SPEAKER ....  COMEDIENNE ....  HOSTESS  ....  ENTERTAINER

                        SCROLL DOWN TO DISCOVER MORE

          

 The doyenne of ladies' clubs and Women's Institutes, Lady Crabtree is ideally suited to the more mature audience

         

 IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER OR ENTERTAINER, 

* ACT AS HOSTESS or COMPERE FOR CONCERTS, CHARITY EVENTS or CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

                                                                                                      Eastbourne Herald, 19th Sept 2014

* OPEN FETES and FAIRS ..... PRESENT PRIZES  or AWARDS ......  or CUT A RIBBON AT YOUR OPENING CEREMONY

* GROUPS OF 30 OR MORE CAN HAVE "AFTERNOON TEA WITH LADY C" or "LUNCH WITH LADY C" AT THE LANGHAM HOTEL, EASTBOURNE; A PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES A FIRST CLASS TEA or LUNCH AND A 45 MINUTE ENTERTAINMENT FROM THE DOWAGER FOR AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE - Call 01323 731451 for details and to discuss your requirements. For lunch or afternoon tea prices click:   http://www.ladycrabtree.co.uk/page7.php

Some recent Lady Crabtree appearances:
22nd January 2013 - Polegate Wine & Social Club, Polegate Community Centre
24th May 2013 - Inner Wheel President's Night Dinner, Royal Eastbourne Golf Club
26th July 2013 - TV interview for the "Scott Spears Now" programme
12th September 2013 - Edwards Coaches Lunch, Langham Hotel
2nd October 2013 - The Good Life Show, Winter Garden, Eastbourne
2nd October 2013 - Langham Hotel Ladies' Lunch Club
3rd October 2013 - Edwards Coaches Lunch, Langham Hotel
29th October 2013 - CommunityWise Ladies' Club 
31st October 2013 - Sovereign Rotary Club, Chatsworth Hotel, Eastbourne
26th November 2013 - Meads WI, Eastbourne
10th January 2014 - RNLI, Eastbourne
27th February 2014 - Gables Court, Eastbourne
11th March 2014 - Polegate Tuesday Fellowship, Polegate
26th March 2014 - Bay Wives Group, Pevensey
2nd April 2014 - WI 'Spring Group Meeting', Lewes
26th April 2014 - Carers For People, Civic Centre, Telscombe Cliffs
30th April 2014 - Buxted Court, Buxted 
16th June 2014 - Eastbourne Area Epilepsy Group, Afton Hotel, Eastbourne
8th July 2014 - East Grinstead Meridian WI         
19th July 2014 - Under Ground Theatre, Eastbourne, WWI Centenary Show       
26th July 2014 - Under Ground Theatre, Eastbourne, WWI Centenary Show
17th August 2014 - Concentus Chorale
24th August 2014 - St Michael's Hospice, Hastings - Afternoon Tea with Lady C
13th September 2014 - Under Ground Theatre 'Lady Crabtree & Friends': Music Hall 
17th September 2014 - Heathfield Trefoil Guild
26th September 2014 - Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes, Eastbourne
21st October 2014 - The M.O.R.E Club, Eastbourne
22nd October 2014 - Edwards Coaches lunch, Langham Hotel
23rd October 2014 - St Wilfrid's Hospice 30th Anniversary Lunch
29th November 2014 - Bexhill Horticultural Society
3rd December 2014 - Catenian Association Dinner
4th December 2014 - Kingston WI
5th December 2014 - Meads Afternoon Townswomen's Guild
10th December 2014 - Lewes Westgate WI, Lewes
11th December 2014 - Sovereign WI, Eastbourne
20th December 2014 - Meet & Greet Christmas Lunch, Seaford
7th January 2015 - St John's Guild, Eastbourne
9th January 2015 - Royal National Lifeboat Institute
15th January 2015 - The Twenty-Ten Club, Little Common
24th January 2015 - East Dean & Friston Village Hall Trust
21st February 2015 - Lioness Conference, Maidstone
23rd February 2015 - Gables Court, Eastbourne
26th March 2015 - 60th Wedding Anniversary, Cumberland Hotel
