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coronavirus pandemic

Special poem is read out during lockdown message no 96 150 150 mhamer

Special poem is read out during lockdown message no 96
Hello @jimmy__cricket . Hope you’re well. I’ve loved your countdown to Hundred points symbol jokes. I’m trying to spread smiles with poems. I wrote one for you as part of my #ShowbizStanzas. I hope you like it. Would be lovely to know what you think (or if you’d consider doing a reading of it?)
Jimmy Cricket was sent a poem about himself by a social media follower – and read it out during his latest lockdown video message.
The ode (above) was written by Rachel Keeley (@xRachelKeeleyx), who posted her Showbiz Stanza on Twitter.
She said: “Hello @jimmy__cricket. Hope you’re well. I’ve loved your countdown to Hundred points symboljokes.
“I’m trying to spread smiles with poems. I wrote one for you as part of my #ShowbizStanzas. I hope you like it.
“Would be lovely to know what you think (or if you’d consider doing a reading of it?) Slightly smiling face X”
Jimmy replied: “Lovely Rachel, I will be happy to read and perform your poem here on Twitter, on my way toHundred points symbol jokes! Stay safe! Jimmy xx.”

The Northern Irish comedian was true to his word and read out the poem during his lockdown message 96, which you can watch here.

‘Absolutely brilliant’
Rachel said: “I’m glad you like it Jimmy Smiling face with smiling eyes Thank you so much that means a lot! Best wishes and stay safe X.”
Her poem received praise on social media from Rosina Breen.Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.
She said:”Hi Rachel, I thought Thought balloon your poem was absolutely brilliant. Well done Face with tears of joy Face with tears of joy Face with tears of joy xxxxx.”

Jimmy is now just four away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

He has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts as the world fights coronavirus.

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown. He now sends daily video messages

However, the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are starting to be relaxed nationwide, with pubs, restaurants and hairdressers among those business permitted to open again from today (4 July).

Jimmy has been posting the videos on social media with messages like “We can do this together!” and “#stayAlert”Rainbow.

He created the first daily message the day before the lockdown and has attempted to give them topical themes.

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

100 lockdown videos – ‘coming into the home straight!’ 150 150 mhamer

100 lockdown videos – ‘coming into the home straight!’

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.

The famous Northern Irish comedian has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts as the world fights coronavirus.

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

However, the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are starting to be relaxed nation-wide.

Jimmy has been posting the videos on social media with the message: “We can do this together!”

He created the first daily message the day before the lockdown and has attempted to give them topical themes.

Jimmy told a few jokes in the clip and urged people to help each other in these tough times.

He said: “Once we get though this, at the end of the tunnel, we’ll all have a great big huddle together.”

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown. He now sends daily video messages

Jimmy has decided to halt the videos at 100 – he posted number 90 on Sunday (28 June).

He tweeted: “We’ve Been Doing This Together. Message 90. Coming into the home straight! Hundred points symbol jokes folks! #StayAlert” Rainbow

Watch post 90 here.

In May, Jimmy wrote this message to all his fans, friends and followers.

In it, he said: “It was my youngest daughter Katie who suggested I do a joke each day on social media not long after the lockdown had kicked in.

“Before we knew it, we’d got to day 54 when one of our Facebookers suggested I go for the 100 jokes.

“His name was Paul Ritchie and I bought into his idea right away.

“After all, I can’t go on indefinitely

“When I say daily jokes, they come in various forms. It could be a couple of quick one-liners or a longer joke with a punchline.

‘Phenomenal job’

“In some cases it could be a poem. The trick is to keep it short. After all, there’s no live audience so it’s a silent feedback.

“I put on my character costume of tail coat, hat and wellingtons and do them in weekly batches of seven and just drop them in each day one at a time.

“Mrs Cricket’s the one behind the camera and she does a phenomenal job.

“I’m constantly astounded how good the quality is on her iPhone.

“I try to make them relevant to what’s happening in the news.

“I’m thrilled by the emails and texts I get from people telling me how much I cheer them up.

“Look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on my journey of lockdown levity.”

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

‘Dawn comes just after the darkest part of the night’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Dawn comes just after the darkest part of the night’
Fr Frankie Mulgrew has given a message of hope during the coronavirus pandemic

Fr Frankie has given a message of hope during the pandemic

Fr Frankie Mulgrew has talked about the “coming of the dawn” as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.

