lead character 150 150 mhamer

War hero musical has a new lead character

The musical will be performed on Remembrance SundayThe musical by Jimmy Cricket about a war hero has a new lead character for Sunday’s show at Rochdale Town Hall.

Let’s hear it for the wee man will be performed in aid of the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal.
It is about Northern Ireland’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross and tells the courageous story of submariner James Magennis.
US-born musician and singer Andrew J Boyer has replaced actor Nick Newbould in the lead role.
Andrew J Boyer will play war hero Jim Magennis in Jimmy Cricket's musical at Rochdale Town Hall on Remembrance SundayAndrew (pictured left) is a 24-year-old piano-vocalist from Dallas in Texas who just moved to Manchester.
He has been a performer for almost a decade now, and sings and plays piano from time to time on cruise ships.
Andrew tweeted: “It’s a bit of a detour from my usual piano-bar routine, but.. This Sunday at 4pm, I’ll be filling in for Nick Newbould, and playing the lead character in Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket’s musical/play: ‘Let’s Hear It For The Wee Man’. 🎶
“I’ll be sharing… ift.tt/34FRZWS!”
Jimmy posted on Twitter: “I would like to thank that fine singer and piano player from Texas Andrew J Boyer for stepping in at the 11th hour to play the part of Jim Magennis in my Remembrance day Concert at the Rochdale Town this coming Sunday.”
Faced grave danger

“‘Let’s Hear It For The Wee Man’ – Musical Concert in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Appeal rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/62591/e via @RochdaleOnline”

The musical tells the courageous story of submariner James Magennis who joined the Royal Navy aged 15. He won the UK’s highest military honour for his bravery onboard a midget sub that attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao on 31 July 1945.

His job was to attach six mines to the enemy vessel in the risky covert operation in Singapore Harbour.

Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

However, he ran into difficulties and faced grave danger.

But he persisted with the mission before returning to the sub exhausted.

King George VI recognised his heroics by awarding him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.

Magennis continued his service until 1949 when he returned home with his wife Edna Skidmore and their four sons.

In 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC medal.

However, an anonymous benefactor later returned it to him on the condition he did not sell it again.

Blue plaque

Magennis spent the rest of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician before dying of cancer in 1986 aged 66.

His heroics were commemorated in 2018 with a special blue plaque in his honour.

Belfast-born Jimmy has written both the words and the music for the play.

It also features actor Charles Lawson, actress and singer Sue Devaney and comedian Jimmy himself.

Tickets are available at Rochdale Town Hall from the reception or by contacting 01706 924773. Tickets cost £10.

Read more about the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal here.

Jimmy and the mayor met up a while back to promote the play.

Rochdale Council tweeted: “Come here, come here!

“We were bowled over by the legendary Jimmy Cricket promoting his brilliant new concert, to be performed at Rochdale Town Hall on Sun 10 Nov, 4pm-5pm.

“And there’s more! Here’s Jimmy and@RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the event.”

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Meet the ‘Great Magician of the North’! 150 150 mhamer

Meet the ‘Great Magician of the North’!

My thanks to the young Magician Chris Cross and girlfriend/assistant Claire, and friends Alan and Becky for a lovely meal and after for a fabulous show at the Theatre Royal Wakefield this evening, with stage manager Smudge, alongside Joe on sound and Fran on lights!

  
The “Great Magician of the North” performed on the same bill as Jimmy Cricket recently.
Chris Cross is also an escapologist and former contortionist, having performed worldwide and appeared on British television.
He learnt his first magic trick aged 10. When he was 13, he performed for tips semi-professionally at various bars, casinos and nightclubs in his home town of Newcastle.
Chris developed a stage act incorporating comedy, magic and his natural ability of dislocation and contortion.
In addition to performing as a street show, he did cabaret at various holiday parks on the south coast of England.
He finished school at the age of 16 to become a full-time entertainer.
Chris, now 30, has performed at numerous festival events across the country, including Glastonbury and T in the Park.
He is known as the “Great Magician of the North”.
Chris appeared earlier this week on the same bill as comedian Jimmy at the Theatre Royal Wakefield.
Jimmy tweeted afterwards: “My thanks to the young Magician Chris Cross and girlfriend/assistant Claire, and friends Alan and Becky for a lovely meal and after for a fabulous show at the Theatre Royal Wakefield this evening, with stage manager Smudge, alongside Joe on sound and Fran on lights!🎭“
Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Tribute ahead of Remembrance Sunday musical 150 150 mhamer

Tribute ahead of Remembrance Sunday musical

The musical will be performed on Remembrance SundayJimmy Cricket’s latest message about his Remembrance Day musical includes a poignant tribute.
Let’s hear it for the wee man will be performed at Rochdale Town Hall in aid of the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal.
It is about Northern Ireland’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Jimmy tweeted: “Next Sunday’s concert at the Rochdale Town hall, ‘ Let’s Hear it for the Wee Man’, is a tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“And on a personal note to the late Margie Shaw from Preston whose unstinting support for the project will always be remembered.”

The musical tells the courageous story of submariner James Magennis who joined the Royal Navy aged 15.

He won the UK’s highest military honour for his bravery onboard a midget sub that attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao on 31 July 1945.

His job was to attach six mines to the enemy vessel in the risky covert operation in Singapore Harbour.

Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

However, he ran into difficulties and faced grave danger.

But he persisted with the mission before returning to the sub exhausted.

King George VI recognised his heroics by awarding him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.

Magennis continued his service until 1949 when he returned home with his wife Edna Skidmore and their four sons.

In 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC medal.

However, an anonymous benefactor later returned it to him on the condition he did not sell it again.

Blue plaque

Magennis spent the rest of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician before dying of cancer in 1986 aged 66.

His heroics were commemorated in 2018 with a special blue plaque in his honour.

Belfast-born Jimmy has written both the words and the music for the play.

It features actor Charles Lawson, actress and singer Sue Devaney, actor Nick Newbould and comedian Jimmy himself.

Tickets are available at Rochdale Town Hall from the reception or by contacting 01706 924773. Tickets cost £10.

Read more about the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal here.

Jimmy and the mayor met up a while back to promote the play.

Rochdale Council tweeted: “Come here, come here!

“We were bowled over by the legendary Jimmy Cricket promoting his brilliant new concert, to be performed at Rochdale Town Hall on Sun 10 Nov, 4pm-5pm.

“And there’s more! Here’s Jimmy and@RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the event.”

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Jimmy at the Lyndene: Happy Halloween everyone! 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy at the Lyndene: Happy Halloween everyone!

Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

Jimmy Cricket marked Halloween Eve with his latest performances at a popular Blackpool hotel.

The famous entertainer 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.

And Jimmy, 74, tweeted after his latest shows there: “Looking like the 31st October here @LyndeneHotel – Have a Happy Halloween everyone!”

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

The Lyndene Hotel, perched on the seafront, is one of Blackpool’s unique locations 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.

It also says: “Three lifts provide access to all three floors plus there are a selection of ground floor room.

“A disabled accessible ground floor toilet has now been added. Smoking & non smoking bedrooms are available, please specify at time of booking.

“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