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graham ashworth

A retired fireman and The Original Wag 150 150 mhamer

A retired fireman and The Original Wag

The Original Wag by Graham AshworthJimmy Cricket is mentioned in the foreword of a new book by a Rochdale-born novelist.

The famous entertainer was presented with his own personal copy of The Original Wag by author Graham Ashworth. Jimmy features in the book and his contribution is also acknowledged.

Graham was a firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service before retiring in 2009. His first novel was Man O’ The World, which was released in 2013 and The Original Wag is his second.

Amazon, the popular retail website, says: “Both books mirror extraordinary life through the medium of fictional biographies. Nostalgia, humour and a gritty way of life feature prominently to create a welcome journey down Memory Lane.”

Graham now lives in Rossendale, Lancashire, with his wife Dawn. He is currently working on a third novel, the details of which will be revealed shortly, and is a regular contributor to Rossendale’s Life magazine.

Belfast-born Jimmy, who has lived in Rochdale for many years, said: “I wish Graham the very best with this book as it has an interesting theme and I hope many people get to read it!”

Fans give Jimmy egg as a present! 150 150 mhamer

Fans give Jimmy egg as a present!

Jimmy Cricket with the volunteers of the West Cliff Theatre’s Friends group

Jimmy Cricket got more than he bargained for when he appeared at one of his favourite venues over Easter.

Jimmy Cricket with Norman Jacobs at the West Cliff Theatre

The well-known entertainer did a show at the West Cliff Theatre – where he is also a patron – in Clacton-in-Sea on Easter Sunday.

He has appeared at the theatre many times over the years and on this occasion brought his ‘Audience with’ show, which gives his fans a chance to ask him questions during the interactive part of the performance.

The host of this question-and-answer session was none other than Norman Jacobs – chair of the trust which runs the theatre and a joint winner of Jimmy’s Golden Wellington award for April.

Norman Jacobs, Jimmy Cricket and West Cliff Theatre manager Paul GeorgeJimmy said: “I was really thrilled with the questions that were flung at  me and thanks to Norman for expertly handling this part of the show on my behalf!”

And a seasonal bonus for Jimmy was when two fans presented him with an Easter egg!

 Images with this story are:

Top – Jimmy with the volunteers of the theatre’s Friends groups.

Above right – Jimmy and Norman in action on stage.

Above – Norman, Jimmy and theatre manager Paul George.

Below – A  couple of Jimmy’s fans who came along to present him with an Easter egg.

A  couple of Jimmy Cricket’s fans came along to present him with an Easter egg

Theatre campaigners are latest Wellie winners 150 150 mhamer

Theatre campaigners are latest Wellie winners

Jimmy Cricket presents the April Golden Wellie award to Norman Jacobs and Joan Beatton

Jimmy presents the award to Norman Jacobs andJoan Beatton

Jimmy Cricket has announced that two theatre volunteers from Essex are the Golden Wellie winners for April.

Norman Jacobs is the chairman of the Tendering Trust which runs the West Cliff Theatre in the seaside resort of Clacton-on-Sea, while Joan Beatton is the principal co-ordinator of the volunteers who support the venue as a friends group.

Jimmy said: “Norman has been the chair of the trust for a number of years and is unwaveringly devoted to the theatre’s survival.

“He is quite a character and appeared on a TV game show lately where he pocketed  £10,000 in prize money and used it to fund an adventure to south America.

“Joan is a tireless campaigner for the West Cliff Theatre. She leads the volunteers group from the front, putting in so much time and energy to help keep the theatre alive, vibrant and, most importantly, open.”

The West Cliff Theatre is one of Jimmy’s favourite venues – he has appeared there on several occasions in the past, including headlining the 2006 summer season – and he wanted to recognise the efforts of Joan and Norman in trying to keep it going – hence the Golden Wellington award to both of them.

He made the presentation during his last visit to the theatre on Easter Sunday. Jimmy was appearing in the evening, but earlier in the day he was invited to a lunch with the friends group as a special guest and he used the opportunity to present Norman and Joan with the Golden Wellington.

Jimmy Cricket with Norman Jacobs and his wife Linda

Jimmy with Norman and his wife Linda

Who won the Wellie award for March? 150 150 mhamer

Who won the Wellie award for March?

Jimmy Cricket with Jim Nicholas and Eileen

A lady who has given a considerable amount of money to charity was the winner of Jimmy Cricket’s Golden Wellington award for March.

Last year, Eileen Gleave generously donated a large sum to the Francis House Children’s Hospice, located in south Manchester.

The award was presented to Eileen at a fundraising event at the Greater Manchester Police Sports & Social Club, which is based at Hough End in Chorlton.

* The photo is of Eileen and Jimmy with DJ Jim Nicholas – both Jims were part of the evening’s programme of entertainment.

Golden award for ‘inspirational young man’ 150 150 mhamer

Golden award for ‘inspirational young man’

Jimmy Cricket with Golden Wellie award winner Sonny

Jimmy presents “courageous” Sonny with the Golden Wellie award for February

A young man whose “courage and tenacity” impressed entertainer Jimmy Cricket is the February winner of the Golden Wellie award.

Jimmy met Sonny who accompanied reporter Graham Ashworth when he was interviewing the Northern Irish comedian just before Christmas for the Local Journal in Rossendale.

Sonny was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012 and had a bone marrow transplant 12 months ago which was kindly donated by his brother, Spencer. Sonny is currently in remission and undergoing radiation treatment.

Jimmy said: “I was only told of sonny’s circumstances at the end of Graham’s interview with me. On hearing the news, I could not believe what I was being told because of Sonny’s great attitude and friendly demeanour.

“I was particularly impressed with Sonny’s courage and tenacity. I also learnt that Sonny was planning to revisit the cancer ward at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital over the forthcoming Christmas period with gifts for the children there and to show them that as he is recovering so can they.”

After meeting this “inspirational young man”, Jimmy thought he would acknowledge the occasion in his own very personal way by presenting him with the Golden Wellie award.

The Nobodies, stolen wellies & keeping busy 150 150 mhamer

The Nobodies, stolen wellies & keeping busy

Jimmy Cricket article in the Local Journal in RossendaleJimmy Cricket has been telling a magazine about how he met his wife May and why he still hopes his concrete wellies will one day be returned to him.

The famous entertainer is featured in the February edition of the  Local Journal in Rossendale – his house falls just metres inside the Rossendale border.

He moved there a couple of years ago  from his previous home in Rochdale which was less than a mile from where he now lives.

The article (above), written by Graham Ashworth, is headlined ‘Jimmy cricket is still bowling them over!’ and describes him as one of the country’s best-known comedians.

It says he was the last person to be interviewed by Eamonn Andrews on the famous This
is your life programme and that it was at Pontins holiday camp in Morecambe where he met his wife May who was singing with a resident group called ‘The Nobodies’.

And Jimmy, who says he has no plans to hang up his wellies any time soon, has not given up hope that his concrete boots, which were stolen from his garden last summer, may yet turn up again eventually.