Posts Tagged :

charity

Meeting a magician 150 150 mhamer

Meeting a magician
Danny Lee Grew with Jimmy and, left, Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs West Cliff Theatre

Danny Lee Grew with Jimmy and, left, Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs West Cliff Theatre

Jimmy Cricket was treated to a magic trick by a fellow entertainer at an Essex theatre.

Danny Lee Grew, a London-based magician, performed a piece of magic involving a sponge to the delight of famous Irish comedian Jimmy and Norman Jacobs, chairman of the charity which runs the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea.

Danny was one of the first performers to entertain at the new Olympic Stadium in Stratford, East London. He entertained a 5,000-strong crowd with his close-up magic and also performed for many celebrities throughout the day.

He is the resident magician for Marvin’s Magic at Hamleys toy store and Harrods of Knightsbridge, and was a Bluecoat entertainer at Pontin’s Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales.

Celebrities other than Jimmy who have seen Danny’s magic include musician Peter Andre, pop band Madness, Duncan Bannatyne of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and players from West Ham United Football Club.

Visit Danny’s website here

Video of the trick can be seen on the homepage of this website.

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town 150 150 mhamer

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town
Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Jimmy Cricket is to appear in a charity show in a town which has a special place in his heart.

The famous Irish comedian is performing at the Falcon Lodge Youth and Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, on Friday 30 March.

It means Jimmy will also be able to see his youngest son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest at nearby Oscott College.

He told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “I love that neck of the woods. I was there in November for a Help the Heroes night and I’m really looking forward to returning, both to perform and to see my son.”

The profits from the show will go to the Carpenter’s Arms Community Centre which is operated by the Sutton Central Churches Trust.

For tickets to the show, ring the Falcon Lodge centre on 0121 378 1555.

"It was the way he told them"
Tribute to the late Frank Carson 241 179 mhamer

Tribute to the late Frank Carson
Comedian Frank Carson

Comedian Frank Carson

Jimmy Cricket has paid a warm and glowing tribute to fellow comedian and great friend Frank Carson who died this week aged 85.

Frank, who like Jimmy was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, passed away on Wednesday after battling ill health for some time.

Famous for his comic sayings “it’s a cracker” and “it’s the way I tell ’em”, Frank rose to prominence in the 60s after winning Opportunity Knocks.

He leaves a wife, Ruth, daughter Majella and sons Tony and Aidan, and 10 grandchildren.

Belfast City Council has opened a book of condolence in Frank’s memory.

Jimmy said: “There are some comedians who can read a telephone directory and make it sound funny. Frank was one of them. His inflection of voice, facial expressions and delivery could make the oldest gags seem fresh and hilarious.

“He was quite inspirational to the likes of me. I saw him leave Northern Ireland and make it big in the UK and this motivated me to do the same.

“I actually headed for Liverpool and presented myself at the office of his then agent, Ernie Mack. He gave me a warm welcome but explained I needed experience. He then rang his star comedian and asked him there and then to have a word with me.

"'Unstoppable enthusiasm"

"Unstoppable enthusiasm"

“Frank said: ‘Try and work every night, even if it’s for nothing. That way you’ll polish up your jokes by putting a word in here and leaving a word out there.’

“Looking back now on that telephone conversation 45 years on, I now see it was a masterclass on how to be a stand-up comedian. When it was over I said: ‘Well Frank, thanks for your advice.’ He said: ‘It’s not advice you want, it’s money!’

“Frank was one of the funniest comedians there ever was both on and off the stage. He spent his life cheering people up and his enthusiasm was unstoppable. He lit up every room he went into.

“He could do his act in a hotel, chat to everybody until two in the morning and be the first one up for breakfast.

“His was a tireless fundraiser for worthy causes and one of his proudest possessions was the Order of the Knighthood of St Gregory. This was bestowed on him by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his work for charity.

“Like a singer has hit tunes, Frank had hit jokes that people wanted to hear over again.

“Because quite simply it was the way he told them.”

* Pay your own tribute to Frank using our comment form below.

Top entertainers: Frank Carson with Jimmy Cricket, Paul Daniels, Cannon and Ball, and the Krankies

Frank Carson with Jimmy Cricket, Paul Daniels, Cannon and Ball, and the Krankies

Raising money for Help for Heroes 150 150 mhamer

Raising money for Help for Heroes
Jimmy Cricket and Phil Walker at the Comedy for Heroes show

Fellow comics Jimmy Cricket and Phil Walker at the fund-raising Comedy for Heroes show in Sale

Jimmy Cricket appeared with fellow comedians at a show to raise money for wounded members of the Armed Forces.

