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healey dell

Enjoying an afternoon tea at Healey Dell 150 150 mhamer

Enjoying an afternoon tea at Healey Dell

Healey Dell Tea Rooms

Jimmy Cricket recently visited the tea rooms at the Healey Dell Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Rochdale where he lives.

Jimmy Cricket at the Healey Dell Tea Rooms with Tim the manager

He was at the delightful Healey Dell Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms with Mrs Cricket as a treat for both of them and they enjoyed an afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches, scones and cakes.

The famous entertainer bumped into Tim, manager of the centre, while he was there (right).

Jimmy explained: “The reason for the visit stems back to my 70th birthday last October, as one of the gifts I received from the many wonderful presents I got was a voucher to these Dell Tea Rooms!

“Since my birthday, I have not had too many chances to use the voucher due to work commitments, but I managed to get there last Sunday and both I and Mrs Cricket had a wonderful afternoon.”

The Healey Dell Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms is a non-profit organisation run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

For more information about the tea rooms, visit http://www.healeydelltearooms.co.uk/home.html

Run will be fun… and is a great way to get healthy! 150 150 mhamer

Run will be fun… and is a great way to get healthy!

Jimmy Cricket with race organiser Andy O'Sullivan, runner Jo Davies, her two children - Lucas Davies and Lillie Mai Davies - and Daniel Barker at the scene of the fun run near Cowm Reservoir

It won’t only be seasoned club runners who take to the starting line this autumn for the fun run being organised to mark famous funnyman Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday.

Some people – including Whitworth resident Jo Davies – will also be using the event on 18 October in a bid to get healthier.

Jo saw the run advertised in a local Rochdale magazine and thought it would be a good goal for her as she has never been a runner and a few months ago started light jogging in response to a major health scare at the end of last year.

The mum of three has already lost 18lb in weight since April and now hopes to continue to build her stamina up in preparation for the 5k course, which Jimmy’s birthday fun run will follow around Cowm Reservoir in Whitworth.The form for Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday fun runJo was equally drawn to the run as the event is in aid of the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester and she has received pledges of £200 in sponsorship from friends and family to encourage her to do it.

She said: “In December last year I was advised my weight was one of the contributing factors to my health scare, so I said then I was going to do something about this for both myself and my children.

“In April I set myself a goal and so the exercise and healthy eating began. When I saw the article about this 5K run, I thought ‘come on you can do this in three months’ time!’

“I also think that the charity Francis House is an amazing charity and I decided to fund-raise for this as an extra motivation to complete the 5k.”

Rochdale-based entertainer Jimmy said: “I am thrilled this race is now being considered throughout the community. I understand Jo has also roped in one of her friends, her brother and step-dad to also take part in the run, so what a great supporting team she has lined up for the occasion!

“This is great to hear as the idea behind the fun run is to make it more of a community event to mark my birthday. This is why it is really fantastic Roch Valley Radio [which broadcasts to Fairfield General Hospital in Bury 24 hours a day] are coming along to set up their roadshow and that the fund-raising team from Francis House are going to be present too. 

“Add in the nearby Cock and Magpie pub – who are arranging some post-race entertainment – and this is turning out to be a fun-filled event for everyone.”

Jimmy is pictured above with race organiser Andy O’Sullivan, runner Jo Davies, her two children – Lucas Davies and Lillie Mai Davies – and Daniel Barker at the scene of the fun run near Cowm Reservoir.

The entry fee to take part in this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers. Jimmy will be there to send runners on their way and also greet them as they finish.

For more information and for a hard copy of the entry form (above), please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event 150 150 mhamer

Fun run poster flags up birthday charity event

The special poster publicising the charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket's 70th birthday in OctoberA special poster has been produced to publicise the 5K charity fun run being organised to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday in October.

The event is being arranged in Jimmy’s adopted hometown of Rochdale in Greater Manchester by a seasoned run organiser called Andy O’Sullivan, who is not only associated with the local Rochdale Harriers running club, but who has also been awarded the MBE for all the fundraising he has done over the years.

Famous Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy will turn 70 on 17 October 2015 and his birthday race will take place the following day.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

He will be there in person to start the race off at 11.30am, with the route planned to take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, ensuring the race will be a true 5K.

Jimmy said:  “A big thank you to Rachel –  one of the charity’s trainee fundraisers – for producing a nice flyer for the event (above right).

“Naturally, I will be on hand to start the race off outside the Cock & Magpie public house and welcome back the winners after two laps of this stunning water feature. I will also hand out the prizes in the Cock & Magpie once all runners are safely back home.”

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Fun run plans get media coverage 150 150 mhamer

Fun run plans get media coverage

Jimmy Cricket's plans for a fun run were featured in the Rochdale Observer newspaper

Jimmy Cricket’s plans to stage a special fun run to mark his 70th birthday have received coverage in his local newspaper.

