C'mere, there's more...

Name

James Mulgrew

Profile name

Jimmy Cricket

Occupation

Comedian

Is this your own enterprise?

Yes

How many years have you been doing this job?

Well let's see... About 44 years. 

How did it all start?

I was a Redcoat at Butlins It was a great PR exercise and you learnt how to be friendly and engage with everyone you meet. 

What does the job involve?

Doing your act is the big thing but there are lots of background work which you normally don't get to see such as rehearsing and practising. You have to keep your act fresh. At the moment I'm doing The Jimmy Cricket Show. It helps to be married as Mrs Cricket helps out with the Lighting and Sound, otherwise I couldn't afford it. 

What qualifications do you need?

You have to have a natural talent that shows it's'self really well. I used to sing and tell jokes as a young child which can give an indication to family and friends about who you are and what you want to do. When I was young I used to hear a radio show called Workers Playtime which was done by the BBC. I wish there was more of that as it was great for morale and a fabulous idea. I would hear the jokes during dinner time and then tell everyone in the afternoon at school. In fact it was dinner times that prepared me more for my career than school ever did. But of course you have to learn things for yourself and develop the act as you progress. 

What’s the best part of the job?

I love to bring so much happiness and really love it when the the crowd enjoy themselves, It's a great feeling. I'm currently performing at The Lyndene Hotel in Blackpool and really enjoy it when you are with a live audience. 

What’s the worst part of the job?

I don't like doing the travelling but then having said that it's not too bad as Mrs Cricket and I share the driving. There's places we know and stop off so we try and make it as enjoyable as possible. The Winter's not too great but it's still nice to look all around at the scenery and now of course we are in Spring so everything is starting to bloom. 

What advice would you give to someone who was looking to do this as a career?

If your heart's in it and you have the talent then persevere. Hang in there. Start by getting your first 10 or 20 minute routines in front of an audience and go for it. 

And as you are someone who is in the public eye, you get an extra special Question… What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted someone to ask you but they never have? And what would be your answer?

(At this point Jimmy pauses and looks away from the camera for a second) Hmmmmm, he says, After 44 years I've pretty much covered everything. I play the saxophone so like to play my own songs in the act. In the early days I used to squeak a lot and it sounded terrible but it's getting better. I played Happy Birthday down the phone to Tim Vine for his 50th birthday and said it was to help me practice. I think he appreciated it. 

The official Jimmy Cricket website which includes his tour dates, Tweets and copies of the Cricket Times can be found here.

About the interviewer:

David Walker spent over thirty years working as a technician with the Theatre, Film and TV industry before deciding to change career and move into journalism. He studied with the BCJ and received his Diploma in 2016. Now he works freelance covering online, print and radio broadcast. His specialist areas are Motorsport, Travel, The Arts and the Mars One Project, although he is never afraid to try anything new and relishes a challenge wherever possible. 

To contact David please email davidwalkerfj@gmail.com 

Click here for David’s LinkedIn profile.

Click here if you want to take part in this blog.

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Actor and Voiceover Artist

Name

David Wayman

Profile name

David Wayman

Occupation

Actor and Voice over artist.

Is this your own enterprise?

Yes

How many years have you been doing this job?

I've been doing voice over work since graduating drama school which is about 8 years now. 

How did it all start?

I’ve always wanted to be an actor and never really grew out of it. I love performing to a live crowd. I applied and got into East 15 Acting School and then graduated 2009. I've now got an agent Patrick Hambleton who helps me get work. 

What does the job involve?

In general it's a case of showing up, delivering your lines and crying on cue. The real work however is trying to find work as it can be incredibly difficult. You have to be able to prove what you can bring to the table over other actors in order to get a job. I also do a large amount of production work but It’s taken me until around about now where I start to have work come to me.

What qualifications do you need?

You don’t technically need any qualifications but it helps if you have some form of acting qualification as you need to be taken seriously. Anyone with a phone can now make films but I would strongly argue the case to become a trained actor and get a degree. doing the course gives you a huge amount of discipline especially if you are tired but have to get up and do a full day's training. However, it's worth it to go out and take the three years and do it. Talent gets you a long way but training really is the key. With the voice over work you may only get a script ten minutes before you read it, so having to sight read is an advantage. I have my own studio and can work remotely so that helps turn things around quickly which is very much the way in which the industry is going nowadays. 

What’s the best part of the job?

For me it’s the process and I love working with actors and film crews. I love technology and gadgets so I get a real buzz talking to the crew.

What’s the worst part of the job?

Not working and waiting for the phone to ring. Especially when you have just finished a job. It can be a very scary concept not knowing when your next paycheck is coming in.

What advice would you give to someone who was looking to do this as a career?

The best thing I was told is never take your foot off the pedal and never do anything by half. It’s very uncertain profession and lots of people say no but if you can rise above all of that then you are in the right job. 

About the interviewer:

David Walker spent over thirty years working as a technician with the Theatre, Film and TV industry before deciding to change career and move into journalism. He studied with the BCJ and received his Diploma in 2016. Now he works freelance covering online, print and radio broadcast. His specialist areas are Motorsport, Travel, The Arts and the Mars One Project, although he is never afraid to try anything new and relishes a challenge wherever possible.

To contact David please email davidwalkerfj@gmail.com

Click here for David’s LinkedIn profile.

Click here if you want to take part in this blog.

Helping others where they need it

Name

Lucy Duffy

Profile name

The Trussell Trust

Occupation

Salisbury food bank Manager

Is this your own enterprise?

No – I work for the Trussell Trust

How many years have you been doing this job?

I've been here for just over a year but Salisbury food bank has been going for twenty years.

How did it all start?

I’ve always worked in communications and dealing with the public and I used to organise and manage volunteers. I was a manager of a community centre and coffee shop where I worked with people who had lifestyle difficulties / low income or difficult home lives. They used the coffee shop and facilities which helped me to gain more experience in these areas. Ultimately it led me to be interested in this job which offered the same service but being more proactive. I like it because I was attracted to being able to support and educate people with cooking and budgeting as well as help them out by offering holiday clubs.

What does the job involve?

On a day to day basis I manage around 50 volunteers in the food bank centres and warehouse, overseeing the practical day to day operation of food banks. I liaise with various agencies who act as referrals for the support that we give and help promote what is available for clients. I run cooking on a budget courses which are held over 6 weeks for clients to learn how to budget and cook from scratch. As well as help them to manage their money. It's a very busy and full time occupation as we also run holiday clubs for children and parents, provide hot meals and work with councils and welfare organisations. They help to promote our services and equip the community to support each other. Then I have to liaise with the media and produce newsletters to keep the public updated. Finally I organise collections of food from supermarkets and local groups in order to distribute to those who need it. 

What qualifications do you need?

You need less of a formal qualification and more of an experience. You have to have good public and IT skills and be quite organisational. It helps if you are able to speak in public as I usually give around thirty assemblies. You do however need to be good at budgeting and financial management.

What’s the best part of the job?

The ultimate goal of the job is to support the needs of the community. To be able to do that and see how people’s lives can be changed - if only for a short time, is what keeps you going. Knowing the impact you have on individuals and families in a positive way and the relationships you build are fantastic. In the last financial year we provided over 3000 emergency three day food supplies of which from that figure, more than a 1000 went to children. 

What’s the worst part of the job?

Unfortunately you get to hear all too often the stories of people living in cars or without basic provision that most people take for granted. It can be quite heartbreaking. 

What advice would you give to someone who was looking to do this as a career?

Take up voluntary work and get experience on the ground as well as making the operation work behind the scenes. Work with charities who support the community. Get used to talking with an audience. Or help organise events with charities and get involved. 

About the interviewer:

David Walker spent over thirty years working as a technician with the Theatre, Film and TV industry before deciding to change career and move into journalism. He studied with the BCJ and received his Diploma in 2016. Now he works freelance covering online, print and radio broadcast. His specialist areas are Motorsport, Travel, The Arts and the Mars One Project, although he is never afraid to try anything new and relishes a challenge wherever possible.

To contact David please email davidwalkerfj@gmail.com

Click here for David’s LinkedIn profile.

Click here if you want to take part in this blog.