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‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’

Jimmy Cricket's latest monthly column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket relived his wedding day 40 years on in his latest column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

The famous entertainer  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

When the Lancashire Evening Post contacted Jimmy through his website editor Martin Hamer – former digital editor at the LEP – about the idea of a monthly feature in the run-up to the panto, he thought it was a “very flattering request”.

And his most recent column recalls the happy memories from 1974 – and how he celebrated his ruby anniversary.

Jimmy also talks about the pantomime, which will be directed by Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies who found fame in the 1960s on Opportunity Knocks when it was watched by an astonishing 20 million people.

“Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie,” laughs Jimmy in his column.

Renewing wedding vows 40 years on 150 150 mhamer

Renewing wedding vows 40 years on

Jimmy and May Cricket celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with all the family

It was a family occasion in more ways than one when Jimmy Cricket and his wife May celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary recently.

Jimmy and May Cricket got married at St Joseph’s Catholic church in Bury on 25 September 1974They got married at St Joseph’s Catholic church in Bury on 25 September 1974 (photo right) and, 40 years and three days later, they renewed their vows at St Mary’s, Sabden in East Lancashire (below left).

And the priest who took the Sabden service was none other than the couple’s younger son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew.

Close family (above) attended the service, which was followed by a special celebratory dinner at the nearby Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley in the Ribble Valley.

Jimmy and May Cricket renewed their vows on Saturday 27 September at St Mary’s, Sabden in East LancashireJoining both Jimmy and May for their special day of celebrations were all four of their children: Dale, Frankie, Jamie and Katie.

Also present were daughter-in-law, Philippa, and son-in-law, Lee.

Jimmy and May’s grandchildren made their presence known during the day as both Tristan and Lorelai participated in this joyous occasion.

Special thanks at Fr Frankie’s first Mass 150 150 mhamer

Special thanks at Fr Frankie’s first Mass

Fr Frankie hugs his dad Jimmy Cricket after dedicating his book, Does God LOL?, to himFather Frankie Mulgrew had a special present for his dad Jimmy Cricket, the famous entertainer, when he celebrated his first Mass as a Roman Catholic priest.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew celebrates his first Mass

Having been ordained at Salford Cathedral the previous day, Fr Frankie said his first Mass at St Vincent’s RC Church in Norden, Rochdale, where has been based for several years.

During the Mass, Fr Frankie – hugging his dad and thanking him for all he has done for him (picture above) – presented him with a special gift as a token of his gratitude… a copy of the book entitled Does God LOL?

Liz Dawn (who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street) talks to Frankie's friend Liz Creagh after the service. Liz was at both the ordination and the First Mass and Frankie was really thrilled she came to both eventsFrankie has compiled the book, which develops a theme around whether God has a sense of humour with the help of well-known contributors including Tim Vine, Ricky Tomlinson and Jo Brand.

He dedicated it to his father who said he had no idea this was going to happen.

Among the hundreds of people who attended the packed service at St Vincent’s was Liz Dawn, Lord David Alton, who has been a great guiding light for Frankie Mulgrew, reads the first reading at the Masswho played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street.

Above, she is pictured talking to another of Frankie’s friends, Liz Creagh, after the service.

Liz Dawn was at both the ordination and the first Mass, and Frankie said he was really thrilled she had attended both events.

Lord David AltonFr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priest, who has been a great guiding light for Frankie, read the first reading at the Mass (above).

A buffet was held after Fr Frankie’s first Mass at St Vincent’s Parish Centre, which is just yards from the church.

The ordination service, on Saturday 13 July, was presided over by the Rt Rev Bishop Terence Brain – Bishop of Salford – and in the presence of the Rt Rev Mark Davis, Bishop of Shrewsbury.

It was a joint ordination as Frankie’s friend, Nathan Horne, was also ordained to the priesthood and so the cathedral was packed with nearly 800 people in attendance.

* All photos courtesy of Graham Sivills from Norden Studio

View more photos from this special occasion here

Fr Frankie Mulgrew celebrates his first Mass

Evening of fun – with a special message 150 150 mhamer

Evening of fun – with a special message

“A light-hearted evening of fun that will get you rolling in the aisles…but with a special message of God’s love and laughter-medicine right at its heart.”

That write-up set the scene for famous comedian Jimmy Cricket’s show at the Ruskington Methodist Church in the village of Ruskington, just outside Sleaford in Lincolnshire, last Friday (16 November).

An Evening With Jimmy Cricket was organised as an outreach event – such activities provide services to populations who might not otherwise have access to those opportunities – and was well attended.

The Irish funnyman was joined on stage by his compere for such events, Chris Gidney,  who runs his own production company called That’s Entertainment Productions.Jimmy Cricket appeared at the Ruskington Methodist Church

His company is involved in producing several pantomimes over the forthcoming Christmas season, including for the Medina Theatre in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

Jimmy said: “I would especially like to thank the organisers of the event – Bob Potter, Colin Porter and Roy Carter – who did a sterling job in making sure all the tickets were sold.

“I would also like to note the excellent contribution that Nick Page from Shorehill Arts played in making this show a success, as he helped arrange the event with Ruskington Methodist church.”

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.

Joined on stage by a local councillor 150 150 mhamer

Joined on stage by a local councillor

Comedian Jimmy Cricket with sisters Katie and Rebecca who attended his show at St Joseph's Parish Centre in Heywood

Jimmy Cricket with sisters Katie and Rebecca who attended his show at St Joseph's Parish Centre in Heywood

Rochdale comedian Jimmy Cricket was joined on stage by a local councillor at a recent charity show.

The Irish funnyman was performing at St Joseph’s Centre in Heywood to help raise money for the Roman Catholic parish.

Counc Peter Rush, who represents the Heywood North ward and ran the town’s Albany Hotel on Rochdale Road East for a long time, went on stage to join Jimmy and his wife May and their good friend Eric Devereaux, a well-known singer on the North West entertainment scene.

Jimmy also had his picture taken alongside sisters Katie and Rebecca who were in the audience.

Their mum Nicola told Jimmy: “We had an amazing time on Friday night at St Joseph’s. We hope that you will come again very soon to do another show. Take care and keep entertaining.”

Church doubles up as a social centre 150 150 mhamer

Church doubles up as a social centre

Jimmy with Sister Joy, Tony and Fr Peter from the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington

Jimmy with Sister Joy, Tony and Fr Peter from the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington

Jimmy Cricket’s fund-raising autumn tour of Roman Catholic parish centres included a church which doubles up as a social club.

In addition to all his other charity work, the Irish comedian raises money for the Francis House Children’s Hospice with Jim Nicholas – who brings his Cliff’s Disco outfit along as support – alongside Jimmy’s wife May Marion, who adds some vocal sparkles.

The tour featured the Blessed Cardinal Newman parish in Latchford, Warrington. The event took place in the main church, which is also the main social centre when partitions are brought in to close off the altar.

It was hugely successful and more than £2,000 was raised.