The Rochdale Observer published the above report and picture on the race, which will take place on 18 October 2015 – the day after the well-known entertainer turns 70.

The Belfast-born comedian was approached by Rochdale-based fundraiser Andy O’Sullivan about the prospect of a birthday race.

Andy has been organising charity runs with the local Rochdale Harriers athletics club for many years.

The location of the start will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities, which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Fun run to mark Jimmy’s 70th birthday 150 150 mhamer

Fun run to mark Jimmy’s 70th birthday

Jimmy Cricket's fun run will take place in October 2015Legendary comedian Jimmy Cricket will celebrate his 70th birthday next year with a special fun run in his adopted hometown of Rochdale.

The Belfast-born entertainer was approached by Rochdale-based fundraiser Andy O’Sullivan about the prospect of a birthday race. Andy has been organising charity runs with the local Rochdale Harriers athletics club for many years.

Jimmy will turn 70 on 17 October 2015 and his birthday race will take place the following day.

The location of the start on Sunday, 18 October will be the Cock & Magpie pub in Whitworth, near Jimmy’s beloved Healey Dell Nature Reserve where he is often spotted walking and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

He will be there in person to start the race off at 11.30am, with the route planned to take in two laps of Cowm Reservoir, ensuring the race will be a true 5K.

After the race Jimmy will also be on hand to present the prizes and perhaps offer a slice of birthday cake too!

All proceeds from the fun run will be donated to one of Jimmy’s favourite charities which is the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

Race organiser Andy O’Sullivan said: “I recently bumped into Jimmy in Healey Dell and we got chatting about what he is up to. When he mentioned that next year was his 70th birthday, I thought ‘why not mark this with a specially arranged birthday race?'”

“The idea of the race came to me as Jimmy is such a well-known person and has contributed so much to local Rochdale life over the years.”

Jimmy said: “I am honoured this race is going to be organised for my 70th birthday. I was wondering how I could celebrate the arrival of this milestone in some way and this race will be a wonderful occasion.

“It will be quite a spectacular route for all who want to participate. But I am also hoping my many Rochdale friends will come along and spectate to enable the event to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause as Francis House.”

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

New heritage centre and tea rooms open 150 150 mhamer

New heritage centre and tea rooms open
The redecorated tea room at the visitor centre

The redecorated tea rooms at the visitor centre

Jimmy Cricket recently attended the press launch of the new Healey Dell Heritage centre and tea rooms near to where he lives in Rochdale.

The famous Irish entertainer was invited to the opening event by Janice Percy, who had teamed up with a friend to save the centre when she heard Rochdale Council no longer wanted to keep it open.

Jimmy with Lorraine, one of the centre’s volunteers

Jimmy with Lorraine, one of the centre’s volunteers

Jimmy did not need to think twice about going because when he is not working he often goes walking in Healey Dell, as he lives on the edge of this nature reserve.

Last December Janice and her partnership took on the lease of the building and set about raising around £25,000 for its refurbishment.

She also started to look for volunteers who would help the project get off the ground.

Janice and her team have now revived the old building and have created the following:

The exterior of the building - the fairy is there in preparation for the children’s Easter activities!

Outside the centre – the fairy is there in preparation for the children’s Easter activities!

  • A heritage room – An all-year-round exhibition dedicated to the rich heritage of the nature reserve
  • Dedicated gallery space to showcase the work of local artists and photographers
  • A vintage style tea room featuring a baby grand piano and six sparkling crystal chandeliers where visitors will enjoy traditional cream teas served from vintage bone china
  • Newly converted disabled facilities/wheelchair access and disabled toilet and washroom

The centre reopened on the Thursday before the Easter weekend and  the tea rooms will now open every Saturday and Sunday over the summer season. The centre is run entirely by unpaid volunteers.

Jimmy with the Rochdale-based actor Colin Meredith, who recently appeared on Coronation Street

Jimmy with the Rochdale-based actor Colin Meredith, who recently appeared on Coronation Street

Car’s a write-off – but show must go on! 150 150 mhamer

Car’s a write-off – but show must go on!
Jimmy Cricket's car was damaged by a falling tree

Jimmy Cricket's car was written off after being badly damaged by a falling tree

Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket suffered more than just a bit of car trouble only 48 hours before he was due to begin his summer show in Eastbourne.

The vehicle which he and his wife May use for travelling to entertainment venues all over the UK was extensively damaged during bad weather near their home in Rochdale.

“We had a good opening night in Eastbourne, although two days before on the Sunday heavy winds brought a tree down on top of our car which was parked outside the house on the edge of Healey Dell Nature Reserve,” said Jimmy.

“It was a write-off and since then we’ve been driving around in hired cars. Thank God we weren’t in it.”

Jimmy Cricket is starring in a “royal” variety show in Eastbourne to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

Sentimental Journey is on at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex, from 1 May to 26 September.