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cheshire

Nostalgic visit to National Waterways Museum 150 150 mhamer

Nostalgic visit to National Waterways Museum

Jimmy Cricket visited the National Waterways Museum near Ellesmere Port

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed a trip to the National Waterways Museum in Cheshire recently.

The famous entertainer, 72, visited the historical venue in Ellesmere Port while appearing in panto at the town’s civic theatre just before Christmas.

He posted some photographs of his visit on social media channel Twitter and said: “Been round this wonderful nostalgic interactive archive library study, through our historical past, which is part of organisation based here at Ellesmere Port.”

The Boaty Theatre Company tweeted: “We met the lovely yesterday at the National Waterways Museum, thank you for taking time out to hear about our projects! Good luck in Dick Whittington! :)”

The museum’s collections and archives focus on the Britain’s navigable inland waterways, including its rivers and canals, and include canal boats, traditional clothing, painted canal decorative ware and tools.

It is one of several museums and attractions operated by the Canal & River Trust, the successor to The Waterways Trust.

Jimmy Cricket visited the National Waterways Museum near Ellesmere Port

Sweep dreams from the early 1990s 150 150 mhamer

Sweep dreams from the early 1990s

Sweep Dreams, starring Jimmy Cricket

A picture montage (above) based on a silent comedy film in which Jimmy Cricket starred has been sent to the famous Northern Irish entertainer more than two decades after it was made.

The sender was the Reverend Lawrie Adams who worked with Jimmy on a film project in the early 1990s.

At the time, Rev Adams was based at a church in the pretty town of Whalley in East Lancashire and he was in charge of  BDTV – Blackburn Diocese Television.

Now a retired vicar living in Cheadle, Cheshire, Rev Adams recently went to see one of Jimmy’s shows at the Plaza Theatre in Stockport.

The project  they worked on was called Sweep Dreams, a short, silent, comedy piece featuring Jimmy as a street sweeper in and around the Lancashire coastal resort of Lytham St Annes.

Rev Adams directed the piece and his two daughters – Fiona and Tracey – were also part of the production team.

The week’s filming in 1992 was completed on location in and around the notable landmarks of the resort ie the beach, promenade and bandstand, and, as you would expect, the theme of the film was Jimmy getting into all sorts of scrapes and mischief!

Although the project was never broadcast on television – interesting because this film pre-dated Mr Bean which became a success in the same silent comedy genre a few years later – much fun was had by all who were involved.

Jimmy said he enjoyed his time on location, adding: “It was really nice that 20 years later I was able to hear again from the Rev Lawrie and to receive the montage which brought back many fond memories.”

‘Mean club sandwich’ worth the wait! 150 150 mhamer

‘Mean club sandwich’ worth the wait!

Jimmy Cricket is pictured with Frodsham Golf Club's acting manager Dean, Graham, the chef, and bar assistant Charlotte

Jimmy with Frodsham Golf Club’s acting manager Dean, Graham the chef, and bar assistant Charlotte

Jimmy Cricket finally got to perform at Frodsham Golf Club a couple of months later than scheduled.

The well-known Irish entertainer was originally due to be at the Cheshire venue at the end of March.

However, the club at that time was covered in several inches of snow and, as a result, Jimmy was asked if his show could be moved to the warmer climes of early summer and he duly obliged.

Among the people Jimmy met during his visit was Graham the chef and the famous comedian said: “He made a mean club sandwich during my visit!”

Special show at the mayor’s request 150 150 mhamer

Special show at the mayor’s request

Jimmy Cricket at the charity show with Northwich Mayor Alison Gerrard and friend

Jimmy Cricket at the charity show with Northwich Mayor Alison Gerrard and friend

Jimmy Cricket has made a special charity appearance in Northwich at the special request of the town’s lady mayor.

Councillor Alison Gerrard asked the famous Irish comedian to appear at the Castle Private Club in Cheshire to help raise money for the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

The DJ on the day was David Cantona Lee whose mother is English and his father is Chinese, prompting Jimmy to joke: “We both are thinking of going into the catering business together – he is opening up a Chinese takeway and next door I am opening up an Irish bring it back!”

Jimmy had appeared at the Brookfield Golf Club near Crewe at the start of the summer and cllr Gerrard was at that show. However, she missed Jimmy’s performance as she accidentally tripped over and fell down some stairs before Jimmy got on stage!

However, after recovering from the accident she was desperate to see Jimmy’s act and so she asked him to perform at her fund-raising event.

Laughter a key part of feeling well 150 150 mhamer

Laughter a key part of feeling well

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the special "wellbeing" event in Widnes. Photo: Ian Park, Warrington Guardian

Jimmy Cricket and friends at the special "wellbeing" event in Widnes. Photo: Ian Park, Warrington Guardian

Jimmy Cricket made a special guest appearance recently at an event with a difference.

The Irish comedian was at Ditton Community Centre in Widnes, Cheshire, for a function attended by about 200 people and funded by Halton Borough Council.

The aim of the day was to provide training that helps everyday people to stay resilient and strong. Key to this is spotting the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety and simple things that everyone can do and include in their lives.

Organiser Paula Gamester says the five ways to wellbeing are “connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give”.

She adds: “Laughter and humour are an integral part.”