Jimmy Cricket’s younger son is the parish priest of St James and All Souls in Salford and Catholic chaplain at Salford University.

He has also been assisting with hospital ministry during the current crisis.

Fr Frankie is reported in the Catholic Universe talking about the importance of hope and love in response to the virus.

“The greatest message we can give anybody is the message that they’re loved, and to know they’re not alone,” Fr Mulgrew said in a recent interview with The Art of Dying Well.

“They’re loved enough that someone wants to be sat next to them in this difficulty, wants to stand with them on this front line… I think that’s really key.”

Fr Frankie has been supporting Fr Mark Paver, who is the lead chaplain at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

He said chaplains have personal protective equipment (PPE) and take the lead from the hospital on whether they can go into wards to minister.

“We’ve got to have the gear on, and even with personal equipment – there’s still the eyes, hopefully you can still display a message of eyes of love,” he said.

However, he admitted it was “tricky” and these are particularly “difficult circumstances”.

‘No night lasts forever’

“It’s letting people know that they’re not alone really,” Fr Frankie explained. “And from the priest’s perspective; it’s that God never leaves them.

“I think that’s the key thing, that He never leaves them; and that he always joins them in their pain.”

He said it was “a great honour” to be able to help and support as a chaplain, but insisted: “The real heroes are the doctors and nurses.”

Fr Frankie added: “What I am holding onto is that basically, the dawn comes just after the darkest part of the night. The dawn is coming. No night lasts forever before the sun rises. And when it rises, boy, does it shine brightly.”

Read the full story here

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said public liturgies should cease until further notice because of the coronavirus.

Many churches have been getting around the problem by streaming their services online – including Fr Frankie.

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: Fr Frankie’s Masses go online

Looking on the lighter side of the lockdown 150 150 mhamer

Looking on the lighter side of the lockdown

Jimmy Cricket talks about life under the lockdown in his latest newspaper column.

Jimmy Cricket talks about life under the lockdown in his latest newspaper column.

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the country following the global outbreak of coronavirus.

It has included restrictions on leaving the house and also meant people observing social distancing when they are in public.

Jimmy, 74, tells readers of the Lancashire Post in his own inimitable way to “come closer but stay two metres away”.
The famous Northern Irish comedian says: “I’m having nothing to do with this coronavirus. I’m washing my hands of the whole thing.”
During the lockdown, Jimmy has been producing daily videos containing jokes and posting them on his social media channels.
‘Lift people’s spirits’
He has branded them part of a We’re doing this together series.
The veteran entertainer says in his column: “I think it’s important for someone like me to lift people’s spirits during these trying times.

“So after lunch I’ll put on my hat and wellies on and record some jokes and birthday wishes to send out on social media.

“I’m so blessed that my good lady May is such a whizz kid on modern technology, so she acts as director and producer on these little movies.”

He says he puts aside some time each evening to phone his friends.

“They’re all going to be in, that’s for sure.”

Jimmy adds: “We also look forward to our family get-together through Zoom and Skype.

“We get to see to see the latest drawings and stories from our grandkids, and extended family.”

 

Mammy’s letters are handy reading for the garden! 150 150 mhamer

Mammy’s letters are handy reading for the garden!

Steve Hewlett @ventriloquist29 @jimmy__cricket I might read these this weekend in the garden Red heart ???????? Glowing star

Popular ventriloquist Steve Hewlett has the perfect answer to what to read during the coronavirus lockdown – two Jimmy Cricket books!

Steve, who was a finalist in the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent, posted a photo of the books on Twitter.

He tagged Jimmy in it and said: “I might read these this weekend in the garden.”

The books are the first and second editions of Come ‘ere There’s More! Letters from Me Mammy.

Jimmy is particularly well-known for the letters he reads on stage from his Mammy back in Northern Ireland.

They helped him to become a household name back in the 1980s.

Top-class performers

Steve has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall and guested as a ventriloquist on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

He has headlined summer seasons and comedy clubs as well as devising, producing & appearing in countless variety shows.

Over the years, he has worked with many top-class performers, including the Osmonds, the Stylistics, the late Sir Ken Dodd, the late Roy Hudd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tom O’Connor, Bobby Davro and many more.

