Cricket Times

Thoughts, updates and news from Jimmy Cricket

Arts Centre in Staffordshire is a ‘fabulous comedy venue’ 150 150 mhamer

Arts Centre in Staffordshire is a ‘fabulous comedy venue’

Hi folks what a fabulous comedy venue at #foxloweartscentre last night, our thanks to comic #tonyvino for the booking alongside fellow comedian #billwoolland with Cindy the manager and staff, Ollie and Poppy and sound/lighting technician Richard. 🎭 #laughteristhebestmedicine

A multi-purpose arts venue in Staffordshire was the setting for Jimmy Cricket’s latest show.

The Northern Irish comedian performed at Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek over the late summer Bank Holiday weekend.

And afterwards he posted on social media: “Hi folks, what a fabulous comedy venue at #foxloweartscentre last night.

“Our thanks to comic #tonyvino for the booking alongside fellow comedian #billwoolland with Cindy the manager and staff, Ollie and Poppy and sound/lighting technician Richard. 🎭 #laughteristhebestmedicine.”

Foxlowe Arts Centre was the brainchild of a group of local people.

They had the vision of a thriving centre for a rich variety of arts-related projects in the heart of the historic market town of Leek.

Initially a group of volunteers cleared, cleaned and decorated part of the Georgian building.

It was ready for the first Christmas Exhibition in December 2011.

And it was shortly followed by the opening of the community café and a programme of arts events.

It has grown from strength to strength and now includes a cinema, comedy club, music, theatre productions and exhibition gallery.

The cenre is also a wedding and private function venue, and hosts fashion shows and school workshops.

See all Jimmy’s booked events here.

 

Back to Blackpool hotel for more celebration party performances 150 150 mhamer

Back to Blackpool hotel for more celebration party performances

The Lyndene Hotel is marking Jimmy Cricket's special anniversary with a celebratory drink during dinner.

Jimmy Cricket’s next appearance at the Blackpool hotel where he is celebrating a decade of performances is just around the corner.

The Northern Irish comedian is currently in his 10th year entertaining at the popular Lyndene.

Like other performers, he does two separate shows – one in each of the venue’s two lounges – on the nights he is there.

Rochdale-based Jimmy has dubbed the Lyndene as his “second home” as he has made so many appearances since 2015 at the seafront hotel.

And the Lyndene is marking the special anniversary with a complimentary drink during dinner.

He returns there on Wednesday 3 September for the third of four visits during 2025.

Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

The Lyndene said on social media: “🥳In celebration for 10 years exclusively at the Lyndene Hotel, during dinner everyone receives a complimentary glass of prosecco to celebrate with him 🥂🍾.

“To help Jimmy and us celebrate this momentous milestone, book in today by contacting us on:
📞 01253 346779
📩 reservations@lyndenehotel.co.uk
Jimmy’s last show of the year at the ywill be on Wednesday, 3 December.

See all Jimmy’s booked events here.

Also read: And there’s more… yet another season at the Lyndene!

A reminder that Jimmy’s official autobiography is still on sale.

Memoirs Of An Irish Comedian tells the heart-warming story of Jimmy’s illustrious life and 50-year career.

The paperback costs £10 and can be bought at online retailer Amazon here, also being available in eBook and audio formats.

Signed copies (£13.99 including postage and packing) can be purchased on this website here.

It is also available at Jimmy’s live gigs for £10 where he will sign it.

One pound from the sale of every book goes to Mary’s Meals.

The charity supports feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

The Jimmy Cricket Story is the famous comedian's official autobiography

 

‘Unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy’
Three comedy legends will headline an evening of "comedy and variety for all the family" in Blackpool later this year.Three legendary comics will headline a show of “comedy and variety for all the family” in Blackpool later this year.
Jimmy Cricket, Tommy Cannon and Mick Miller are starring in Rule Brit-Ha-nnia on Friday 24 October.
It takes place at The Joe Longthorne Theatre, which is on the North pier.
The Ticket Source website says it will be an “unforgettable evening of sensational variety and hilarious comedy”.
It adds: “Book early for an evening of the Best of British!”
Joining the three comedians on stage are ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent performer Ben Nickless (impressionist), Steve Hewlett (ventriloquist) and Siobhan Phillips (comedian).
International juggler Jon Udry is also performing in the show, which will be hosted by compere Jack Land Noble.
Go here for the book details (https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/venueplan/qvlddvolrvrn).
The length of the show is two hours and 30 minutes (including a 20-minute interval).
George Formby legacy lives on thanks to stars like Andy Eastwood 150 150 mhamer

George Formby legacy lives on thanks to stars like Andy Eastwood

Hi folks here is my latest #leponline here I chat about the great George Formby and the young ukulele/multi-instrumentalist Andy with his lovely family!

