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may marion

Irish-themed show in Ribble Valley village 150 150 mhamer

Irish-themed show in Ribble Valley village

Jimmy Cricket with friends

Jimmy Cricket recently returned to the quaint Ribble Valley village of West Bradford near Clitheroe for another fund-raising event.

The Northern Irish entertainer was last at the Lancashire village’s community hall in 2015 and organiser Michael Fox had hoped to snap up his services again after what was a successful first event.

Jimmy Cricket

As Jimmy had been down to appear in neighbouring towns and villages of the Ribble Valley, Michael has had to wait a couple of years.

Jimmy’s return coincided with this year’s St Patrick’s Day festivities as the show ended up being scheduled for the Friday after 17 March.

It gave Michael and his organising team good cause to make the event into an Irish-themed one, with tricolour flags out in force. Michael even turned up in a green tie (top picture)!

For this second successful appearance, Jimmy was joined by his wife, female vocalist May Marion, and Jim Nicholas of Cliff’s Disco – who dressed up as Elvis Presley for the evening (below).

Jim Nicholas of Cliff’s Disco dressed up as Elvis Presley

Christmas cheer for Jimmy Cricket’s return 150 150 mhamer

Christmas cheer for Jimmy Cricket’s return

Performers at the show in Wisbech

Festive fun was had by all when Jimmy Cricket visited the Cambridgeshire town of Wisbech at the beginning of December.

The popular entertainer was there to appear at the Tower Ballroom for two Christmas shows that had been scheduled for the afternoon and early evening.

Jimmy Cricket with friends in Wisbech

It was the second successive Christmas visit Jimmy had made to Wisbech.

Both shows for this year’s return visit were packed and alongside Jimmy was the hugely talented instrumentalist Sean Moyes, Jimmy’s wife, the female vocalist May Marion, and the locally based Nine Lives Theatre Company.

The show was produced by Jimmy’s good friends Ian and Michelle Larkin, who runs the Nine Lives Theatre Company.

Jimmy said: “A big thanks to Michelle’s dad for providing overnight accommodation after the show for me and May.”

As this was another hugely popular visit from Jimmy, there is talk of a third appearance in Wisbech from him in the not-too-distant future.

Jimmy Cricket and May Marion (Mrs Cricket) with friends in Wisbech

Idyllic Lancashire village is setting for fundraiser 150 150 mhamer

Idyllic Lancashire village is setting for fundraiser

Jimmy Cricket with the St Mary's Parish Hall show organising committee

Jimmy Cricket recently visited the small rural community of Sabden in the Ribble Valley to appear at a fundraiser.

Jimmy Cricket

Christmas return to Wisbech for two shows 150 150 mhamer

Christmas return to Wisbech for two shows
Christmas CD for charity is now officially on sale 150 150 mhamer

Christmas CD for charity is now officially on sale

Children from St Patrick's RC Primary School in Rochdale sang at the concert

Jimmy Cricket has officially launched his new charity CD for Christmas 2016.

The event earlier this month was marked by a mini-concert at the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

It was a fitting venue for the launch of the CD, called Santa bring my wellies back to me,  as all proceeds will be donated to the charity.

The audience was composed of Francis House volunteers and parents of some of the children who are cared for by the organisation.

The evening started with a buffet followed by the mini-concert. For this, famous entertainer Jimmy – who has just turned 71 – was joined on stage by some of the other singers who feature on the CD, namely the choir from St Patrick’s RC Primary School in Rochdale and his wife, the female vocalist May Marion.

All 10 songs from the new CD were performed and all were well-received, with a particular warm reaction granted to the signature track, which Jimmy performed alongside the choir, and also for the novelty song, No one wants Wilbur (the turkey).

There was also an opportunity for the choir (pictured top) to sing a track on their own and they chose One bright star from their Christmas repertoire.

Jimmy, pictured below performing one of the songs, said: “The choir not only sang superbly, but they behaved impeccably and their mere enthusiastic presence gave everybody at the concert a lift.”

After the event, copies of the CD were available to be bought and nearly 200 have already been sold – this without a Christmas illumination or decoration in sight!

Jimmy Cricket's Christmas CD is now officially on sale

Rotary Club benefits from great show at Rolls-Royce 150 150 mhamer

Rotary Club benefits from great show at Rolls-Royce
Jimmy Cricket with friends at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser

Jimmy with friends at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby event

Jimmy Cricket helped to raise a four-figure sum of money for charity on a recent visit to the Rolls-Royce Club in the Lancashire town of Barnoldswick.

The 70-year-old entertainer was there to assist the local president of the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby, Michael Peckover, in raising funds for some of the good causes his organisation supports, including Aquabox, ShelterBox, WaterAid and Mercy Ships.

Jimmy Cricket performs at the Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser

Jimmy put on the show he often presents around community centres and church halls for good causes within the Greater Manchester and Lancashire regions.

On this occasion his show included his good wife – the female vocalist May Marion – and his good friend Jonathan Swift, who croons away as a Frank Sinatra tribute.

The Ballroom at the Rolls-Royce Leisure was full and, as a result, Michael was able to raise £1,000 from the event.

It meant that not only did everyone enjoy themselves tremendously – as Michael received some great feedback over the weekend after Jimmy’s show – but  those present all contributed to ensure a handsome sum of money was generated that will now help worthy charities associated with the Rotary brand.

The Rotary Club of Barnoldswick & Earby fundraiser audience

From Muddles to Milton Keynes (slideshow) 150 150 mhamer

From Muddles to Milton Keynes (slideshow)

 

Jimmy Cricket returned to action after his festive pantomime spell with  a show in Milton Keynes.

The well-known entertainer appeared at the Lovat Fields Retirement Village in Milton Keynes, which is part of a national chain run by the Extra Care organisation. Jimmy has appeared at some of their other sites over the years in St Helens, Warrington and Coventry.

This particular visit was organised by Mary Cooper, who is one of the residents at Lovat Fields and is involved in helping to arrange the entertainment programme. A big thanks to Mary for also sending in the slideshow photos of the night.

Jimmy said: “This was my first show after the Christmas pantomime season.

“It came after what is a traditional annual break for me during January, so it was wonderful to return to stand-up after four weeks of being Muddles in Snow White and to entertain at such a hospitable place with a wonderful audience!”

* Click on either of the arrow buttons above to view the slideshow.