And Jimmy himself of course!

They both performed in a fund-raising show in September 2018 in memory of the late Keith Harris.

The event, called Eyes & Teeth, took place at the Viva Blackpool in the west Lancashire seaside resort.

All the money raised went towards The Keith Harris & Orville Statue Fund as part of a campaign to erect a memorial in the town for the late ventriloquist.

Keith was best known for his television show The Keith Harris Show (from 1982 to 1990) and for his appearances with his puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey.

Also read: Message of hope: ‘After the storm comes the rainbow…’

Blackpool bonanza in aid of statue for Keith Harris

Steve Hewlett's Twitter profile

Steve Hewlett’s profile on social media channel Twitter

Message of hope: ‘After the storm comes the rainbow…’ 150 150 mhamer

Message of hope: ‘After the storm comes the rainbow…’
Pictures from one of Jimmy's jam nights in 2019

Pictures from one of Jimmy’s jam nights in 2019

Jimmy Cricket has sent out a reminder that his regular ‘jam’ nights are cancelled for the foreseeable future.

It comes amid the continuing lockdown throughout the United Kingdom because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy and his wife May host an night of entertainment every couple of months in their adopted home town of Rochdale.

It takes place in the lounge area of St Vincent’s RC parish centre in Norden.

They invite different guests who perform free of charge.

It started more than a decade ago as an opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new routines.

At every event,  there is a raffle and the selling of refreshments, with all proceeds donated to a chosen charity.

The popular comedian has nicknamed those who regularly support these evenings as ‘Jimmy’s Jammers’.

Jimmy has in the past few years alternated hosting the jam nights with his good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

‘Staggering and heart-breaking’

He messaged the regular jammers this weekend to confirm that two jam nights, scheduled for next week and next month, have been cancelled.

His email said: “I hope you’re all safe and healthy during this challenging time.

“I’m sure like me you’re finding it hard to take in all that’s happened during these last three months.

“We’re inclined to think that epidemics are things we learned about in our school history books.

“But the death toll and misery that this virus has inflicted on us all is staggering and heart-breaking.

“These are the times when we have to dig deep and find the resilience to help each other through.

“I read a saying once: after the storm comes the rainbow.

“Take care everyone and big hugs from myself and May.”

For the past five weeks, Jimmy has sent all his fans and friends daily togetherness message via video as the world fights coronavirus.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy posted his first video on social media the previous day with the message: “We can do this together!”

He told a few jokes in the clip and urges people to help each other in these tough times.

He said: “Once we get though this, at the end of the tunnel, we’ll all have a great big huddle together.”

Also read: Rochdale jam night is ‘lovely charity evening’

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Video message pays tribute to ‘brilliant’ hospital workers 150 150 mhamer

Video message pays tribute to ‘brilliant’ hospital workers

Jimmy Cricket thanks NHS staff on TwitterJimmy Cricket has sent a video message of support to a Shropshire hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

It followed a special request from the League of Friends charity supporting the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.

It is a world-class NHS orthopaedic centre of excellence.

Jimmy posted in his message on social media.

He said: “I would like to wish all the Staff, Volunteers and The League of Friends at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital the very best during these challenging times.

“You are all doing a brilliant job to keep patients safe and well cared for.

“I know how hard you are working and I just wanted you to know how much you are appreciated whatever role you do.

“From Housekeepers, Porters, Nurses, Doctors, Administrators and Managers – everyone.

“Thank you NHS.”

Watch Jimmy on the video paying tribute and thanking NHS staff

Show gratitude

For the past five weeks, Jimmy has been sending all his fans and friends daily togetherness message via video as the world fights coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday (30 April) that the total number of deaths from coronavirus – also known as Covid-19 – in the UK had now reached 26,711.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown

The UK government announced on 23 March it was imposing strict new curbs on life in the UK.

Jimmy posted his first video on social media a day earlier with the message: “We can do this together!”

He told a few jokes in the clip and urges people to help each other in these tough times.

He said: “Once we get though this, at the end of the tunnel, we’ll all have a great big huddle together.”

A nationwide round of applause has been taking place at 8pm every Thursday since the start of the lockdown.

The aim is to show gratitude to the NHS staff and key workers.

Also read: Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!