27th March 2015 - Bexhill 100 Classic Car Club
7th April 2015 - Southdown Group WI Spring Meeting, Hove
17th April 2015 - Castle Group WI, Ringmer
30th April 2015 - Thalia House, Bexhill
12th May 2015 - Polegate Ladies Circle
13th May 2015 - Bexhill Down Townswomen's Guild 50th Anniversary
27th May 2015 - Coffee Corner Afternoon Tea
15th June 2015 - Wivelsfield WI
19th June 2015 - Little Common Community Association, 70th Anniversary Dinner
25th June 2015 - Butts Brow WI
27th June 2015 - Oddfellows, Bexhill Conservative Club
8th July 2015 - Telscombe Cliffs WI 80th Anniversary Tea, Langham Hotel
15th July 2015 - Devonshire Park Townswomen's Guild
17th July 2015 - Healthy Living Centre, Worthing
22nd July 2015 - Barclay's Spread Eagles Club Lunch, Wickwoods Country Club, Albourne
6th August 2015 - Maples Care Home, Bexleyheath
16th September 2015 - Harbour WI, Centenary of WI 1915-2015
22nd September 2015 - Anderida WI, St Wilfrid's Hall, Pevensey
25th September 2015 - Queen Alexandra Cottage Homes, Eastbourne
1st October 2015 - Harbour Friends Lunch, Eastbourne
7th October 2015 - Gildredge Park Bowls Club Lunch, Eastbourne
13th November 2015 - Riverside Club, Lewes
24th November 2015 - Meads WI, Eastbourne
25th November 2015 - The Hawthorns, Eastbourne
2nd December 2015 - Ladies' Executive Club Lunch, Rochford
7th December 2015 - Pevensey Castle Masonics Lodge Dinner
9th December 2015 - Patcham WI Christmas Party
10th December 2015 - Westham WI Christmas Party
17th December 2015 - Ladies' Lunch, Falcon Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
21st December 2015 - Golden Marigold Club, Bexhill
6th January 2016 - The Hawthorns, Eastbourne "The Dowager Returns"
23rd January 2016 - East Dean "Great Society Hostesses  "
31st January 2016 - Sussex County Cricket Ground, Hove 
6th February 2016 - Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, Eastbourne
15th February 2016 - Cardiff Ladies' Lunch Club, Hilton Hotel, Cardiff
24th February 2016 - Cross-in-Hand WI
3rd March 2016 - Polegate WI Afternoon Tea
7th March 2016 - Ladies Who Lunch, Highwoods Golf Club, Bexhill
11th March 2016 - Little Common Horticultural Society
16th March 2016 - Little Common WI Birthday Meeting
18th March 2016 - Meads Ladies' Circle
6th May 2016 - Regency Group WI Spring Meeting
11th May 2016 - West St Leonard's Townswomen's Guild
9th June 2016 - Willingdon WI
13th June 2016 - Harbour WI, Queen's 90th Birthday celebration
14th June 2016 - Active Leisure Club, Little Common
3rd July 2016 - Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne
20th July 2016 - Barclay's Bank Spread Eagle Club Lunch, Hove
26th July 2016 - Langney WI 
30th July 2016 - Private function - 80th Birthday tea, Langham Hotel
11th August 2016 - The Hawthorns, Eastbourne
15th August 2016 - Sidley Friendship Group
26th August 2016 - Bexhill 100 Motoring Club
14th September 2016 - Bexhill Down Townswomen's Guild
24th September 2016 - Oddfellows Society, Bexhill
6th October 2016 - Eastbourne Masonic Friendship Club
11th October 2016 - East Blatchington Townswomen's Guild
14th October 2016 - Riverside Club, Lewes
18th October 2016 - Barclay's Spread Eagles Club Lunch, Eastbourne 
19th October 2016 - Herstmonceux WI Birthday Meeting
20th October 2016 - Langham Hotel Lunch Club, Eastbourne
26th October 2016 - Cardiac Support Goup, Eastbourne
28th October 2016 - Meads U3A, Eastbourne
1st November 2016 - Thalia House, Bexhill
3rd November 2016 - Gables Court, Eastbourne
28th November 2016 - 40th Wedding Anniversary Lunch, Eastbourne
2nd December 2016 - Private function, Langney
3rd December 2016 - Private function, 95th Birthday Lunch, Horsebridge
14th December 2016 - Ferring WI 80th Birthday Meeting, Ferring
13th January 2017 - RNLI, Eastbourne
16th February 2017 - Ladies Who Lunch, Rustington Manor Hotel
24th February 2017 - Devonshire Club, Eastbourne
25th February 2017 - Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club
2nd March 2017 - Cranbrook Business Association lunch
6th March 2017 - Nat Assoc of Flower Arrangement Societies, Haywards Heath
14th March 2017 - Crowborough Vale WI Birthday Meeting
25th March 2017 - Christ Church, Eastbourne
4th April 2017 - Horam WI
7th April 2017 - Ladies' Luncheon, Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne
11th April 2017 - Fairwarp WI
12th April 2017 - Robertsbridge WI
24th April 2017 - Mile Oak WI, Group Meeting 
26th April 2017 - Hampden Park Bowls Club Dinner
11th May 2017 - Sainsbury's Veterans Association
17th May 2017 - Devonshire Park Townswomen's Guild
21st May 2017 - St Wilfrid's Hall, Pevensey Bay
27th May 2017 - Adur East Lions Club, Southwick
5th June 2017 - East Preston Festival
25th June 2017 - Friends of Devonshire Park Theatre
26th June 2017 - Hastings & Rother U3A
9th July 2017 - Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne
11th July 2017 - Active Leisure Club, Bexhill
28th July 2017 - Go-Getters Club, Uckfield
29th July 2017 - Private function - 45th Wedding Anniversary Lunch, Seaford
5th August 2017 - Private function - 80th Birthday Lunch, Cooden Beach Golf Club
19th August 2017 - Parkinson's UK, Worthing branch
16th September 2017 - Oddfellows Society, Bexhill
19th September 2017 - Tuesday at Friends, Brighton
26th September 2017 - WI Group Meeting, Durrington
29th September 2017 - Friends of Clapham & Patching Churches
5th October 2017 - Catsfield WI
11th October 2017 - Sussex Centenary of WI Celebration, Crowborough
21st October 2017 - ChatterBex Club, Bexhill
26th October 2017 - Private function, Langham Hotel
8th November 2017 - After 8 Club, Burwash 
15th November 2017 - East Preston Floral Club 50th Anniversary Lunch
24th November 2017 - Crowborough Wolfe Bowls Club
2nd December 2017- Mayfield Bonfire Society
4th December 2017 - Pembury U3A
6th December 2017 - Wooden Spoon Charity Lunch, St Leonard's
11th December 2017 - Midhurst Garden Club
13th December 2017 - Ferring WI
15th December 2017 - Meads Ladies Circle
17th December 2017 - RAF Lunch, Arundel
26th December 2017 - Private function, Langham Hotel
1st January 2018 - Private function, Langham Hotel
8th January 2018 - Ladies Who Lunch, Highwoods Golf Club, Bexhill
10th January 2018 - Burwash Ladies Group
12th January 2018 - RNLI, Eastbourne
14th January 2018 - Private function, 70th Celebration, Cinque Ports Club, Uckfield
  5th February 2018 - Eastbourne Rambling Club
7th February 2018 - Nat Fed of Occupational Pensioners, Worthing
22nd February 2018 - Rushlake Green WI
24th February 2018 - The Earl Okin Show, Under Ground Theatre
12th March 2018 - Ferring Downs WI
24th March 2018 - Private function - Double Golden Wedding Anniversary
7th April 2018 - Hailsham FM Radio - The Simon Herbert Show
8th April 2018 - St Wilfrid's Hall, Pevensey Bay
14th April 2018 - Lady Crabtree's 40th Anniversary Show, Under Ground Theatre    
 17th April 2018 - Polegate Sundowners WI
18th April 2018 - Crowborough U3A
20th April 2018 - Angmering Green WI
30th April 2018 - Ham Manor Golf Club, Lady Captain's Dinner
8th May 2018 - Jewish Association of Cultural Societies
11th May 2018 - Warnham WI 100th Anniversary
19th May 2018 - Hailsham & District Flower Club 60th Anniversary Lunch

FUTURE BOOKINGS INCLUDE
Saturday 26th May 2018 - Private function - 80th Birthday Dinner, Hydro Hotel
Monday 4th June 2018 - East Preston Festival
Monday 18th June 2018 - Sidley Friendship Club, Sidley
Friday 22nd June 2018 - Sainsbury's Veterans Association, Crawley
Thursday 5th July 2018 - Chiddingly WI 100th Anniversary
Tuesday 10th July 2018 - Barclays Spread Eagles Club Lunch, Eastbourne 
Monday 16th July 2018 - British Legion Afternoon Tea, Little Common
Wednesday 18th July 2018  - Forum Society 60th Anniversary Lunch, Hove
Thursday 12th July 2018 - Findon Village WI
Friday 3rd August 2018 - Sandhurst Friendship Club
Wednesday 8th August 2018 - Shadara Retirement Club, Hartley
Tuesday 28th August 2018 - RAF Association, Hailsham
Monday 3rd September 2018 - Battle & District U3A
Friday 7th September 2018 - Crowborough Evening Townswomen's Guild
Tuesday 11th September 2018 - West Chiltington Arts Theatre Club
Thursday 13th September 2018 - Mannings Heath & District Horticultural Society
Friday 14th September 2018 - Willingdon Flower Club Emerald Anniversary
Tuesday 18th September 2018 - Forest Row WI
Thursday 20th September 2018 - Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne
Wednesday 26th September 2018 - West Adur WI Group Meeting TBC
Tuesday 2nd October 2018 - Hellingly WI 100th Anniversary
Tuesday 9th October 2018 - Horsham Flower Club Emerald Anniversary
Thursday 11th October 2018 - Sainsbury's Veterans Association, Bexhill
Saturday 13th October 2018 - Harvest Supper, St Mary's, Willingdon
Monday 15th October 2018 - Rustington WI
Wednesday 17th October 2018 - Trefoil Guild, Heathfield
Monday 19th November 2018 - Cardiff Ladies' Lunch Club, Hilton Hotel, Cardiff
Tuesday 27th November 2018 - Meads WI
Thursday 29th November 2018 - NHS Retirement Fellowship, Eastbourne
Wednesday 5th December 2018 - Lashmar Ladies WI, East Preston
Thursday 6th December 2018 - Fryern Ladies Probus Club
Tuesday 11th December 2018 - Hastings Ore WI
Thursday 13th December 2018 - Mannings Heath WI, Lunch
Friday 14th December 2018 - Robertsbridge Historical Society
Friday 21st December 2018 - St Catherine's Court, Littlehampton
Wednesday 26th December 2018 - Private function - Langham Hotel
Tuesday 1st January 2019 - Private function - Langham Hotel
Monday 7th January 2019 - Ladies Who Lunch, Highwoods Golf Club
Thursday 28th February 2019 - Rustington Society of Floral Art
Wednesday 20th March 2019 - Rother WI Group Meeting, Battle
Tuesday 9th April 2019 - National Association of Retired Police Officers
Thursday 11th April 2019 - Brighton Five Deans U3A
Wednesday 19th June 2019 - Peacehaven & Telscombe Flower Club
Thursday 20th June 2019 - The Twenty-Ten Club, Little Common
Saturday 27th July 2019 - Private function - Arundel
Thursday 12th December 2019 - Crowborough U3A
Saturday 14th December 2019 - Crowborough Bereavement Support Group
December 2020 - Herstmonceux WI TBC

 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:  

Hailsham & District Flower Club 60th Anniversary - May 2018
   

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



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
 

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


Crowborough Wolfe Bowls Club - November 2017
  

After 8 Club, Burwash - November 2017




ChatterBex Club, Bexhill - October 2017
  

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


Oddfellows Society, Tunbridge Wells branch - September 2017
 

Parkinson's UK, Worthing branch - August 2017


80th Birthday Lunch, Cooden Beach Golf Club - August 2017


45th Wedding Anniversary Lunch, Seaford - July 2017
 

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


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


Devonshire Club, Eastbourne - February 2017


Rustington Manor Hotel - February 2016


RNLI - January 2017


Ferring WI 80th Birthday - December 2016


95th Birthday Lunch, Horsebridge - December 2016


Private soiree, Langney - December 2016


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


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
  

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
   

The Hawthorns, Eastbourne - January 2016


Golden Marigold Club, Bexhill - December 2015
   

Stratford-Upon-Avon Ladies' Lunch - December 2015
 

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
      

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


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

   

Meads WI - November 2013

Sovereign Rotary Club Dinner, Chatsworth Hotel - October 2013

Edwards Coaches Lunch, Langham Hotel - September 2013

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.