SPEAKER .... COMEDIENNE .... COMPERE .... ENTERTAINER
SCROLL DOWN TO DISCOVER MORE
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LADY CRABTREE AT FAIRLIGHT HALL (July 2019) and ROYAL EASTBOURNE GOLF CLUB (May 2019)
THE DOWAGER LADY CRABTREE has been entertaining
audiences since April 1978
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The doyenne of ladies' clubs and Women's Institutes, Lady Crabtree is ideally suited to the more mature audience
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IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER OR ENTERTAINER,
LADY CRABTREE CAN BE BOOKED TO:
* RAISE A LAUGH AT YOUR WI, CLUB, GROUP or SOCIETY WITH ONE OF HER AMUSING TALKS. There are currently FIVE to choose from:
1. "HOW TO GROW OLD DISGRACEFULLY "
Lady C reveals that the advancing years are to be enjoyed rather than endured.
Anyone over the age of 50 will be able to identify with many of her wry observations!
"I don't think we have ever had someone who made us laugh so much. The ladies had a wonderful time."
Gill Bird, Cardiff Ladies' Lunch Club
"The peals of laughter and the attention of the audience confirmed her huge success...an afternoon to savour."
CommunityWise Ladies Club, Eastbourne
"So many people came up to me afterwards to say how much they had enjoyed your talk... a good laugh keeps you young!"
Valerie Winstone, Stratford-upon-Avon Ladies' Lunch Club
"Many thanks for the simply fantastic entertainment you gave us.
We have had so many comments on how much everyone enjoyed your talk."
Lioness Conference, Maidstone
"I am already being bombarded with requests for a return visit!" Pat Allen, Gables Court
"I haven't laughed so much for a long time!" Jane Craig, Castle Group WI, Ringmer
"An outstanding presentation...the best we've had throughout our large District this year....absolutely excellent."
Philip Leng, Oddfellows Friendly Society, Bexhill
"A big thank you for a cracking evening, Lady Crabtree was fabulous! I've heard loads of terrific comments from folk
that were there... We definitely want her back again!" Alison Attwood, Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club
"Amongst the comments I received as our members made ready to leave were 'amazing' and 'the best speaker ever',
which of course delighted our committee." Beryl Bodey, Catsfield WI
"Having the ability to establish such a great rapport with your audience is obviously second nature to you.
It was clear you enjoyed entertaining us just as much as we enjoyed being entertained by you."
Wendy Jones, Willingdon Flower Club
"I have never heard a U3A audience laugh so much in all the years I have been organising events.
Everybody left feeling far better than when they arrived. That is a sign of
a very successful, highly executed performance." Gary Cooper, Horsham & District U3A
2. "THE DOWAGER ENTERTAINS"
Lady C gives a jocular account of her life and work, with the occasional comic monologue
thrown in for good measure. From her early days in the theatre to becoming a society hostess;
from her career in the Royal Household to her public life today... it has truly been a life of variety.
"An hour of almost non-stop laughter!" Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre
"Many thanks for such an entertaining afternoon - we haven't laughed so much for ages."
Russ Fry, West Chiltington Theatre Arts Club
3. "GREAT SOCIETY HOSTESSES"
A light-hearted but informative talk, in which Lady Crabtree speaks about some of her favourite Society Hostesses and their extravagant lifestyles.
"She enthralled us this time and so many members have asked if she can come back again to give another of her talks." Royal National Lifeboat Institute
4. "GLAD TO BE GREY"
Lady C's sequel to "How To Grow Old Disgracefully" .... another celebration of maturity and the many
advantages of getting older.
"Another great performance... I felt exhausted with laughter." Derek Mepham, Langham Hotel Lunch Club, Eastbourne
5. "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS?"
**FOR NOVEMBER - DECEMBER EVENTS**
6. "CIS - The Life & Work of Dame Cicely Courtneidge"
**In development.....only suitable for audiences that remember Cis Courtneidge (1893-1980)**
 
 
Eastbourne Herald 13th December 2013 LADY CRABTREE
* SHE CAN MAKE A TAILOR-MADE, WITTY SPEECH AT YOUR EVENT OR SPEAK AT A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
* OPEN FETES and FAIRS ..... PRESENT PRIZES or AWARDS ...... or CUT A RIBBON AT YOUR OPENING CEREMONY.....and will always draw the raffle!
* ACT AS HOSTESS or COMPERE FOR CHARITY EVENTS or CORPORATE FUNCTIONS
Eastbourne Herald, 19th Sept 2014
ADD A TOUCH OF COMIC CLASS TO YOUR EVENT
EMAIL TODAY WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS
AND DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES
connie@ladycrabtree.co.uk
LET THE FUN BEGIN !
PHOTOS FROM A FEW RECENT APPEARANCES:
Edenbridge Active Retirement Association - May 2022
 
Mannings Heath WI - May 2022
Darby & Joan Club, Crowborough - April 2022
Newhaven & Peacehaven U3A - April 2022
Hillborough House, Little Common April 2022
Horsham Weald Probus Club - March 2022
Photo (c) Karen Stafford
Patcham Flower Club - February 2022
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Chalk Farm Hotel, Willingdon - January 2022
A 90th birthday celebration
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne - Boxing Day 2021
Denton Island Indoor Bowls Club - December 2021
Eastbourne Arts Circle - December 2021
with concert and opera singer Elizabeth Muir-Lewis
Brighton Five Deans U3A - December 2021
Association of Carers - December 2021
NHS Retirement Fellowship - November 2021
Harbour Friends, Eastbourne - November 2021
RASCALS, Pevensey Bay - November 2021
 
Heartsease, Seaford - October 2021
Firle & Beddingham WI - September 2021
Wadhurst WI, 100th Anniversary - September 2021
Scaynes Hill WI - September 2021
Sandhurst Friendship Club - September 2021
Steyning & District Flower Club - August 2021
Findon Village WI - August 2021
Polegate WI - August 2021
Rye Harbour Sailability - July 2021
Fairwarp WI Birthday Meeting - March 2020
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Holbrook Horsham WI Group Meeting - February 2020
Playden WI Birthday Meeting - February 2020
Colonel Stevens Court 25th Anniversary - February 2020
Probus Shelley Annual Lunch, Horsham - January 2020
Hailsham Nightingales WI - January 2020
National Trust, Horsham - January 2020
Waldron WI - January 2020
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne - Boxing Day 2019
Arun East U3A - December 2019
Ferring Probus Club Lunch - December 2019
RAFA Lunch, Arundel - December 2019
Hailsham Rope Makers WI - December 2019
Crowborough Bereavement Support Group - December 2019
Crowborough U3A - December 2019
Willingdon Flower Club - December 2019
Association of Carers Christmas Lunch - December 2019
Kingscote WI, East Grinstead - November 2019
Lions 50th Anniversary Charter Lunch, Seaford - October 2019
Wealden Senior Citizens' Partnership - October 2019
90th Anniversary of the Townswomen's Guild - October 2019
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London & South East Region Trefoil Guild Annual Review - October 2019
Battle & District U3A - October 2019
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Forest Row WI - September 2019
Waffle Club, Rustington - September 2019
NARPO Hastings & District - August 2019
Blatchington Hill Townswomen's Guild - August 2019
Horam & Heathfield Flower Club - August 2019
Hands of Hope charity lunch - August 2019
Birthday/Anniversary Lunch, Arundel - July 2019
 
All Saints Monday Wives, Hastings - July 2019
Bexhill Seagirls WI - July 2019
ESFWI Centenary Garden Party, Fairlight Hall - July 2019
 
Southdown Strollers 20th Anniversary - July 2019
 
The Twenty-Ten Club - June 2019
Peacehaven & Telscombe Flower Club - June 2019
Edenbridge Active Retirement Association - June 2019
The Tangent Club, Horsted Place - June 2019
The Thursday Club, Sedlescombe - June 2019
Active Leisure Club, Little Common - May 2019
Heathfield U3A - May 2019
Royal Eastbourne Golf Club - May 2019
Sovereign Harbour Friends - April 2019
RASCALS Pevensey Bay - April 2019
Brighton Five Deans U3A - April 2019
Catsfield WI 1001st Birthday - April 2019
60th Wedding Anniversary Lunch - April 2019
70th Wedding Anniversary - April 2019
Chiddingly WI 100th Birthday Lunch - March 2019
Rother WI Group Meeting, Battle - March 2019
Waldron WI - March 2019
Rustington Flower Club - February 2019
Darby & Joan Club, Crowborough - February 2019
Tuesday at Friends 60th Anniversary - February 2019
Bexhill 100 Motoring Club - January 2019
Horsham U3A - January 2019
National Trust, Horsham - January 2019
 
