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salford

‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’ 150 150 mhamer

‘Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie’

Jimmy Cricket's latest monthly column in the Lancashire Evening Post

Jimmy Cricket relived his wedding day 40 years on in his latest column for the Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post.

The famous entertainer  is headlining Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Charter Theatre in Preston – where he made his pantomime debut in 1981 – over the Christmas and New Year period.

When the Lancashire Evening Post contacted Jimmy through his website editor Martin Hamer – former digital editor at the LEP – about the idea of a monthly feature in the run-up to the panto, he thought it was a “very flattering request”.

And his most recent column recalls the happy memories from 1974 – and how he celebrated his ruby anniversary.

Jimmy also talks about the pantomime, which will be directed by Freddie ‘Parrot Face’ Davies who found fame in the 1960s on Opportunity Knocks when it was watched by an astonishing 20 million people.

“Nobody tells a budgie joke like Freddie,” laughs Jimmy in his column.

Renewing wedding vows 40 years on 150 150 mhamer

Renewing wedding vows 40 years on

Jimmy and May Cricket celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with all the family

It was a family occasion in more ways than one when Jimmy Cricket and his wife May celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary recently.

Jimmy and May Cricket got married at St Joseph’s Catholic church in Bury on 25 September 1974They got married at St Joseph’s Catholic church in Bury on 25 September 1974 (photo right) and, 40 years and three days later, they renewed their vows at St Mary’s, Sabden in East Lancashire (below left).

And the priest who took the Sabden service was none other than the couple’s younger son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew.

Close family (above) attended the service, which was followed by a special celebratory dinner at the nearby Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley in the Ribble Valley.

Jimmy and May Cricket renewed their vows on Saturday 27 September at St Mary’s, Sabden in East LancashireJoining both Jimmy and May for their special day of celebrations were all four of their children: Dale, Frankie, Jamie and Katie.

Also present were daughter-in-law, Philippa, and son-in-law, Lee.

Jimmy and May’s grandchildren made their presence known during the day as both Tristan and Lorelai participated in this joyous occasion.

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.

Festive Liz gets Wellie award 150 150 mhamer

Festive Liz gets Wellie award

Jimmy Cricket with marketing manager Liz CooperA lady who gave Jimmy Cricket and his panto colleagues a great Christmas send-off is the January winner of the Golden Wellie award.

Liz Cooper is the marking manager at the Forum Theatre in Billingham where the famous Northern Irish entertainer appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs over the festive period.

Jimmy said: “Liz went above the call of duty on Christmas Eve and decorated with festive trimmings the dressings rooms occupied by the cast of the pantomime. She was ably abetted in this feat by her daughter.

“In 25 years of doing pantos across the UK, this is the first time that I have encountered the theatre’s staff going to the length of ensuring the cast have a Christmas send-off  and this special gesture certainly got everyone into the Christmas spirit.”

Jimmy, whose festively decorated panto dressing room is pictured below, was so impressed and grateful for what Liz had done that he wanted to acknowledge her efforts by awarding her the Golden Wellington (above).

Jimmy Cricket's panto dressing room

Charity efforts earn PCSO special award 150 150 mhamer

Charity efforts earn PCSO special award

Janet, Jim, Jimmy Cricket and AndreaA Greater Manchester police community support officer is the latest winner of Jimmy Cricket’s Golden Wellie award.

Janet (pictured on the left in the photo above with Jimmy and his good friend Jim Nicholas) recently organised a charity event for the Francis House Children’s Club at the Hough End Police Club in South Manchester.

The other lady in the photo is Andrea who works for Barclays Bank; she had arranged for her organisation to match the money raised by Janet pound for pound.

Rochdale-based entertainer Jimmy said: “PCSO Janet went to a magnificent effort in organising this event; she not only sold tickets around her beat in Swinton in Salford, but placed adverts throughout all the police stations of Manchester!

“The event raised around £1,500, and for her fine efforts and determination to make this event a success, I presented PCSO Janet with this Golden Wellie award.”

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is… 150 150 mhamer

Latest Golden Wellie award winner is…

Jimmy Cricket with Golden Wellie award winner Sarah the postwomanThe latest Golden Wellie award winner is Sarah the postwoman whose round include Jimmy Cricket’s cottage in Rochdale.

Ever since Sarah started to deliver to Jimmy’s house, the well-known comedian has been very impressed with her positive demeanour, cheerful personality and feel-good attitude.

He feels it certainly helps when she is out and about delivering to households and customers.

“She even makes bills more palatable!” joked Jimmy.

The Northern Irishman, who presented the award (above) outside his cottage, wanted to thank Sarah for being such a great advert for the postal service!

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday 150 150 mhamer

How Jimmy celebrated his birthday

Jimmy Cricket, with his birthday cake, Jim Nicholas and the local organising committee for the eventJimmy Cricket celebrated his latest birthday doing exactly what he likes the most – performing at a show for one of his favourite charities.

The famous entertainer took to the stage on Thursday 17 October, at a fundraiser for the Francis House Children’s Hospice at St Joseph’s Parish Centre in Little Hulton, Salford.

Seen above is Jimmy, with his birthday cake, alongside Jim Nicholas – the DJ who is ever present at his Francis House fundraisers and is in his Elvis costume – and surrounded by the local organising committee for this event.

Jimmy said: “I had a tremendous time and what better way to celebrate my birthday than doing the very thing I love the most – performing!”