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COVID-19

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Come closer folks – more jokes from Jimmy

Jimmy Cricket has continued to keep our spirits up during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

In the run-in to Christmas and over the festive period, Jimmy used social media to keep those topical jokes coming!

Here are some of his funny one-liners:

When the lockdown kicked in, I started walking two miles every day. Yesterday I arrived in Aberdeen.

I’ve just attended a lockdown marriage on Zoom…..The wedding cake had four tiers!

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

It’s a shame you’re only allowed one bubble for each household. I was looking forward to having a bath on Christmas Day.

We had a very safe Christmas dinner this year. Even the turkey wore a mask.

One thing about this virus, it helps you re-evaluate your priorities. For instance we don’t have to keep up with the Jones’s, cause the Jones’s are in lockdown like the rest of us.

It’s hard to get away from this virus – I used to wake up to the birds singing… now I hear them sneezing!

Things are so quiet at airports these days that the security people are searching each other.

The only thing bothers me about comedy drive-in shows is that if you get a tough heckler he might just keep bumping his horn.

Century mark

With the help of Mrs Cricket, Jimmy produced 100 daily video messages during the coronavirus restrictions last spring and summer.

The famous Northern Irish comedian hit the century mark in July.

He had been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts each day as the world continued to fight coronavirus.

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

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

Also read: Regular Twitter jokes told on video during during coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Also read: Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos

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

 

 

Gladstone Theatre – thank-you Jimmy for your support! 150 150 mhamer

Gladstone Theatre – thank-you Jimmy for your support!

SAVE OUR THEATRE - SAVE THE GLADSTONE

The Gladstone Theatre has thanked Jimmy Cricket for his support during its fund-raising campaign.

Based at Port Sunlight on The Wirral, the Gladstone is hoping to raise £50,000 to save it from “imminent closure”.

It has so far received about £15,000 from donations.

The theatre tweeted: “One huge thank you to the wonderful
@jimmy__cricket for his support during our #SaveTheGladstone Campaign! Red heart

“Jimmy always brings the fun & laughter to our stage and we can’t wait to welcome him back!

“Give the video below a watch crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-glads #SaveOurTheatres.”

The theatre has told the public: “We need you now more than ever.

“The COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the Gladstone Theatre with our full programme of shows being cancelled or postponed.

“We are a non-profit charitable organisation who receive no regular public funding and we rely on our ticket sales and generous donations from the public to maintain our theatre.”

It added: “We play a vital role in the cultural and economic environment of the local area and with our main income source having disappeared upon our closure in March, with no certainty on when we can reopen, we are asking for your help.

“We need to raise funds to ‘save our theatre’ from imminent closure and allow us to reopen our doors!”

Your donations will help us:
  • Survive the next six months
  • Continue to deliver the high quality shows you know and love with a warm friendly atmosphere to The Wirral and wider communities
  • Enable us to continue our crucial day-to-day work
  • Adapt our building to become “Covid-secure” with measures including the likes of:
    • Thermal imaging cameras
    • E-ticketing equipment to avoid contact
    • Anti-viral door handles & sanitation stations
    • Social distancing signage & Perspex Partitioning
    • Covid-19 risk assessments

“As a theatre we engage with our community and provide a platform for people to develop and express their creativity enhancing local creative skills both on and off stage.

“Any support we receive really does mean the world to us and our campaign to survive this crisis.”

History of the Gladstone Theatre

Known as Wirral’s hidden gem, the Gladstone Theatre was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever, the founder of Lever Brothers, now known as Unilever, to house his soap factory workers.

It was subsequently used as an assembly and recreation hall for entertainment, political meetings, films, dance and lectures, something it still hosts to this day.

The Port Sunlight venue hosted Jimmy’s popular comedy play No more Fiffing and Faffing in October 2019.

Also read: Gladstone Theatre: A wonderful afternoon and great evening

One huge thank you to the wonderful @jimmy__cricket for his support during our #SaveTheGladstone Campaign!Red heart Jimmy always brings the fun & laughter to our stage and we can't wait to welcome him back! Give the video below a watch https://crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-gladstone #SaveOurTheatres

‘Wonderful news’ about Blackpool’s Grand Theatre! 150 150 mhamer

‘Wonderful news’ about Blackpool’s Grand Theatre!

Wonderful news to start the week! Grand Theatre Successful COVID-19 Recovery Grant - Blackpool Grand Theatre

Jimmy Cricket has welcomed the news that the Blackpool Grand Theatre is to get a government recovery grant.

It was suggested in August the theatre could close because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Management had warned the venue might have to shut unless the UK government intervened.

Like other provincial theatres, which depend largely on box office receipts to keep going, it has not received any income since the lockdown began.

Popular comedian Jimmy said at the time that the closure of the iconic theatre would be a “tragedy”.

But the theatre, which first opened in 1894, has succeeded in its application for £483,666 to the government’s COVID-19 Recovery Grant Scheme.

Jimmy described it on social media as “wonderful news”.

‘Absolute lifeline’

The grant aims to support the theatre while it is unable to open with consistently financially viable productions.

The theatre’s website said it would pay to keep a small staff team in place to look after the building and its business until 31 March 2021. 

It will also underwrite the cost of unavoidable job losses and preparations to reopen with covid-secure provisions in place.