Ladies Who Lunch - January 2019
Langham Hotel - January 2019
St Catherine's Court, Littlehampton - December 2018
Hillborough House, Little Common - December 2018
Gables Court, Eastbourne - December 2018
Robertsbridge Historical Society - December 2018
Mannings Heath WI - December 2018
Fryern Ladies Probus Club - December 2018
Lashmar Ladies WI - December 2018
NHS Retirement Fellowship - November 2018
Meads WI - November 2018
Cardiff Ladies' Lunch Club - November 2018
Random Hall Hotel, Slinfold - November 2018
Eastbourne Business Awards - November 2018
with Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd
The Trefoil Guild, Heathfield - October 2018
Rustington WI - October 2018
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St Mary's Church, Willingdon, Harvest Supper - October 2018
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Sainsbury's Veterans Association - October 2018
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Horsham Flower Club Emerald Anniversary - October 2018
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Hellingly WI 100th Anniversary - October 2018
 
West Adur WI Group Meeting - September 2018
University of Dundee Reunion Dinner - September 2018
Forest Row WI - September 2018
Hillborough House, Little Common - September 2018
Willingdon Floral Club Emerald Anniversary - September 2018
Mannings Heath Horticultural Society - September 2018
West Chiltington Theatre Arts Club - September 2018
Crowborough Evening Townswomen's Guild - September 2018
Battle & District U3A - September 2018
RAF Association, Hailsham - August 2018
Thalia House, Bexhill - August 2018
 
Second Hartley & District Active Retirement Association - August 2018
SHADARA
Sandhurst Friendship Club - August 2018
Edenbridge U3A - July 2018
Forum Society 60th Anniversary - July 2018
British Legion, Little Common - July 2018
Findon Village WI - July 2018
Barclay's Bank Spread Eagles Club Lunch, Eastbourne - July 2018
Chiddingly WI 100th Anniversary - July 2018
Sainsbury's Veterans Association, Crawley - June 2018
 
Sidley Friendship Group - June 2018
East Preston Festival - June 2018
80th Birthday Dinner, Hydro Hotel - May 2018
 
Hailsham & District Flower Club 60th Anniversary - May 2018
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Warnham WI 100th Anniversary - May 2018
Jewish Association of Cultural Societies - May 2018
Ham Manor Golf Club - April 2018
Angmering Green WI - April 2018
Crowborough U3A - April 2018
Polegate Sundowners WI - April 2018
Under Ground Theatre - April 2018
 
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St Wilfrid's Pevensey Bay - April 2018
Hailsham FM Radio - April 2018
Double Golden Wedding Anniversary Lunch - March 2018 
Ferring Downs WI - March 2018
The Earl Okin Show - February 2018
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Rushlake Green WI - February 2018
Eastbourne Rambling Club - February 2018
Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing - February 2018
National Federation of Occupational Pensioners
Cinque Ports Club, Uckfield - January 2018
 
RNLI, Eastbourne - January 2018
 
Burwash Ladies Group - January 2018
Ladies Who Lunch, Highwoods Golf Club - January 2018
 
Langham Hotel, Eastbourne - Boxing Day 2017
 
Meads Ladies Circle - December 2017
Conquest Hospital, Hastings - December 2017
RAF Lunch, Arundel - December 2017
 
Midhurst Garden Club - December 2017
 
Mayfield Bonfire Society - December 2017
East Preston Floral Club 50th Anniversary Lunch - November 2017
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Crowborough Wolfe Bowls Club - November 2017
 
After 8 Club, Burwash - November 2017
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ChatterBex Club, Bexhill - October 2017
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Centenary of WI in Sussex - Crowborough - October 2017
Catsfield WI - October 2017
 
Friends of Clapham & Patching Churches - September 2017
 
WI Group Meeting, Durrington - September 2017
Tuesday at Friends, Brighton - September 2017
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Oddfellows Society, Tunbridge Wells branch - September 2017
 
Parkinson's UK, Worthing branch - August 2017
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80th Birthday Lunch, Cooden Beach Golf Club - August 2017
45th Wedding Anniversary Lunch, Seaford - July 2017
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Go-Getters Club, Uckfield - July 2017
Active Leisure Club, Little Common - July 2017
 
Hydro Hotel - July 2017
Friends of Devonshire Park Theatre - June 2017
Hastings & Rother U3A - June 2017
East Preston Festival - June 2017
 
Devonshire Park Townswomen's Guild - May 2017
 
St Wilfrid's Pevensey - May 2017
 
Adur East Lions Club - May 2017
South Down WI Group Meeting - April 2017
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Hampden Park Bowls Club - April 2017
Fairwarp WI - April 2017
Crowborough WI - March 2017
Clair Hall, Haywards Heath - March 2017
 