The amazing legacy of iconic entertainer George Formby will endure thanks to the likes of talented musician Andy Eastwood.

Jimmy Cricket devotes his latest long-running newspaper column to Andy, who went into showbusiness as a child.

He studied classical violin and piano, but also developed a passion for jazz and pop.

Andy made history at Oxford University by becoming the first musician to give a degree recital on the ukulele! 

Below is Jimmy’s Lancashire Evening Post column about George Formby and Andy.

In George Formby’s song Riding in The TT Races, there are two lines that always make me chuckle: “In a ten-mile race/I’m the best” and “I ride two miles/and skid the rest.”

It’s from a movie made in 1935 called No Limit, in which George plays a hapless would-be motorcyclist who wants to compete in the Isle-of-Man Grand Prix.

George’s gormless character, who always got it right in the end, made him a global star and endeared him to millions of moviegoers, especially during the war years when he helped to lift people’s spirits.

The amazing legacy of iconic entertainer George Formby will endure thanks to the likes of talented musician Andy Eastwood.

However, it will be for his wonderful songs like Leaning on a Lampost and When I’m Cleaning Windows that he will be remembered for in generations to come.

Golden classics

One such entertainer who will make sure his legacy endures is Andy Eastwood.

In fact, he performs the Formby songbook so well that none other than the American Banjo Museum invited him over to Oklahoma City to perform at a ceremony in which George Formby was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

George’s niece Gina was there on behalf of the family and I bet she had a tear in her eye as she watched Andy sing and play those golden classics!

Andy’s own career is quite remarkable.

Born in Blackburn, he moved to Dorset when his dad took up a teaching post there.

Genuine George Formby ukulele

He made his stage debut when he was only 12 at a vehicle rally in Southsea.

A few years later he turned his back on the bright lights of the entertainment profession, when he got a musical scholarship to Oxford University.

He must be one of the few people in the whole wide world to come away from that great institute of learning with a music degree in ukulele studies.

I can just picture all the students and professors at his graduation singing With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock.

Career crossroads

With his musical studies completed, Andy returned to showbiz and it was around about that time our paths crossed when we both appeared in a variety show in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

I remember vividly he was with his father and mentor, Walter, and they’d just been gifted a genuine George Formby ukulele from a lady whose late husband had paid £1,500 at an auction.

Apparently, she was so enthralled when she saw Andy performing on stage one night that she felt he was the one to carry on George’s legacy.

What a present!

Andy then toured extensively with Sir Ken Dodd and Blackpool impresario Duggie Chapman, but when both these giants of the entertainment industry sadly passed away within 18 months of each other, he found himself at a crossroads in his career.

I can’t wait to see her play the ukelele!

However, the show must go on, so Andy put on his producer’s hat on and to this day he promotes his own afternoon shows specialising in nostalgia for older theatregoers with titles like We’ll Meet Again celebrating wartime anniversaries and other shows that relive the great music from the fifties and sixties.

Oh, and there’s more, if you turn up to any of these matinees, he’ll not only regale you with his singing and ukulele expertise, but you’ll be amazed at his virtuoso violin-playing as well.

Andy lives in Blackpool with his lovely wife Helen Farrell, a beautiful singer in her own right.

When I worked at the Cast Theatre in Doncaster with them a few weeks ago, they had with them their seven-month-old baby Poppy May whom they brought on stage and, needless to say, stole the show.

I can’t wait to see her play the ukulele!

To find out more about Andy check out his website at www.andyeastwood.com

Also read from this website: Show included George Formby tribute act

‘Delighted to be doing variety shows with legendary Jimmy Cricket’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Delighted to be doing variety shows with legendary Jimmy Cricket’

Jimmy Cricket is doing a series of variety shows this autumn marking his 80th birthday, culminating in his Big Birthday Bash gala show in November.

Jimmy Cricket is doing two variety shows this autumn to mark his 80th birthday, culminating in a charity gala show in November.

The famous comedian is performing at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry in mid-September.

And then he is at the Mansfield Palace Theatre in early October..

And Jimmy heads up a star-studded list of entertainers at The Lowry in Salford on 1 November.

He turns 80 on 17 October.

Musician Andy Eastwood is on stage with Jimmy for the shows in Coventry and Mansfield.

He said on social media: “Delighted to be doing the variety shows with the legendary Jimmy Cricket this autumn.”

