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christmas

Lots of laughter at Galloway’s first virtual Christmas party 150 150 mhamer

Lots of laughter at Galloway’s first virtual Christmas party

Lots of laughter at first virtual Christmas partyA society for blind and partially sighted people hailed its first Christmas party held online as a “major success”.

Comic Jimmy Cricket and his wife, whose stage name is May Marion, headlined the Galloway’s show which was broadcast via Zoom.

Galloway’s posted on social media: “Our first virtual Christmas party on Zoom was a huge success.

“There was lots of laughter, with @jimmy__cricket and his wife May Marion, and our Assistive Tech Co-ordinator wowed everyone with his amazing voice.

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to make it special.”

Jimmy and May did a 30-minute set during the online celebration on Friday 18 December.

More than 150 years

Andrew Coleman, assistive technology coordinator at Galloway’s, also performed some swinging Christmas songs as part of the festivities.

Guests could join using either their telephone, smart phone or tablet through the Zoom app.

The party is primarily aimed at blind and partially sighted people, their family members and the charity’s volunteers.

Galloway’s has supported people with sight loss in the North West of England for more than 150 years.

Find out more about Galloway’s

Also read: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker’ – the first time I met Bobby Ball

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings 150 150 mhamer

Christmas card features that eyesight trip by Dominic Cummings

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

Dominic Cummings’ controversial trip to Barnard Castle during the first coronavirus lockdown is the subject of Jimmy Cricket’s 2020 Christmas card.

It features Jimmy dressed as Father Christmas telling Cummings: “They are the strongest glass we make in Lapland, Dominic!”

Boris Johnson’s former chief aide Cummings admitted he drove to Barnard Castle with his wife and child at the end of his lockdown-busting trip to County Durham.

He insisted he made the journey to test his eyesight before making the long drive home to London.

He had made the 260-mile trip north in late spring at a time when he and his wife Mary were displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

It led to claims they were enjoying a day out rather than self-isolating.

Police later found Cummings may have breached the law during the trip to Barnard Castle, but said they would not fine or prosecute him.

Cummings refused to leave his role despite the national controversy it caused.

Political theme

He finally left No 10 in November after an internal power struggle.

Jimmy also chose a political theme for his 2019 Christmas card – the way Westminster MPs have behaved over Brexit.

It showed him 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.

Read the full story: Christmas card features naughty MPs and the Queen

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

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

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.

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!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas card 2020

 

 

Galloway’s: Headlining sight loss charity’s Christmas party 150 150 mhamer

Galloway’s: Headlining sight loss charity’s Christmas party

Jimmy and May Cricket

Jimmy Cricket and his wife May Marion are headlining a Christmas party for sight charity Galloway’s – via Zoom. 

The entertainers will deliver a 30-minute set during the online celebration on Friday 18 December.

Andrew Coleman, assistive technology coordinator at Galloway’s, is performing some swinging Christmas songs as part of the festivities.

Tickets cost £10 and include a small festive food hamper, delivered before the event.

Guests can join using either their telephone, smart phone or tablet through the Zoom app.

To take part in the fun, which begins at 7pm, call the charity on 01772 744148 or visit https://www.galloways.org.uk/events-1/christmas-party before Monday December 7.

The party is primarily aimed at blind and partially sighted people, their family members and the charity’s volunteers.

Galloway’s has supported people with sight loss in the North West of England for more than 150 years.

Find out more about Galloway’s

Also read: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker’ – the first time I met Bobby Ball

‘TV’s Irish comedy legend’ back at Blackpool hotel 150 150 mhamer

‘TV’s Irish comedy legend’ back at Blackpool hotel

Wednesday 14th October at the Lyndene Hotel, entertainment with excellent vocalist Benjamin Moss and comedy from TV's Irish Comedy Legend Jimmy Cricket. Show starts at 6.00pm with Resident keyboard player Ray Bentley followed by Host & Compere Nick Jones.

Jimmy Cricket continues his shortened season this week at a popular Blackpool hotel, which bills him as “TV’s Irish comedy legend”.
The evergreen entertainer returns to the Lyndene on Wednesday for his second appearance of the month there.
The hotel posted on Facebook: “Wednesday 14th October at the Lyndene Hotel, entertainment with excellent vocalist Benjamin Moss and comedy from TV’s Irish Comedy Legend Jimmy Cricket.
“Show starts at 6.00pm with Resident keyboard player Ray Bentley followed by Host & Compere Nick Jones.”
Jimmy has been appearing at the Lyndene Hotel for several years.
The Belfast-born funnyman had been scheduled to do two shows a night on 23 dates during 2020.
However, his summer performances could not go ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government placed the United Kingdom into national lockdown in late March.

Unique venue

But the reopening of hotels and other entertainment venues meant Jimmy could return to the Lyndene several weeks ago.

Three compered acts usually perform twice per night, once each in different lounges at the Lyndene.