Christ Church, Eastbourne - March 2017
 
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club - February 2017
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Devonshire Club, Eastbourne - February 2017
Rustington Manor Hotel - February 2016
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RNLI - January 2017
Ferring WI 80th Birthday - December 2016
95th Birthday Lunch, Horsebridge - December 2016
Private soiree, Langney - December 2016
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40th Wedding Anniversary Lunch - November 2016
Gables Court, Eastbourne - November 2016
 
Thalia House, Bexhill - November 2016
Meads U3A - October 2016
Riverside Club, Lewes - October 2016
Cardiac Support Group, Eastbourne - October 2016
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Langham Hotel Lunch Club - October 2016
Herstmonceux WI - October 2016
East Blatchington Townswomen's Guild, Seaford - October 2016
Oddfellows Society, Bexhill - September 2016
Bexhill Down Townswomen's Guild - September 2016
Bexhill 100 Motoring Club - August 2016
Sidley Friendship Club - August 2016
The Hawthorns - August 2016
Barclay's Bank Spread Eagle Club lunch - July 2016
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Joyce Barrette 80th Birthday Tea - July 2016
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne - July 2016
Photo: Hannah Francis
Active Leisure Club, Little Common - June 2016
 
Harbour WI - June 2016
 
Willingdon WI - June 2016
West St Leonard's Townswomen's Guild - May 2016
 
Regency Group WI Spring Meeting - May 2016
 
Little Common WI Birthday Meeting - March 2016
 
Meads Ladies Circle - March 2016
Little Common Horticultural Society - March 2016
Ladies Who Lunch, Bexhill - March 2016
Polegate WI - March 2016
Cross-in-Hand WI - February 2016
 
Cardiff Ladies' Lunch Club - February 2016
 
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club - February 2016
Sussex County Cricket Ground, Hove - January 2016
 
East Dean Village Hall - January 2016
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The Hawthorns, Eastbourne - January 2016
Golden Marigold Club, Bexhill - December 2015
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Stratford-Upon-Avon Ladies' Lunch - December 2015
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Westham WI Christmas Party - December 2015
 
Patcham WI Christmas Party - December 2015
 
Pevensey Castle Masonic Dinner - December 2015
The younger generation are in a world of their own !!
 
Ladies' Executive Lunch, Rochford - December 2015
 
The Hawthorns, Eastbourne - November 2015
 
Meads WI - November 2015
 
Gildredge Park Bowls Club Lunch - October 2015
Harbour Friends Lunch - October 2015
 
Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes - September 2015
Anderida WI - September 2015
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100th Anniversary of Women's Institute in UK - September 2015
 
Maples Court, Bexleyheath - July 2015
Barclay's Bank Spreadeagles Lunch, Wickwoods Country Club - July 2015
Healthy Living Centre, Worthing, July 2015
 
Devonshire Park Townswomen's Guild - July 2015
Telscombe Cliffs WI's 80th Birthday - July 2015
Oddfellows Friendly Society, Bexhill - June 2015
Butt's Brow WI, Willingdon - June 2015
  
Little Common Communty Centre 70th Anniversary Dinner - June 2015
 
Bexhill Down Townswomen's Guild 50th Anniversary - May 2015
Thalia House, Bexhill - April 2015
 
Castle Group WI, Ringmer - April 2015
 
Southdown Group WI Spring Meeting, Hove - April 2015
  
Bexhill 100 Classic Car Club - March 2015
 
Shirley & Colin Nash's 60th Wedding Anniversary
Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne - March 2015
Waiting for the chauffeur to take her to the hotel
Gables Court - February 2015
  
Lioness Conference, Maidstone - February 2015
 
East Dean Village Hall Trust, "An Evening with Lady Crabtree" - January 2015
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The Twenty-Ten Club, Little Common, January 2015
 
Meet & Greet Lunch for Carers, Seaford - December 2014
 
Sovereign WI - December 2014
 
Lewes Westgate WI - December 2014
 
Meads Townswomen's Guild - December 2014
  
Kingston WI - December 2014
 
Catenian Association Dinner - December 2014
 
Bexhill Horticultural Society - November 2014
 
St Wilfrid's Hospice 30th Anniversary Lunch - October 2014
 
The MORE Club, Eastbourne - October 2014
  
Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes, Eastbourne - September 2014
  
