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Double celebration time for our favourite comedian! 150 150 mhamer

Double celebration time for our favourite comedian!

It was a double celebration weekend for evergreen funnyman Jimmy Cricket.

Saturday (16 October) marked the long-awaited return of the popular jam nights introduced by Jimmy and his wife May about 15 years ago.

And Sunday was the famous entertainer’s 76th birthday.

Double celebration weekend: Here back with our Jammers tonight, (now into our second decade), at #StVincentsParishCentre, (after a long 19 month break), Pauline’s raffle tonight will go to the wonderful Charity #marysmeals, my thanks also to singer #MikeHowarth, and Kate and Pat on teas & coffees! 🎭

Jimmy and May – a professional singer – have since 2006 hosted a regular night of entertainment in their adopted home town of Rochdale.

It provides a useful opportunity for Jimmy and other performers to try out new (and relive some old) routines.

They began it on a monthly basis and in the past few years have alternated hosting the jam nights with good friend and fellow entertainer Eric Devereaux.

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.

Jimmy Cricket's self-isolating message just before the start of the lockdown

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’.

However, the event was inevitably put on hold early in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic – until Saturday.

Jimmy said: “Here back with our Jammers tonight, (now into our second decade), at #StVincentsParishCentre, (after a long 19-month break).

“Pauline’s raffle tonight will go to the wonderful Charity #marysmeals, my thanks also to singer #MikeHowarth, and Kate and Pat on teas & coffees! 🎭“

Mary’s Meals supports feeding projects for children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Jimmy’s comedian-turned-priest son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, is a long-standing supporter of Mary’s Meals.

Jimmy also expressed his gratitude for all the congratulations on his birthday.

He commented: “Can I say a huge, “Thank You”, to everyone who took the time to wish me, “Happy Birthday”.

“It was so very much appreciated! xx”

Can I say a huge, “Thank You”, to everyone who took the time to wish me, “Happy Birthday”, it was so very much appreciated! xx

Also read:

Jam nights are about to return!

Message of hope: After the storm comes the rainbow

Rochdale jam night is ‘lovely charity evening’

Coronavirus pandemic: We can do this together!

Mary’s Meals: Charity marks memorable milestone

Twitter profile features Remembrance Sunday musical 150 150 mhamer

Twitter profile features Remembrance Sunday musical
Jimmy Cricket's Twitter profile promotes his muscial in Rochdale

Jimmy Cricket is using his Twitter profile (above) to promote his forthcoming musical in aid of charity.

Let’s hear it for the wee man is about Northern Ireland’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross.

It takes place on Remembrance Sunday (10 November) at Rochdale Town Hall in aid of the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal.

It tells the courageous story of submariner James Magennis who grew up in abject poverty in Belfast and joined the Royal Navy aged 15.

Come here, come here! We were bowled over by the legendary Jimmy Cricket promoting his brilliant new concert, to be performed at Rochdale Town Hall on Sun 10 Nov, 4pm-5pm. And there’s more! Here’s Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

He won the UK’s highest military honour for his bravery onboard a midget sub that attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao on 31 July 1945.

His job was to attach six mines to the enemy vessel in the risky covert operation in Singapore Harbour.

However, he ran into difficulties and faced grave danger.

But he persisted with the mission before returning to the sub exhausted.

King George VI recognised his heroics by awarding him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.

Magennis continued his service until 1949 when he returned home with his wife Edna Skidmore and their four sons.

Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

In 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC medal.

However, an anonymous benefactor later returned it to him on the condition he did not sell it again.

Blue plaque

Magennis spent the rest of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician before dying of cancer in 1986 aged 66.

His heroics were commemorated in 2018 with a special blue plaque in his honour.

Belfast-born Jimmy has written both the words and the music for the play.

It features actor Charles Lawson, actress and singer Sue Devaney, actor Nick Newbould and comedian Jimmy himself.

Tickets are available at Rochdale Town Hall from the reception or by contacting 01706 924773. Tickets cost £10.

Read more about the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal here.

Jimmy and the mayor met up recently to promote the play (see photo above right).

Rochdale Council tweeted: “Come here, come here!

“We were bowled over by the legendary Jimmy Cricket promoting his brilliant new concert, to be performed at Rochdale Town Hall on Sun 10 Nov, 4pm-5pm.

“And there’s more! Here’s Jimmy and@RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the event.”

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Armed Forces veterans breakfast with Mayor of Rochdale 150 150 mhamer

Armed Forces veterans breakfast with Mayor of Rochdale

Wonderful breakfast this morning with Billy the Mayor, his Secretary Dorothy, at the, “Veterans Breakfast”, sharing the forthcoming event at the Town Hall which is on Remembrance Sunday, 10th November to raise funds for local Charities!

Jimmy Cricket enjoyed breakfast with the Mayor of Rochdale and veterans of the Armed Forces.
The famous comedian attended the weekly event at Rochdale Town Hall in his adopted hometown last Thursday (10 October).
He will be back there next month with his musical, Let’s hear it for the wee man.
The performance takes place at the town hall on Sunday 10 November in aid of the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal.
He tweeted afterwards: “Wonderful breakfast this morning with Billy the Mayor, his Secretary Dorothy, at the, “Veterans Breakfast”, sharing the forthcoming event at the Town Hall which is on Remembrance Sunday, 10th November to raise funds for local Charities!????“
Come here, come here! We were bowled over by the legendary Jimmy Cricket promoting his brilliant new concert, to be performed at Rochdale Town Hall on Sun 10 Nov, 4pm-5pm. And there’s more! Here’s Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

The musical is about Northern Ireland’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross, James Magennis.