The Comedy for Heroes show, which took place at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester, on Saturday 18 February, was a fundraiser for Help for Heroes.

Other funnymen on the show included John Moloney, Rob Rouse, Phil Walker and Steve Royle.

Comedian and TV presenter Jason Manford made an appearance at the end of the performance, while his brother Colin was compere for the night.

The organisers said afterwards: “We would like to thank our audience for joining us for Comedy for Heroes.

“We had an amazing night. All the comics were brilliant and we had loads of bids for the sports auction prizes. Our bucket was full of raffle tickets for our great prizes too.

“We were even visited by comic royalty in the shape of Jason Manford at the end of the gig!”

Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a wish to help the wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

* A video slideshow of Jimmy with several of his fellow comedians involved in this event can be viewed on the front page of this website and at the Welliebootuk channel on YouTube.

Show benefits Anna’s Hope charity 150 150 mhamer

Show benefits Anna’s Hope charity
Jimmy with Carole Hughes, mother of Anna, and Eileen

Jimmy with Carole Hughes, mother of Anna who tragically died from a brain tumour aged just three, and Eileen

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket has helped to raise money for a charity formed in memory of a little girl who died from a brain tumour.

He was appearing at the Corn Exchange Theatre in Stamford, Lincolnshire, over half-term week and part of the revenue from the show went to a local charity called Anna’s Hope.

The leading children’s brain tumour charity in the east of England, Anna’s Hope is dedicated to giving hope to children and young people diagnosed with a brain tumour.

It was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes, who tragically died from a brain tumour aged only three years and eight months, and was set up by Anna’s parents, Rob and Carole Hughes, and her five godparents in October 2006.

Jimmy said: “I would like to thank the Corn Exchange manager Judith Mackie who put in a lot of hard work to make my visit happen. It was also her idea to raise funds for this very worthy cause.”

Enjoyable trip down Memory Lane 150 150 mhamer

Enjoyable trip down Memory Lane
Jimmy with the Rev Tim Hopkins, Frankie – who supervised the event's box office – and his lovely wife, Maggie

Jimmy with the Rev Tim Hopkins, Frankie – who supervised the event's box office – and his wife, Maggie

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed a nostalgia trip when he appeared at St Mary’s Parish Centre in Denton, Greater Manchester.

The popular comedian was pleased to be reminded of two books which he released in the 1980s containing volumes of his famous “Letters from his Mammy”.

Paul brought along copies of the “Letters from his Mammy” books Jimmy released in the 1980s

Paul brought along copies of the “Letters from his Mammy” books Jimmy released in the 1980s

He was appearing in a fund-raiser which was the first event of this year’s annual tour of Manchester Catholic parishes where Jimmy performs in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice.

The event raised £1,500 for Francis House on the night.

Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based at Didsbury in Manchester, cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.

It also provides a home from home where families can receive professional care, support and friendship.

Care is given free of charge, regardless of faith or cultural background.

Francis House is open to all families who have children under 16 years of age on referral diagnosed as having a life-threatening or life-limiting condition.

Learn more about the great work done by Francis House Children’s Hospice at the charity’s official website.

Jimmy and wife May with Pauline (who made the teas and coffees) and Pat, both committee members who helped organise the evening

Jimmy and wife May with Pauline (who made the teas and coffees) and Pat, both committee members who helped organise the evening

Lasagne with the Coleman family 150 150 mhamer

Lasagne with the Coleman family
Jimmy Cricket and the Coleman family at the Empress Hotel

Jimmy Cricket and the Coleman family before the charity show at the Empress Hotel on the Isle of Man

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket helped to raise £1,500 for a local Lourdes youth group in a show on the Isle of Man.

Last Friday’s (10 February) Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show at the Empress Hotel in Douglas was a fund-raiser for the annual Liverpool Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.

The youth group is run by Sheila Signorio from the local Catholic Church.

Before the show Jimmy sat with the Coleman family and they all tucked into lasagne!

Afterwards Brian Coleman said: “Thanks again for a brilliant night Jimmy, please come again!”