Trust the proven choice of hundreds of other Clubs & Societies and go for a guest speaker everyone is talking about. Go for David Bell, the Plague Doctor. An entertainment rather than a lecture. David is not a qualified medic, nor is he an historian, however he does spin a terrific yarn.
The Plague Doctor will not only make you think, but he will also make you laugh out loud and feel good about yourself.
For a fascinating 75 minutes you will be seduced in a uniquely amusing fashion into a 17th century world where both medical diagnosis and treatment were equally outrageous .
A world you would want to avoid . . . . like the plague !
Despite being clouded through the passage of time by a string of enthusiastic poets, preachers and romantics the Eyam plague story remains one of the most enduring episodes in British history . . . and 353 years on this small Peak District village continues to enjoy marketing its tragic past.
Any story of a community in voluntary isolation attempting to prevent the spread of a killer disease is, on the face of it, hardly going to be light entertainment. However David 'breaks the mould' with his personable and tongue-in-cheek style resonating seamlessly with his audience.
So before you try to split fact from fiction in the Plague Doctor's light hearted take on events; just remember that laughter really is the best medicine. Laugh out loud as David confronts a party of German tourists; wince as he extracts a bladder stone; 17th century style . . . and then goes on to vividly demonstrate early treatments, for of all things, extreme constipation and itching heamorrhoids!
But whisper it again; watch out, the plague's about.
*** no embarrassment is directed at any individual audience members during the performance.
“I am having the time of my life;” explained David, “I never imagined that in my 70s I would be advocating & demonstrating haemorrhoid relief with leeches, and buttock clenching tobacco smoke enemas !”
“Laughter certainly is the best medicine,” commented Janet Stain of the Crosspool Ladies Group in Sheffield. “The Plague Doctor came to talk to our members recently and immediately won us over with his hilarious anecdotes and original storyline. David had us all in fits of giggles from beginning to end. My advice? . . . . . . .just go and see him for yourself. He spins a fabulous tale and you’ll feel all the better for it!”
Standard Talk Fee 2019/20 : from £80.00 + return mileage supplement @ 50p per mile
Now booking to December 2020
"Highly recommended . . . infact the consensus is; the best we've ever hired"
Horwich Probus Greater Manchester November 2018
"A mid-week full house in the banqueting suite .... now, that speaks for itself"
Doubletree Hilton Hotel Sheffield November 2018
"I first saw The Plague Doctor two years ago and he was brilliant.
I have booked him for next year for our new 'Brownies for the Older Lady' group.
We can't wait for the fun to start again."
The Luvly Lasses of Elland West Yorkshire October 2018
"A perfect complement to our annual ladies dinner. Never laughed so much in ages"
"That old adage of never judging a book by its cover is so true in David's case"
"I have now learned to never judge a guest speaker by the title of his talk"
". . . the plague doctor is hilariously entertaining."
Abbeydale Golf Club Sheffield September 2018
" An evening of outstanding storytelling"
Friends of The National Trust Staffordshire September 2018
"A heartfelt thankyou from all of our members for your insightfully funny take on life."
"You must come back again soon"
Ashbourne U3a Derbyshire September 2018
"A wonderful tonic . . . Bravo!"
Woodhall Spa U3a Lincolnshire September 2018
"Congratulations to the Plague Doctor . . . a raconteur par excellence"
Todmorden U3A West Yorkhire August 2018
"We never quite knew what to expect next !!"
"This was so entertaining & funny . . . and the ending? . . . Wow"
Holymoorside Ladies Club Derbyshire July 2018
"A buttock clenching hour of sheer joy"
Trent Lock Country Club Nottinghamshire June 2018
"The Plague Doctor came to our group highly recommended . . . and didn't disappoint.
He has set the bar at a new high."
Northampton U3A April 2018
"I'll never board a tourist coach again ! . . . nor will I stand by a waterfall,
suffer from a bout of constipation; eat a banana, garlic or monkey-nuts
without fondly recalling my hour with The Plague Doctor !
Brilliantly random humour."
World Heritage Centre, Cromford Mill, Derbyshire
"I have been the speaker seeker for our local
Probus Group for thirteen years now and can
say that The Plague Doctor has been the best
speaker we have heard" . . . . . Great stuff
Whaley Bridge Probus High Peak February 2018
"Engaging . . . Compelling . . . Superb timing
The perfect pick-me-up for a wet Wednesday in January.
I have never seen The Winding Wheel so full for a matinee." Congratulations"
Chesterfield U3A January 2018
Such a clever storyline . . . totally unexpected"
"The Plague Doctor made me think; made me laugh
. . . . and made my day."
Hucknall U3A January 2018
"A one-man-show rather than a talk. David Bell is fantastic Info-tainment . . .
His wacky array of props will have you laughing from start to finish.
10 out of 10"
East Midlands History Group , , , November 2017
"One of the best speakers ever at our U3A today. Brilliantly funny"
Towcester U3A . . . Northamptonshire . . . October 2017
"Fantastic entertainment. Congratulations"
Thrapston U3A . . . Northamptonshire . . . October 2017
"Outstanding!"
Newark U3A . . . Nottinghamshire . . . October 2017
"What a storyteller . . . masterful . . . funny . . . just go see!
Countersthorpe U3A . . . Leicestershire . . . October 2017
"A brilliant, laugh-a-minute evening."
Sowood W I , West Yorkshire
"Up there with the best "
Southwell U3A Nottinghamshire
"A giggle filled evening ... great stuff"
The 'Lets Make Jam' Ladies Stoke on Trent
"Such an absorbing, dynamic and contemporary take on your subject.
I’ve never laughed that hard or felt so moved by any other previous guest speaker. Congratulations."
Worksop U3A Nottinghamshire
"We 've heard so much about you and waited so long to see you .
Fabulously original entertainment .. and what a fantastic ambassador you are for your lovely village"
Whiston WI South Yorkshire
"The Plague Doctor is so compelling & engaging.
David Bell's wonderful story is delivered with
such panache, energy and clever interactive humour.
I promise he will surprise you; and very likely turn
out to be your highlight guest speaker of the year.
Do not hesitate; go book him now."
The Dukeries U3A, Nottinghamshire
"The Plague Doctor had all 250+ of us in the palm of his hand"
"Fascinating, delightful, and very entertaining"
Eastwood U3A Notts
"I have been involved with our club
for over 12 years and would rank
the Plague Doctor one of the top
speakers we have ever had."
The Bradway Group Sheffield
"David Bell is up there with the very best speakers we have ever booked.
He had us transfixed; so much so, you could hear a pin drop . . . . . when we weren't laughing"
New Mills U3A High Peak
"Thank you for a great evening."
"You are one of the best speakers we have ever booked"
Warmsworth WI, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
"I can safely say your visit to Peterborough was a great success.
There were so many of our people talking warmly about you afterwards.
We were entertained, educated and astonished in equal measure."
Oundle U3A, Peterborough
"So good"
"He doesn't lecture; he doesn't preach."
"He simply tells a darn good tale"
Kirk Langley WI Derby
"An intoxicating mix of fact and legend,
bound together with a big dollop of cheeky fun.
Exactly what the doctor ordered"
Dinnington Horticultural Society
The Plague Doctor supports . . .
telephone : 01433 639392 email: bell.eyam@sky.com
View the Plague Doctor Youtube video trailer
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