Trefoil Guild, Heathfield - September 2014
Under Ground Theatre, Old Time Music Hall - September 2014
 
St Michael's Hospice, Hastings - August 2014
  
Concentus Chorale - August 2014
 
WWI Centenary Show, Under Ground Theatre - July 2014
  
East Grinstead Meridian WI - July 2014
 
Eastbourne Area Epilepsy Group - June 2014
  
  
Buxted Court, Buxted - April 2014
  
  
Telscombe Cliffs Civic Centre - April 2014
 
East Sussex WI Spring Meeting, Lewes - April 2014
Polegate Afternoon Fellowship - March 2014
  
Gables Court, Eastbourne - February 2014
R N L I, Eastbourne - January 2014
 
Meads WI - November 2013
 
 
Sovereign Rotary Club Dinner, Chatsworth Hotel - October 2013
 
 
CommunityWise Ladies' Club - October 2013
 
The Good Life Show, Winter Garden Theatre, Eastbourne - October 2013
Edwards Coaches Lunch, Langham Hotel - September 2013
 
FOR A FULL SELECTION OF LADY CRABTREE PICTURES FROM ACROSS THE YEARS
CLICK ON PHOTO ALBUMS
THE DOWAGER LADY CRABTREE is a comedy character created in
April 1978 by author and entertainer Paul James -
although don't spoil it for your audience by revealing the secret!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN......
In the Summer of 1976 PAUL JAMES was introduced to the comedy double act of Patrick Fyffe and George Logan - HINGE & BRACKET - and was inspired by this extremely clever female impersonation, where the line between reality and make-believe became blurred. He saw many of their live performances over the next twenty-five years, met Patrick on numerous occasions, and in 1985 Dame Hilda Bracket wrote the Foreword to one of Paul's books. Today Paul is very proud to own two of Dame Hilda's original stage costumes.
HINGE & BRACKET
Dr Evadne Hinge & Dame Hilda Bracket
http://www.hingeandbracketofficial.co.uk/
 
It was while appearing in cabaret in 1978 that Paul James decided to create his own character - and Lady Crabtree made her first public appearance. Originally intended to be a single performance only, Paul was surprised by the audience demand to see more of Lady C - and so the act began to develop.
   1980  1990  2013
Wanting Lady Crabtree to be as credible as Hinge & Bracket, yet completely different in style and character, he avoided their cosy nostalgia and made Lady C very much a woman of her times. The redoubtable Lady Crabtree told stories of her marital problems with husband Claude (chairman of the mid-Yorkshire Swine Breeders' Federation); the difficulties she had encountered on marrying into the aristocracy; the embarrassment caused by her twin sister Millicent (currently on husband number five), and was not afraid to air her views about public figures - especially when Mrs Thatcher entered Downing Street in 1979.
Although Lady Crabtree occasionally sang, there was a deliberate attempt to avoid comparison with Hinge & Bracket and she lacked Dame Hilda's incredible operatic skills. Lady C was much more likely to launch into a Joyce Grenfell style monologue... plus she was just a touch more glamorous.
  
Various invitations soon came in and Lady Crabtree judged a fancy dress competition and a beauty contest in Devon; made a presentation to Sir Anthony Harris (the son of 'Bomber' Harris) in London, and by 1982 had appeared on a celebrity panel game for BBC Radio 2, had undertaken many press interviews for newspapers and magazines, continued to perform in hotels, and frequently aired her views in the media. She made her first TV appearance on the popular BBC 1 programme 'Pebble Mill at One' , and wrote two books that became international best-sellers, for which she made extensive promotional tours across the UK and undertook the inevitable bookshop signings at well-known stores in towns and cities across the country.
The act developed further when Lady Crabtree was joined on stage by her son GILES CRABTREE in 1984, followed a year later by her old chum from Finishing School days MORAG AUCHTERMUCHTY.
Since 1991 Lady Crabtree has performed mostly as a solo act. She appears at a variety of functions each year, entertaining a number of clubs groups and societies, is regularly booked to appear at special events and anniversaries, and is a popular speaker giving many talks and loves acting as compere at events.
With clean, genteel humour, reminiscences and no offensive language, Lady Crabtree brings merriment to any occasion.
IF THE QUEEN ISN'T FREE, THEN BOOK LADY C....
Paul James Lady Crabtree
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ADD A TOUCH OF COMIC CLASS TO YOUR EVENT
EMAIL TODAY WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS
AND DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES
connie@ladycrabtree.co.uk
LET THE FUN BEGIN !
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