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mulgrew

Fund-raiser for Lourdes Easter pilgrimage 150 150 mhamer

Fund-raiser for Lourdes Easter pilgrimage

Jimmy Cricket was at St Matthew’s Parish Hall in Jarrow in Tyne and WearJimmy Cricket was especially happy to help out at a fund-raising event recently.

The famous entertainer was at St Matthew’s Parish Hall in Jarrow in Tyne and Wear for the special function, which was organised by a lady called Liz Boylan.

It was arranged in memory of Liz’s late husband who passed away last year. She wanted the proceeds of the event to go to the Lourdes Easter pilgrimage. Easter is a special time at the famous shrine in France for young disabled children.

Liz got to know Jimmy’s son, Fr Frankie, when he studied theology at Ushaw College and Durham University a few years ago during his training for the Catholic priesthood.

So it was no surprise that Jimmy bumped into some of Fr Frankie’s friends with whom he trained and who went along to St Matthew’s to support Liz and her event.

Jimmy said: “A big thanks also to all at the Bede’s Well guest house in Jarrow where I and my wife, May, stayed after the show. We both received magnificent hospitality and I cannot praise the owner Paul enough.”

The two photos accompanying this story are of Jimmy and friends at the fund-raising event.

Jimmy Cricket was at St Matthew’s Parish Hall in Jarrow in Tyne and Wear

Priest with ‘show business in his blood’ 150 150 mhamer

Priest with ‘show business in his blood’

Irish World article is about Jimmy Cricket's second son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew

The Irish World newspaper has featured a special article about Jimmy Cricket’s second son, newly ordained priest Fr Frankie Mulgrew.

It appeared in the 8 March edition of the Irish World, which is one of the main newspapers serving the Irish community in the UK.

The Irish World newspaper has featured a special article about Jimmy Cricket's second son, newly ordained priest Fr Frankie Mulgrew

Fr Frankie, who was ordained to the Roman Catholic Church last summer, and his famous entertainer-dad can be seen on page 3 of the newspaper.

The article was written by Jimmy’s friend Gerry Molumby who lives in Nottingham and reports on how Jimmy is incredibly proud of his son, Frankie, becoming a priest.

Fr Frankie  – a regular entertainer before he was ordained – is described as having “more than a little show business in his blood”.

It also provides some details about where he is currently undertaking his ministry – at the Parish of Our Lady of the Valley in East Lancashire.

The ordination service took place at Salford Cathedral on the afternoon of Saturday 13 July 2013 and was presided over by the Rt Rev Bishop Terence Brain – Bishop of Salford – and in the presence of the Rt Rev Mark Davis, Bishop of Shrewsbury.

It was a joint ordination as Frankie’s friend, Nathan Horne, was also ordained to the priesthood and so the cathedral was packed with nearly 800 people in attendance.

Fr Frankie’s first Mass was at St Vincent’s RC Church in Norden, Rochdale, the following day.

Packed show is a family affair 150 150 mhamer

Packed show is a family affair

Jimmy Cricket and Fr Frankie appeared in the Clitheroe Advertiser

Jimmy Cricket and his second son, the newly ordained Fr Frankie Mulgrew, played to a fullhouse in aid of charity recently.

Like his famous dad, Frankie is also an entertainer and went under the stage name of Frankie Doodle during his show business days.

Jimmy Cricket's wife, May Mulgrew,

Jimmy’s wife, May

He was ordained a Catholic priest in an ordination service at Salford Cathedral last summer, but still does the occasional comedy gig in aid of charity.

Jimmy, his wife May Mulgrew – who is a professional singer under the stage name of May Marion – and Fr Frankie all appeared in the concert at the end of January which was a fund-raiser for the charity Mary’s Meals.

It is an organisation which supports school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

The event was hosted at the community hall connected with the parish church where Fr Frankie is based – St John’s Catholic Church in Clitheroe.

Jimmy, who was born James Mulgrew, said: “The show played to a fullhouse, with 70 people having to be put on a waiting list for returned tickets!

“A magnificent total of £2, 250 was raised from the night for Mary’s Meals.”

The image above shows a story published in the Clitheroe Advertiser newspaper published on 6 February about the show.

May’s day 150 150 mhamer

May’s day

May and Jimmy with their good friend Bill Lees from Liverpool

May Mulgrew, the wife of well-known entertainer Jimmy Cricket, celebrated a big personal achievement recently when she was awarded a masters degree in theology at Liverpool Hope University.

Jimmy Cricket and wife May in Sefton Park, Liverpool

The award came two years after May – a professional singer who also supports Jimmy in his work – had gained a bachelor’s degree at the same university.

As she had enjoyed studying at the Merseyside university so much, she then decided to do a part-time Masters there as well.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool and Jimmy said afterwards: “Obviously this was a great occasion for May and I am really proud of her fine achievement.”

Above, May and Jimmy are pictured with their friend Bill Lees from Liverpool.

Jimmy added: “Bill helped to transport May and I around the city to the various places associated with the graduation, which was a great help to us both.”

Right, Jimmy and May – still dressed in her special university cap and gown went for a walk in the colourful Sefton Park following the ceremony and the weather was fittingly glorious.

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.

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town 150 150 mhamer

Why Jimmy is so fond of Midlands town
Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Sutton Coldfield Observer preview of Jimmy's latest performance in the town

Jimmy Cricket is to appear in a charity show in a town which has a special place in his heart.

The famous Irish comedian is performing at the Falcon Lodge Youth and Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, West Midlands, on Friday 30 March.

It means Jimmy will also be able to see his youngest son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest at nearby Oscott College.

He told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “I love that neck of the woods. I was there in November for a Help the Heroes night and I’m really looking forward to returning, both to perform and to see my son.”

The profits from the show will go to the Carpenter’s Arms Community Centre which is operated by the Sutton Central Churches Trust.

For tickets to the show, ring the Falcon Lodge centre on 0121 378 1555.

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