Posts Tagged :

oldham

Stars Come Out for Francis House 10: ‘A fabulous night’ 150 150 mhamer

Stars Come Out for Francis House 10: ‘A fabulous night’

Stars come out for Francis House: my thanks to organiser Jim Nicholas for the last great ‘Gala Charity Evening’ for #francishousechildrenshospice

The 10th edition of Stars Come Out for Francis House in aid of a south Manchester hospice was also the last in the series.

Oldham’s Queen Elizabeth Hall staged Wednesday night’s finale, which was described as a “fabulous night”.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket was one of the entertainers on the night, while his friend Jim Nicholas was the compere as usual for the event.

Jimmy said that more than £250,000 has been raised through variety shows like these for Francis House over the years.

He posted on social media: “Hi friends, my thanks to organiser Jim Nicholas for the last great ‘Gala Charity Evening’ for #francishousechildrenshospice with their director (soon to retire), the Reverend #davidireland who accepted the last ‘Gala cheque’ which makes it a total of a quarter of a million raised over many years doing shows.

“Alongside onstage were fellow artistes #nicksalt and #tinasalt, known onstage as ‘Kimika’ with #petersarsfield and guitarist #justindaish 🎭 #liveperformance.”

Christine Pennington commented on Jimmy’s post: “We were there last night – it was brilliant.

“We’ve known Jim for a very long time he always puts his heart and soul into anything he does for charity 😉.

“He’s done his gala shows for a long time. also jimmy cricket you were so funny you are a lovely person as well 😄 always willing to help Jim with his shows.

“It was a fabulous night. These nights will be missed but I’m sure something else will come along.

“Thank you to everyone for their part last night.”

In addition to Jimmy’s unique brand of comedy, there were also live tribute acts.

Peter Sarsfield performed as Frankie Valli and Justin Daish was Hank Marvin.
Also starring were the laughter and music duo, Kimika.
Princess of Wales
Based in Didsbury, Francis House Children’s Hospice cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.
It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.

Sister Aloysius and Fr Thomas Mulheran set up the Rainbow Family Trust in the early 1990s as a charity.

They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short-life expectancy.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the seven-bedroom Francis House in November 1991.

Stars Come Out for Francis House show is back for 10th time 150 150 mhamer

Stars Come Out for Francis House show is back for 10th time

The Stars Come Out for Francis House show returns for a 10th time next week, with Jimmy Cricket among the performers.

The Stars Come Out for Francis House show returns next week, with Jimmy Cricket among the performers.

Jimmy and his friend Jim Nicholas, who hosts the event, are both long-standing supporters of  Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

In addition to Jimmy’s inimitable brand of comedy, there are also live tribute acts.

Peter Sarsfield performs as Frankie Valli and Justin Daish is Hank Marvin.
Also starring are the laughter and music duo, Kimika.
Stars Come Out for Francis House 10 takes place on Wednesday 16 October at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham.
It is a family show with unreserved seating.
Tickets cost £25 (with a £2.10 booking fee).
Book your tickets here.
Northern Irish entertainer Jimmy has raised more than half-a-million pounds for Francis House over the years.
That is thanks to countless touring shows and parish hall events across more than two decades.
Princess of Wales
Based in Didsbury, Francis House cares for children and young adults with life-threatening conditions.
It provides a home from home where families receive professional care, support and friendship.

Sister Aloysius and Fr Thomas Mulheran set up the Rainbow Family Trust in the early 1990s as a charity.

They were concerned about the lack of palliative care for the families of children with a short-life expectancy.

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, officially opened the seven-bedroom Francis House in November 1991.

Saddleworth show is ‘evening of laughter with legendary funnyman’ 150 150 mhamer

Saddleworth show is ‘evening of laughter with legendary funnyman’

Come 'ere, there's more! Join the legendary Irish comedian @jimmy_cricket & friends for a charity variety show supporting @FrancisHouseCH on 23 April 2022. At @millgatearts theatre in Delph Saddleworth. Tickets £12.50

Jimmy Cricket returns to a theatre in Saddleworth for another performance in aid of his favourite charity.