The dates, with links for further details, are:

Tickets are selling fast for the charity gala at The Lowry.

Tim Vine, Roy Walker, Barbara Nice, Syd Little and Steve Royle are among the entertainers performing at the Salford venue.

Northern Irish funnyman Adrian Walsh and Jimmy’s daughter, Katie Mulgrew, complete the talented line-up – as well as the birthday boy himself, of course!

Go here for the full story

Also read from this website

Jimmy Cricket is ‘friendly and funny… a great, old-school comic’!

My son Fr Frankie, the Mercy Bus and Pope Francis 150 150 mhamer

My son Fr Frankie, the Mercy Bus and Pope Francis

Jimmy Cricket's son Fr Frankie met the late Pope Francis, thanks to s special vehicle called the Mercy Bus!

Jimmy Cricket’s son Fr Frankie met the late Pope Francis, thanks to a special vehicle called the Mercy Bus!

The story is told in Jimmy’s latest newspaper column in the Lancashire Evening Post.

The full column is below.
It went exactly according to the script.

After a long, painful period in intensive care battling serious illness in hospital, Pope Francis, although frail, turns up at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to  bless the faithful, take a trip in his Pope mobile to meet some of them and pays visits to some prisoners and homeless.

Then, on Easter Monday, he leaves this earth to his new address.

Thus ends one of the most remarkable papacies in history.

Pope Francis brought an air of simplicity to the office of pontiff.

Oh, make no mistake, he was a deep-thinking man, which was borne out by the spiritual advice he dispensed though his daily tweets to help vulnerable people like me on their journey.

But what I mean is he preferred to downplay a lot of the trappings that go with that high office and embrace poverty just like the saint he was named after – St Francis – and reach out to the poor and needy and those who had fallen by the wayside.

My own son Frank, who is a priest, cherishes one moment in particular.

Offload their troubles

During his papacy, Pope Francis decreed a Year of Mercy and it gave Frank and his friends an idea!

With the permission of Bishop John of Salford, they hired a double decker bus and drove it to public places like shopping centres and supermarket car parks around Lancashire where they parked up.

It was called the Mercy Bus and inside it he and a few of his fellow priests would warmly welcome anyone that wanted to offload their troubles, seek advice and even go to confession.

The thinking behind it was that in these present times some folks are reluctant to step inside a church and this was a way of making it accessible to help them realise that perhaps there really was a Divine Power out there that could help them.

When the Vatican heard of it, Frank was invited over to Rome and actually had a photograph taken with himself and Pope Francis holding up a photograph of the Mercy Bus.

So, you see readers, miracles do happen!

Opportune moment

Now as I write this, history is being made with the election of the first American Pope – Pope Leo.

Born on the south side of Chicago, he took his Papal name from an Italian Pope who in 1891 wrote an encyclical on workers’ rights during the industrial revolution.

He’s come at an opportune moment with artificial intelligence heralding in another industrial revolution in 2025.

I’d like to finish on a light-hearted story about a chap that goes to have a haircut and says to the barber: “I want you to give me a good haircut, because I’m going to Rome next week to meet the Pope.”

The barber says to him: “You’ll never get near the Pope!”

Then the barber proceeds to cut this customer’s hair, all the while chiding him about his chances of meeting the Pontiff.

Terrible haircut!

A few months pass by and the customer goes back to the barber’s shop and the barber is gobsmacked to hear that he actually did get to meet the Pope.

“What did the Pope say?” asked the barber.

The customer looked at him wryly and answered: “Well, he said to me who gave you that terrible haircut!”

I’d like to give you a heads-up, readers, about my 80th Birthday Show, which takes place at the Quays Theatre at The Lowry in Salford on Saturday 1 November.

I’ll be joined by an all-star cast of fellow comedians and all the money raised on the night will go to Francis House Children’s Hospice in Didsbury.

If you’d like to come along and help me blow the candles out, you can book here.

Also read from this website

Tickets are selling fast for big birthday bash

 

Southport hotel charity show will be Grand event 150 150 mhamer

Southport hotel charity show will be Grand event

Jimmy Cricket will be the special guest at the charity show at the Grand Hotel in Southport in early August

Jimmy Cricket is the special guest at a charity show in Southport early next month.

A Grand Night Out, presented by Gig4Life in Association with Southport Links Rotary, takes place on Saturday 9 August.

The venue is The Princess Grace Suite at The Grand hotel on Lord Street.

It begins at 7pm and tickets cost £30.

Go here for more information about the event.

Also read from this website: