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rochdale

A thank-you from the past 150 150 mhamer

A thank-you from the past

Pictures from the past

Jimmy Cricket is getting a big thank-you from a charity – three decades later.

The recognition comes after Jimmy appeared in the Hippodrome Theatre’s Pantomime with famous Liverpool entertainer Cilla Black back in the mid-1980s.

He recently received the following email from Matt Adams: “We are holding another charity event in aid of the Young Venturers on December 10th at the Hall Green Conservative Club, Birmingham. These nights raises enough funds to enable us to take a group of disabled children to the Pantomime in Birmingham.

“My parents, who has been raising funds for this charity for over 40 years, write to the stars of the show and asks them if they would be kind enough to spend a few minutes after the show to meet the children.

“We plan to project photos taken from the last 40+ years on the 12ft screen at the club, and whilst going through a few of the photos, I found a few of Jimmy from way back. This photo along with countless others will be projected on the night with a ‘thank you’ message.

“As my Dad always says ‘time is the most important thing you can give to anyone’ and the time Jimmy spent with ‘our’ children certainly made their night.

“I would therefore be grateful if you could thank Jimmy on behalf of us for all the smiles he has made!”

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.

Cricket and bowling on a special afternoon 150 150 mhamer

Cricket and bowling on a special afternoon

Jimmy Cricket awards the top junior prize to Kieran McGarry, alongside club president Pete Metcalf and club secretary Steve Morris

Jimmy Cricket awards the top junior prize to Kieran McGarry, with club president Pete Metcalf and secretary Steve Morris

Local comedian Jimmy Cricket was the special guest at Kirkholt Bowling Club in Rochdale when he attended the season’s finale, which the club marks with an event called President’s Sunday.

Jimmy was asked to take part in a presentation to award prizes to the club’s junior bowlers.

Naturally he could not curb his input to just giving out awards and so he also gave the club members a giggle or two. This was just the tonic as some members were preparing to re-enter the fray for the main bowling competition of the afternoon.

“It was great to pop into Kirkholt Bowling Club and support them in this way. They have a great junior set-up at the club and I was impressed at how many young people take part in the junior activities,” said Jimmy.

“I was hopeless at bowling as a youngster as I kept sticking my fingers in the wrong holes – one time I got mixed up with my Uncle Paddy because he happened to be bald!”

Club president Pete Metcalf said: “It was fantastic that Jimmy could grant us some of his time and help with this end-of-season presentation. The members present were really thrilled to see him and they all thought the experience was wonderful.

“The junior section of our club is really important to us and I am really pleased that some of our juniors have now gone on to represent Rochdale and the region.

“The Kirkholt Bowling Club continues to be a family club, so if there are any juniors in the area interested in joining us for the 2012 season, our door is always open.”

Jimmy Cricket and Friends 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket and Friends

Join Jimmy and his wife May for another great night of comedy and music on Wednesday, October 5, at St Vincent’s RC Parish Centre, off Caldershaw Road in Norden.

Admission and refreshments (tea, coffee, juice and biscuits) are free, though it is appreciated if you make a contribution to a charity which is chosen on the night.

Full details under October in the Tour Dates section

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy and The Krankies to appear in Francis House fundraiser

Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Story from The Oldham Advertiser about the charity show

Jimmy Cricket will be teaming up with other stars from the world of showbusiness in October to raise money for charity.

The legendary Irish comedian will be performing in the “Stars Come Out” show at the Oldham Coliseum as a fundraiser for the Francis House Hospice.

Also appearing will be The Krankies – very good friends of Jimmy’s – and 1960s Merseybeat band Swinging Blue Jeans.

The show will now be on October 10 and 11 after the originally-planned one-day performance was sold out.

Jimmy says: “It will be a very special show as it is not often that you find The Krankies, myself and the Swinging Blue Jeans in town and all on the same bill.

“The Francis House Children’s Hospice is a wonderful place where a lot of support and care is provided.”

Tickets are £15, with concessions £12, and are available from the box office on 0161 624 2829 or by going to the Coliseum’s website

Starring in a charity gala 150 150 mhamer

Starring in a charity gala

Carnival of Dreams posterJimmy Cricket is among the entertainers appearing in a charity gala in support of Donna’s Dream House at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool.

Carnival of Dreams will also feature Gareth Gates, Denise Nolan, Irish international singing star Rose-Marie, JK as Robbie Williams, International comedy entertainer Kenny Cantor, Aimi MacDonald, Sue Devaney (BBC’s Dinnerladies), International female impersonator Ceri Dupree, Scott Wright (Coronation Street) and the cast of Blackpool’s rock and roller coaster musical Booze Birds & Blackpool Rock, Top UK & World Elvis impersonator Martin Fox, Jamie Pugh from Britain’s Got Talent, Comical singing ventriloquist Kieran Powell, Shani Cantor, Leo Jones Star of TV’s Airline, Scottish Champions Craig Paton on the accordion and Andy Kain on the fiddle, Fylde Scottish Country Dancers, Barry Haywood, Iain Matley, and Blackpool’s very own Funny Girls, Langley Dance Centre, Mary Whelan School of Irish Dancing, Blackpool Circus School and Greater Manchester Pipe Band.

It takes place on Sunday, August 7 – full details in Jimmy’s events calendar and view the full gala poster here.

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