The ever-green Northern Irish comedian is back at the Millgate Arts Centre in Delph, Oldham, on Saturday 23 April.

It is billed as “an evening of laughter with the legendary funnyman”.

Jimmy’s wife May will be one of the acts on the night.

The show will raise money for Francis House Children’s Hospital, based in south Manchester.

Tickets are priced £12.50 and the entertainment is suitable for all ages.

Millgate Arts Centre is home to a thriving local arts community, providing a base for theatre, film, and chamber concert societies.
Additionally, it holds art exhibitions and is available for business or personal lettings.
The theatre’s website says: “The much-loved Irish comedian JIMMY CRICKET and friends are bringing a show brimming with laughter and song to the Millgate Arts Centre with the proceeds going to Francis House Children’s Hospice charity.

Jimmy will arrive equipped with one-liners galore, a sprinkling of visual comedy and, yes, that ever-present letter from his mammy!

This is the perfect show for all the family and there will be giggles aplenty during an evening of fun and frivolity.

On offer is a comedy master-class delivered by Jimmy Cricket, the legendary entertainer everyone has come to know and love.

In 2015 Jimmy Cricket was awarded a papal knighthood (Order of St. Gregory the Great) by Pope Francis for his charity work.

And there’s more…

Jimmy will be joined on stage by special guests:

JONATHAN YOUNG of John Stokes’ THE BACHELORS

More than 25 years ago, singer, songwriter and guitarist Jonathan was invited to join original band member John Stokes and has been entertaining audiences worldwide with the many hits by The Bachelors (and more) ever since.

MAY MARION

Professional singer and actual ‘Mrs Cricket’, May Marion will be entertaining us with a delightful selection of charming songs.

AARON WELBY

Saddleworth Gentleman of Style, Aaron is a two-time X Factor contestant and his unique soul swinging tones will have you calling for more.

JIM NICHOLAS

Long-standing hospice supporter and entertainer Jim Nicholas has raised over £200,000 for Francis House, winning the Pride of Manchester Award for Fundraiser of the Year in 2020. He is delighted to be back on stage to bring you some sunshine and laughter raising funds for the hospice.

“Jimmy Cricket is keeping the fans laughing”  Belfast Telegraph
“Comedian Jimmy Cricket is one of the great front of tabs comedians” The Stage
FRANCIS HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

The hospice supports more than 500 families of children and young people with life-limiting conditions from across the whole of Greater Manchester including, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Stockport, Trafford, Cheshire and Manchester.”

Book for the show here

Watch Jimmy and Jonathan promoting the show on social media

Also read on this website: Oldham show promises a night of ‘fun & frivolity’

‘I enjoyed that Cocker!’ The first time I met Bobby Ball 150 150 mhamer

‘I enjoyed that Cocker!’ The first time I met Bobby Ball

Jimmy Cricket's Lancashire Post column about the late Bobby Ball

Jimmy Cricket remembers the late, great Bobby Ball in his newspaper column for November.

Bobby, one half of the famous comedy double act Cannon and Ball, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in October aged 76.

The Oldham-born actor and comedian had tested positive for Covid-19.

Bobby had also starred in several popular sitcoms.

They included Not Going Out, Last of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

In his latest column in the Lancashire Post, Jimmy recalls his first meeting with Bobby and Tommy.

He says: “I first met Bobby Ball at the Candlelight Club in Oldham.

“I had just come off stage and my friend, the singer Jonathan Young, told me that he and his partner Tommy were standing at the bar.

“And they seemed to be enjoying my act.

“Although at that time they had not broken into television, they were a very popular act in the clubs around the country.

‘Brothers in showbusiness’

“I was keen to meet up with them, so I changed quickly and headed for the bar.

“Tommy at the time was engrossed in a conversation with someone, but Bobby Ball shook my hand warmly.

“He said to me: ‘I enjoyed that Cocker, they were a tough crowd, but you got them in the end.

“‘I loved the visual stuff that you did.'”

Jimmy also recalled: “When I found out later Bobby was a neighbour of mine in Rochdale, I rang to tell him that I had written a sketch for him and Tommy in which they played two First Aid Men.

