About me
Celebrant: Peter Crawford
Kind, empathetic and capable
Your ceremony is about you, not me, but you should know something of the person you’re inviting to your event!
I grew up singing in various church choirs, so that, by my early twenties, I’d been to more weddings and funerals than most people attend in a lifetime. Hearing so many eulogies at quite a young age made quite an impression, as a result of which I’ve always been keen to say Yes to the opportunities that life provides and really value the connections between people, which is what seems to count at the end.
A short career as a professional singer took me around the world. I’ve sung in an opera tour of La Bohème in the West Bank, been on stage with international Jewish cantors and danced in the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. I can also keep a straight face when needed, such as when conducting a choir at the extraordinary ceremony for the opening of Tesco in Jordan, complete with bagpipes and a ribbon across the bakery aisle.
Singing in La Bohème in the West Bank.
Life as a science teacher had me teaching in Watford, Amman (Jordan) and Cambridge, where I spent five years as the school chaplain. A significant part of this was arranging all manner of ceremonies, helping people feel at ease and able to contribute from their own experiences and traditions. I care deeply about people, working in my Gran’s Care Home at weekends during Covid and volunteering in the local community.
I am a fan of sports challenges (cycling the length of the UK, kayaking from Cambridge to Kings Lynn, a relay marathon from the Dead to the Red Sea), all musicals, especially those starring Beverley Knight, classical, jazz or disco music concerts, nature tourism, writing (a series of children’s biology books which are at worldofcells.com) and many Cambridge-based activities such as the Shakespeare and Science Festivals, swimming in the Cam and cream teas.
Using my book about an egg cell to teach the menstrual cycle and respect for women’s bodies in Saudi Arabia.
I am not a wedding organiser, as my expertise will never extend to the chair covers, but I can put you in contact with musically talented people if desired. With a love of travel and languages, I am happy to read parts of your ceremony or greet people in the following: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Welsh, German, Turkish, Russian and Arabic. Any other languages wanted?… Please teach me them!