It tells the courageous story of the submariner who grew up in abject poverty in Belfast and joined the Royal Navy aged 15.

He won the UK’s highest military honour for his bravery onboard a midget sub that attacked the Japanese cruiser Takao on 31 July 1945.

His job was to attach six mines to the enemy vessel in the risky covert operation in Singapore Harbour.

Jimmy and @RochdaleMayor Coun Billy Sheerin having a good old yarn about the James Magennis play

However, he ran into difficulties and faced grave danger.

But he persisted with the mission before returning to the sub exhausted.

King George VI recognised his heroics by awarding him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.

Magennis continued his service until 1949 when he returned home with his wife Edna Skidmore and their four sons.

In 1952, he lost his job and was forced to sell his VC medal.

However, an anonymous benefactor later returned it to him on the condition he did not sell it again.

Blue plaque

Magennis spent the rest of his life in Yorkshire working as an electrician before dying of cancer in 1986 aged 66.

His heroics were commemorated in 2018 with a special blue plaque in his honour.

Belfast-born Jimmy has written both the words and the music for the play.

It features actor Charles Lawson, actress and singer Sue Devaney, actor Nick Newbould and comedian Jimmy himself.

Tickets are available at Rochdale Town Hall from the reception or by contacting 01706 924773. Tickets cost £10.

Read more about the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity appeal here.

Jimmy and the mayor met up recently (photo above right) to promote the play. Go here to watch the video.

Find out where Jimmy is performing and his other forthcoming shows by viewing all his tour dates on this website.
Rochdale charity gala to Birmingham bingo club 150 150 mhamer

Rochdale charity gala to Birmingham bingo club

Mayor of Rochdale's charity gala

Jimmy Cricket was given a fabulous reception at two shows during the last weekend of January.

On the Friday, the 71-year-old popular entertainer was invited to perform at the Mayor of Rochdale’s charity gala at the Heywood Civic Centre.

The event was organised by his friend of many years, Cllr Peter Rush. Appearing alongside Jimmy was John Stokes’ Bachelors, comedian Dusty Young (who compered the proceedings), and the band Carnaby Street.

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Mayor of Rochdale's charity gala at the Heywood Civic Centre

Jimmy at the gala

It was staged in the presence of this year’s Mayor of Rochdale – Cllr Ray Dutton. All the proceeds from this special night of entertainment went to local Rochdale and Heywood Charities that are supported by this year’s Mayor.

The next night, Rochdale-based comedian Jimmy was down in Birmingham where he appeared at the BJ’s Bingo club (poster for the event is below) in the Kitts Green district of the city.

This was the second BJ’s Bingo club Jimmy had visited in six months,  as he was at their venue in Leigh last October.

Many thanks must go to the Birmingham general manager David Cooksley for arranging Jimmy’s visit.

BJ’s Bingo club

Jimmy’s DVD passes another milestone 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy’s DVD passes another milestone
Jimmy Cricket's DVD "Pull Your Seats Forward - outer-sleeve

Jimmy Cricket's DVD is called "Pull Your Seats Forward

Some news about sales of Jimmy Cricket’s first ever DVD, called “Pull Your Seats Forward”.

Recorded live at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, it has now sold more than 2,000 copies!

It is an hour and 10 minutes long and includes Jimmy’s favourite routines, a phone call and letter from his mammy, his famous “Leaving Home” poem, his sentimental ballad called “I’m Dreaming of a Far off Land” and 20 minutes of extras.

To find out how to buy the DVD, visit the Go Shopping section of this website.

Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy 150 150 mhamer

Scheme celebrates silver anniversary – with help from Jimmy
Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth.

Scheme manager Stella Watson and resident William Royle with Jimmy Cricket. Photo by Ian Howarth

Comedian Jimmy Cricket provided a welly-full of laughs for residents, staff and neighbours from Roeacre Court sheltered housing scheme in Heywood to celebrate 25 years since the project started.

The Irish comedian, who lives in Rochdale, was the star turn at the celebration attended by a host of special guests including Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Alan Godson, Jim Dobbin MP, councillors Peter Rush and Colin Lambert, plus Carol Matthews, Chief Executive of Guinness Northern Counties, the housing association which owns the scheme.

Champagne and chocolates were presented to 96-year-old William Royle, along with his favourite tipple, a bottle of Navy Rum, for being the longest serving resident of Roeacre Court. Mr Royle has lived at the scheme since it first opened. Scheme Manager Stella Watson has also been at Roeacre court for all of its 25 years.

A buffet and champagne toast were provided for guests on Saturday July 16, with music played by the Whitworth Brass Band. The entertainment continued into the evening with a belly dancer and a DJ before Jimmy Cricket took to the floor.

Carol Matthews said: “It’s tremendous to be at Roeacre Court to celebrate 25 years of an excellent scheme with a fantastic community. This is in no small part due to the care and attention the residents and scheme gets from Stella Watson, an inspirational colleague who has been with us and the scheme since opening day.

“I’m also delighted to have the honour of presenting a token to Mr Royle who is 96 years young and has also been with us for each and every one of those 25 years. This scheme has, and still is, a great asset to the community and I’m very proud to play a very small part in the day.”

The scheme is home to 36 residents with care services provided by Guinness Care and Support.

* See more pictures from this event in the photo gallery on this website