Additionally, it would help to rebuild the theatre’s reserves and enable it to return to full operation when possible.

Tony Stone, chairman of the charity which operates the Grand, said: “We are beyond grateful to be awarded this grant by the Government.

“It is an absolute lifeline. Since March we have been unable to earn any income as shows have cancelled or postponed.

“This additional grant makes the difference between permanent closure and the potential to return when it is safe and viable to do so.”

‘Fantastic grant’

John Grady, chairman of the Friends of the Grand, said: “In normal times we stuff envelopes, tear tickets and sell coffee to thousands of loyal customers.

“Since March we have been unable to support our favourite theatre as it has been unable to open.

“We realise that we still don’t know when this will be possible.

“But this fantastic grant will, at least, mean that we can prepare to return when circumstances allow.”

Ruth Eastwood, the theatre’s chief executive, welcomed the news “with very mixed feelings”.

‘Tremendous support’

She said the entire team were at risk of redundancy and in consultation about reduced terms and conditions of employment.

“With no work and no place of work available to our 57-strong team and the Furlough scheme ending, we have no choice but to reduce the headcount at the theatre,” she explained.

“This is to ensure we can slow down the speed with which cash is flowing out of our reserves.

“I’d like to thank my dedicated and hard-working team, plus board members and volunteers, for their tremendous support and forbearance at this difficult time.”

Also read: Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’ 150 150 mhamer

Losing the Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a ‘tragedy’

Jimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a "tragedy" for future generationsJimmy Cricket says the closure of the iconic Grand Theatre in Blackpool would be a “tragedy” for future generations.

The theatre, which was almost demolished in 1972, could be closed because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Management warned it would shut unless the government intervened.

Most of the 57 staff were furloughed during the lockdown.

They could be left redundant when the job-saving scheme ends on 31 October.

A charitable trust has run the theatre since 1972, when local campaigners saved it from the bulldozers.

Among them were entertainers such as Sir Ken Dodd and BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke.

It reopened in March 1981 with a performance of The Merchant of Venice starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

Like other provincial theatres which depend largely on box office receipts to keep going, the venue has had no income since the lockdown began.

All tickets were refunded for cancelled shows and plays.

‘We must all get together‘

The theatre, which first opened in 1894, had applied for a £500,000 government grant to keep it going until it might be able to put shows on in January.

However, if social distancing measures were still in place then, it would not make the shows viable and also the money would have run out.

Jimmy said: “We must all get together to save the Grand in Blackpool folks.

“To deprive future generations of this wonderful theatre would be a tragedy.”

His post on Twitter attracted hundreds of likes and retweets as well as some comments.

Also read: Grand Theatre in Blackpool hosts charity concert

External link: Blackpool’s Grand Theatre facing closure amid coronavirus pandemic

Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos 150 150 mhamer

Over and out as Cricket team hit century of videos

Jimmy Cricket is just 10 away from completing a century of his special daily video messages.Jimmy Cricket’s run of 100 daily video messages during the coronavirus restrictions is over.

The famous Northern Irish comedian hit the century mark on Wednesday (8 July) and will no longer do them every day.

He had been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts each day as the world has fought 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 nationwide.

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

He had posted his first video 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 decided a while ago to halt the videos at 100.

He reached the memorable milestone saying: “Hi folks, countdown complete, Hundred points symbol jokes.

“My thanks to @KatieMulg for the original idea to perform my Twitter jokes

“It’s been an absolute joy and pleasure to entertain you on a daily basis! #StayAlert” Rainbow

Watch post number 100 here.

In May, Jimmy penned a special 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.

‘Phenomenal job’

“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.”

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

Watch video of Jimmy’s lockdown lament

Cricket aims to clock up a century of lockdown levity 150 150 mhamer

Cricket aims to clock up a century of lockdown levity

Jimmy Cricket is planning to complete a century of his special daily video messages.

For the past two months or so, Jimmy has been sending all his fans and friends togetherness posts 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.

However, some of the restrictions for the Covid-19 lockdown are now starting to be relaxed.

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.

He 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 posted number 66 today (Sunday 31 May) and reveals he wants to reach 100.

Watch post 66 here.

He has written this message to all his fans, friends and followers:

“Hi Friends, Just to let you know May and I are thinking of you during these troubled and turbulent times.

“This virus has brought so much heartbreak and sadness to so many that every morning you wake up praying that the tide will turn and it looks now that it slowly has.

“I noticed that the Daily Telegraph have a special column dedicated to good news.

“They reported that Northern Ireland had no new deaths on Monday for the first time since March 21.

“They also mentioned that care home staff in Devon have set up a restaurant-style drive-through which will allow residents to see their loved ones, and that Lloyd Falk, a 100-year-old Second World War veteran and one of the first coronavirus patients to be hospitalised in Virginia, has survived.

“All these stories lift our spirits and I suppose that’s why I thought about doing something to cheer people up.

“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 and as I write this the last NHS clap-off has just taken place.

“These clap-offs were an inspired idea and brought us all together to show our appreciation for the front-line heroes.

“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.

“For instance some schools are opening this week so I’ve been doing jokes about my schooldays.

“Next, I’ll theme my material on shops opening and so on.

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

“So back to the goal of a hundred. A quick calculation points to July the fourth as the big day.

“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 Jimmy’s lockdown lament