“He invited me to his home where I met his lovely wife Yvonne.

“During our conversation he told me something that really resonated with me.

“He said to me: ‘Jimmy as you develop your on-stage character you’ll die less and less.’

”It was an incredibly insightful thing to say and I treasured the fact that he’d passed his keen knowledge of comedy on to a fellow pro.”

Jimmy finishes his column by saying: “A few months ago before it was offered funding, I tweeted about the Grand Theatre in Blackpool’s future being in doubt.

“Bobby retweeted the message.

“We were brothers in showbusiness trying to save a beautiful theatre for future generations.

“He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the entertainment industry as well as his many fans.”

Also read: Bobby Ball: An original, funny man – we all loved him

‘Wonderful news’ about Blackpool’s Grand Theatre!

Stars come out for Francis House returns to Oldham Coliseum Theatre 150 150 mhamer

Stars come out for Francis House returns to Oldham Coliseum Theatre

The latest Stars come out for Francis House show will be held at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham on Tuesday (9 April).

The Stars come out for Francis House show returns to the Oldham Coliseum Theatre on Tuesday (9 April).

This will be the eighth staging of the event, which raises funds for the Francis House Children’s Hospice in south Manchester.

This year’s line-up features popular comedian Jimmy Cricket, 60s rock band Amen Corner, multi-talented musician and singer Andy Eastwood and Peter Sarsfield’s tribute to Frankie Valli.

The event will be hosted by long-standing hospice supporter and entertainer Jim Nicholas.

Visit here to book tickets.

Oldham show promises a night of ‘fun & frivolity’ 150 150 mhamer

Oldham show promises a night of ‘fun & frivolity’

Jimmy Cricket is appearing at Saddleworth’s @MillgateArts Centre

Jimmy Cricket will be taking his Great Value For A Tenner show to Oldham later in the year.

All proceeds from the family show at the Millgate Arts Centre (Players Theatre) in Saddleworth on Saturday 19 May (7.30pm start) will go to Francis House Children’s Hospice, one of Jimmy’s favourite charities.

Tickets will be £10 and £5 for children.

Millgate Arts Centre is home to a thriving local arts community, providing a base for theatre, film, and chamber concert societies, as well as holding art exhibitions and being available for business or personal lettings.

The official promotion for the laughter show in May says: “The much-loved Irish comedian, Jimmy Cricket, brings his family-friendly comedy show for just a tenner to the Millgate Arts Centre.

“Jimmy will arrive equipped with one-liners galore, a sprinkling of visual comedy and, yes, that ever present letter from his mammy! This is the perfect show for granny and grandchild alike, as there will be giggles aplenty during an evening of fun and frivolity.

“On offer is a comedy master class delivered by a legendary entertainer everyone has come to know.”

Ticket information: Bookings can be made in person, by phone or online. The box office (at Delph Library) is open Tuesdays 2pm–5pm; Wednesdays  2pm–7pm; Thursdays 1pm-6pm and Fridays & Saturdays from 9.30am–1pm. The box office at Delph Library telephone number is 01457 874644. Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking, and we accept payment using all major credit and debit cards. You can select your seats at the time of booking. Tickets are non-refundable.

Book online here

 

Helping out at post office relaunch 150 150 mhamer

Helping out at post office relaunch

Jimmy Cricket with Michael Meacher (right) and others at the relaunch of Royton Post Office

Jimmy Cricket was only too pleased to help out an old friend at the reopening of a post office in Greater Manchester earlier this summer.

The famous Northern Ireland entertainer was invited to the special event in Oldham by Paul Couglan, who is the new franchise owner of the revamped Royton Post Office.

Paul, an acquaintance of Jimmy, already runs a successful post office at nearby Moston in north Manchester.

Also present at the relaunch was Michael Meacher, a British Labour politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Oldham West and Royton since 1997.

Jimmy said: ” I was thrilled to be able to support Paul at the start of his new venture. He has always tried to support me over the years with his new musicals and shows.

“I wish Paul all the best with Royton Post Office and hope it’s a major success.”

The event was featured in the 18 June edition of the Oldham Evening Chronicle (see image above).

  • 1
  • 2