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

It offers a series of seasonal packages around the Blackpool illuminations and Christmas.

Jimmy Cricket will do a New Year's Eve show at the Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool

Jimmy is in his fifth season at the Lyndene Hotel.

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

Also read: The Blackpool-illuminations and wonderful-in-laws!

* Note that any scheduled dates for the rest of 2020 are subject to change or cancellation depending on measures imposed during the pandemic.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

The Crickets at Christmas – courtesy of Jimmy and May 150 150 mhamer

The Crickets at Christmas – courtesy of Jimmy and May

Here is an idea for a Christmas Show, with applied social distancing in Theatres and venues! Just ring us on 01706 353545 for a booking!

Jimmy Cricket and his wife May have come up with a special Christmas show format in place of the usual panto.

The United Kingdom continues to remain under coronavirus restrictions.

It means it is highly unlikely theatres will be able to stage traditional pantomimes over the Christmas and New Year period.

So Jimmy and May – who goes under the stage name of May Marion – are offering venues, The Crickets at Christmas.

The photo above is of a poster on the homepage of Jimmy’s webpage.

Jimmy explained: “Panto just like Santa, Christmas trees and turkey is a mainstay of our festive season.

“A wonderful opportunity for the whole family to visit the theatre.

Two-hander

“It’s also a two-way process when theatres can put the house-full signs up and take in a bit of cash to help them get through the rest of the year.

“It’s going to be sad this year to pass some of our local theatres and not hear that laughter and applause.

“To help any theatres that don’t want to remain dark and keep a link open to their regular patrons, my wife and I have devised a two-hander Christmas show.

“It will follow government guidelines with social distancing etc, so everyone can feel safe.

“It can be a 90-minute straight through show or an hour each half with an interval.

“Because of limited capacity, we’re happy to do two shows.

“It’s something to keep us going until please God we can all get back to normal.

“Stay safe and healthy everyone!

“Just ring us on 01706 353545 for a booking!”

Also read: What it might be tough to stage pantos this year…

Golden memories: The Osmonds 150 150 mhamer

Golden memories: The Osmonds

Jimmy Cricket has known and worked with many great fellow entertainers across nearly five decades in showbusiness - including the Osmonds

Jimmy Cricket has known and worked with many great fellow entertainers across nearly five decades in showbusiness.

In a special series of monthly articles, Jimmy is taking a trip down Memory Lane to recall some of the special people with whom he has shared the stage.

Our second feature in the series is about The Osmonds, an American family music group with a long and varied history as star performers.

They started their musical careers as children and achieved further success as teen-music idols, going on to produce a hit television show and also perform as solo and group artists.

The group first comprised brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny – the most famous of all of them – and Jimmy. Their only sister Marie, who rarely sang with her brothers at that time, launched a successful solo career in 1973.

Jimmy, 74, supported the world-famous Osmonds on their pre-Christmas tour around the UK towards the end of 2015.

‘Dream gig’

He was a special guest for the Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular which ran for 15 shows, several of them sellouts.

Jimmy appeared on what was a wonderfully creative and slick show, which featured Jimmy, Jay and Merrill Osmond.

It included a video screen transmitting footage of the late American popular singer Andy Williams and images of Christmas, a set of green Christmas trees around the stage and even snow fell during the finale!

Here, Jimmy remembers the Osmonds in his own special way:

“Touring with the Osmonds was what you would call in this business a dream gig.

“It happened four years ago and the show consisted of Jimmy, Merrill and Jay.

“We did a 15-day tour up and down the country and played to sellout crowds.

“As well as the boys, we had a live band, dancers a  Russian quick-change act and a young English vocalist.

‘Stayed loyal’

“The show was actually a tribute to the great singer Andy Williams, whose Christmas TV specials enthralled American viewers for many years.

“Andy was also the one to give the Osmonds their first break in television when they were just babies.

“Indeed, I did the warm-up for the show and introduced those very appearances to the audiences on a large screen on stage.

“I was always amazed how many of the Osmond fans stayed loyal over the years and came to so many of their shows during that tour.

“It was a pleasure to work with this special showbiz family.”

Also read: Merrill Osmond told me: ‘You’re one of our family’

Click on either of the arrow-shaped play buttons above to watch a slideshow of pictures from the 2015 tour. All the photos were taken during the last tour date at the Winding Wheel concert venue in Chesterfield.

Golden Memories: Norman Barrett MBE

If you have any special memories of the Osmonds or would like Jimmy to feature somebody in our series, you can do this in several ways:

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

 

Merry Christmas and a happy new year! 150 150 mhamer

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

 

Jimmy Cricket has wished all his fans and friends a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

The popular Northern Irish entertainer took to his social media channels, Twitter and Facebook, to send the season’s greetings.

Along with the message, he posted his 2019 Christmas card (above), which was based on 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.

Iconic images

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!