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Coronavirus

‘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

Lockdown lament: I’m all dressed up to stay in! 150 150 mhamer

Lockdown lament: I’m all dressed up to stay in!

Jimmy Cricket's lockdown lament

A dapper-dressed Jimmy Cricket has posted a poignantly funny lockdown lament on social media.

The famous comedian produced the video as part of his We’re doing this together series.

He published his rhyming lament on both Twitter and Facebook, where it has had several thousand views.

Jimmy, 74, is dressed in a smart dinner jacket and bow tie.

He begins and ends his poetic lament by saying: “I’m all dressed up to stay in!”

Watch Jimmy’s lament in full here

‘Big huddle’

For the past six weeks, Jimmy has been sending all his fans and friends daily togetherness messages 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 had 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.”

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!

 

 

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!

David Bell: ‘Legendary maestro of TV variety’ 150 150 mhamer

David Bell: ‘Legendary maestro of TV variety’

The late great David Bell whom my generation of fellow performers had the great pleasure of working with! David was gone too soon!

Jimmy Cricket has been delving into the archives again to fondly remember those with whom he has worked.

With the coronavirus pandemic meaning no shows for the foreseeable future, comic Jimmy has been looking through his old photographs.

And he found the picture above of the late David Bell, who was one of British television’s best light entertainment producers.

Award-winning David died aged 53 in June 1990 at his London home after being ill for several months.

The Scotsman worked for Scottish Television, the BBC and London Weekend Television (LWT) during a very successful career.

He worked with many big names in television, including Benny Hill, Bruce Forsyth, Dame Edna Everage and Elton John.

Hawick-born David was the man behind most of the ITV royal variety shows.

As controller of entertainment at London Weekend Television, he was in charge of many of ITV’s most popular series.
These included The Stanley Baxter Show.

Jimmy tweeted: “Going through archives, and here remembering the legendary maestro of Variety and sketch shows on Television…

“The late great David Bell whom my generation of fellow performers had the great pleasure of working with!

“David was gone too soon!”

Read how the Herald in Scotland reported on David’s death back in 1990

From this website – Golden memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana

 

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana 150 150 mhamer

Golden Memories: Performing in front of Princess Diana

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!

Jimmy Cricket has worked with many great fellow entertainers in 50 years of showbusiness.

The lovable Northern Irish comedian has also performed in front of some very famous people.

Jimmy, now 74, has been reminiscing on social media about taking part in the Royal Variety Performance in 1984.

The show took place on 19 November at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.

Royal guests were the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Also among the performers were singer/actor Paul Nicholas and comedians Bernie Winters and Billy Dainty.

The Royal Variety Performance is a televised variety show held annually.

It raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, of which Queen Elizabeth II is life patron.

Senior members of the British Royal Family attend the event.

The evening’s performance is presented as a live variety show, usually from a theatre in London.

‘Warm glow’

It consists of family entertainment, including comedy, music, dance, magic and other specialty acts.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Jimmy is unable to do live shows at venues.

However, he has been telling jokes via video on his social media accounts, including Facebook.

Additionally, he has been dipping into the archives and posted the images above and below on social media.

He added: “As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years.

“All have given me a warm glow. None more than this one.

“I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King! ????”

Golden memories: The Osmonds

If you have any special memories of celebrities with whom Jimmy has performed or would simply like him to feature somebody in our series, you can:

As lockdown continues to #SaveOurNHS I have been looking at nostalgic memorabilia from over the years, all have given me a warm glow, none more than this one when I performed alongside my fellow entertainers in front of the Queen Mum, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, at a time when Variety was King!