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Warm welcome at the inn 150 150 mhamer

Warm welcome at the inn

Jimmy with Phil, owner of the Old Bell Inn in Delph, Saddleworth

Jimmy with Phil Whiteman, owner of the Old Bell Inn in Delph, Saddleworth

Jimmy Cricket visited the the Old Bell Inn in Delph, Saddleworth, after an invitation from the Director of the Francis House Children’s Hospice, David Ireland.

The occasion was a “thank-you” meal for the comedian’s efforts in a recent fundraiser for the Hospice, organised at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham in October.

The show also featured the Krankies and the Swinging Blue Jeans. The total raised from the show was in the region of £6,000 for the charity.

One of the sponsors of the show was the Old Bell Inn which generously supplied a number of bedrooms for the visiting band members of the Swinging Blue Jeans as part of their sponsorship.

Jimmy spoke to the Swinging Blue Jeans after their stay at the inn and they said they were very impressed with the hospitality provided.

Phil and some friends attended the second performance of the show at the Oldham Coliseum and afterwards he mentioned that he had thoroughly enjoyed himself. He is a great supporter of Francis House and recently hosted a wine-tasting evening at the Old Bell Inn to also raise money for the charity.

Jimmy said he enjoyed his meal at the Old Bell Inn and readily recommends the restaurant to anyone passing through the Saddleworth area.

Jimmy goes into panto mode 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy goes into panto mode

Jimmy is appearing in Cinderella in Darlington

Jimmy Cricket has begun rehearsing for his latest pantomime appearance.

The legendary comic is starring as Baron Hardup in Cinderella at Darlington Civic Theatre which runs from Saturday 3 December until Sunday 15 January 2012.

Dancing on Ice and X Factor star Ray Quinn (Prince Charming), Emmerdale’s Deena Payne (Fairy Godmother) and Grease musical actress Emma Stephens (Cinderella) are also appearing in the festive spectacular.

Performances are as follows: Matinees 2pm, evenings 7pm except Sundays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when evening performances will begin at 5.30pm. Prices are £13.50, £19 and £21, with discounts available at some performances.

Jimmy last appeared in the Darlingon theatre’s pantomime 21 years ago when it was also a version of Cinderella. Back in 1990 he played the role of Buttons.

The panto means it will be a very busy time of the year for Jimmy who said: “I am back home at the weekend and when we’re up and running with the actual show, I have every Sunday night and all day Monday off. Not to mention Crimble and New Year’s day!”

Find out more details here

Treading the Comedy Carpet 150 150 mhamer

Treading the Comedy Carpet
The Crickets' grandson, Tristan, points out Jimmy's famous catchphrase "And there's more..."

The Crickets' grandson, Tristan, points out Jimmy's famous catchphrase "And there's more..."

The Comedy Carpet in Blackpool celebrates the work of more than 1,000 comedians and comedy writers – including our very own Jimmy Cricket.

It features jokes, songs and catchphrases dating from the early days of variety to the current day.

Situated in front of Blackpool Tower, the 2,200 square metres of art contains over 160,000 granite letters embedded into concrete. It was created by artist Gordon Young and commissioned by Blackpool Council as part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the sea front.

Mrs Cricket took their grandson Tristan to visit the Comedy Carpet.

“It’s a fantastic idea, a superb piece of public art. But most importantly it recognises the undeniable contribution that comedians have made to Blackpool over the years as they performed in the resort’s much-loved theatres,” says Jimmy.

“My grandson was gently guided to where my name was located in the lengthy roll call of comedians that have been included within the Comedy Carpet.

“Then – and this must have been quite a feat given that this carpet stretches out over quite a huge land mass – he and grandma managed to located my catchphrase – ‘And there’s more…’ which is one of the many sayings and jokes listed on this carpet.

“I have been told by Mrs Cricket that this is quite a comedy hall of fame, as many comedians who have trodden the Blackpool boards have a joke or catchphrase presented on the carpet. I cannot wait to view the carpet myself!”

A taste of vintage tequila! 150 150 mhamer

A taste of vintage tequila!
Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy performed with the Vintage Corporation Band

Jimmy Cricket teamed up with a Kent-based group on a night of great entertainment in Folkestone.

He appeared with the Vintage Corporation Band at the Hawkinge Community centre in a show which proved a big success in front of a large crowd.

The Band are a great 60s and 70s party and function band, and with nine members they certainly produce a great musical sound.

And they were up for doing a musical ensemble with Jimmy who performed a rendition on his saxophone of Tequila with them.

The Vintage Corporation Band have been putting music and comedy nights on around the Kent region.

In the run-up to working with Jimmy, the band had just appeared at a nearby theatre with Tom O’Connor. They are also working with Roy Walker in the lead-up to the Christmas season.

Jimmy hopes to work with the band in 2012 because the evening was such a great success.

A thank-you from the past 150 150 mhamer

A thank-you from the past

Pictures from the past

Jimmy Cricket is getting a big thank-you from a charity – three decades later.

The recognition comes after Jimmy appeared in the Hippodrome Theatre’s Pantomime with famous Liverpool entertainer Cilla Black back in the mid-1980s.

He recently received the following email from Matt Adams: “We are holding another charity event in aid of the Young Venturers on December 10th at the Hall Green Conservative Club, Birmingham. These nights raises enough funds to enable us to take a group of disabled children to the Pantomime in Birmingham.

“My parents, who has been raising funds for this charity for over 40 years, write to the stars of the show and asks them if they would be kind enough to spend a few minutes after the show to meet the children.

“We plan to project photos taken from the last 40+ years on the 12ft screen at the club, and whilst going through a few of the photos, I found a few of Jimmy from way back. This photo along with countless others will be projected on the night with a ‘thank you’ message.

“As my Dad always says ‘time is the most important thing you can give to anyone’ and the time Jimmy spent with ‘our’ children certainly made their night.

“I would therefore be grateful if you could thank Jimmy on behalf of us for all the smiles he has made!”

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.

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.