Tag: Community

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Durrants Proud to Support the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail 2026

Durrants is delighted to be sponsoring the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail 2026, as this much-loved creative event returns this May.

Taking place across the weekends of 16–17 May and 23–25 May (including the late bank holiday Monday), the Art Trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the creativity of artists and makers working across the beautiful Waveney Valley on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk.

A Celebration of Local Creativity

Now in its 22nd year, the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail has become a well-established and highly anticipated event in the local calendar. It brings together a diverse collective of artists who open their studios to the public, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how and where their work is created.

This year, 23 artists will be taking part, showcasing a wide range of disciplines including:

  • Contemporary and traditional painting
  • Printmaking
  • Textiles
  • Ceramics
  • Sculpture
  • Mixed media, drawing and collage

Visitors will have the chance not only to view and purchase original artwork, but also to meet the artists, ask questions and gain insight into their creative processes.

Explore the Waveney Valley

One of the unique aspects of the Art Trail is its setting. Studios are located within a ten-mile radius of Harleston, in a range of picturesque villages including Brockdish, Pulham Market, Ditchingham, Bungay, Mendham, Weybread and Topcroft.

This makes the trail an ideal way to explore the Waveney Valley; combining art, countryside and community into a relaxed and inspiring day out.

Whether you choose to visit a handful of studios or plan a full weekend exploring the trail, there is plenty to discover along the way.

Meet the Artists

A key part of the Art Trail experience is the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.

First-time participant, ceramicist Jason Wick, is looking forward to welcoming visitors to his studio in Denton, where he will be showcasing a large collection of previously unseen work. His practice, which focuses on hand-built ceramics and experimental glazing techniques, is deeply inspired by the local landscape.

Sculptor Pauline Antram, who has recently moved to the area, will be opening her garden studio in Gillingham. Visitors can explore sculptures displayed throughout the outdoor space, alongside drawings and paintings, and gain insight into her creative process.

As organiser Denise Ann explains, the Art Trail offers something for everyone: “Visitors can explore this wonderful area… while discovering artwork aplenty in open studios along the way. They can view inspiring work, talk to artists first-hand and, if something catches their eye, take it home.”

With several new studios opening for the first time this year, even regular visitors can expect fresh discoveries.

Free, Accessible and Community-Led

One of the most appealing aspects of the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail is that it is completely free to attend. Visitors are welcome to browse at their own pace, making it an accessible and inclusive event for all.

The trail is organised by the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail Collective: a vibrant and supportive community of professional artists who live and work in the area. Since its beginnings in 2005, the event has grown steadily, becoming a much-loved celebration of creativity in the region.

At Durrants, we are passionate about supporting the communities we serve across Norfolk and Suffolk. Events like the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail play an important role in bringing people together, celebrating local talent and showcasing the unique character of the area.

By sponsoring the Art Trail, we are proud to support both the artists and the wider community, helping to ensure this inspiring event continues to thrive.

Discover Something New This May

All studios will be open from 10am to 5pm on each day of the trail (with one studio open on the final weekend only).

You can find full details, including additional events and workshops, on the official website.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector, or simply looking for an enjoyable way to explore the local area, the Harleston & Waveney Art Trail offers a unique and inspiring experience.

We look forward to seeing the Waveney Valley come alive with creativity once again this May.

 

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Durrants donates play equipment to Bungay pre-school

emmanuel
Durrants are delighted to have been able to donate some new play equipment to Emmanuel Pre-School in Bungay.
 
The pre-school is a non-profit making organisation and relies heavily on donations so we were thrilled to support their important work with a new climbing frame and slide which the children are already making good use of.
 
A number of young children with special educational needs have joined Emmanuel recently and the new play equipment helps to improve their motor skills as well as their physical and mental development. 
 
The children presented us with a thank you card and homemade cake on a recent visit to say thank you. We hope you have many happy days playing in the future! 
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Durrants at the Royal Norfolk Show

norfolk show

This year’s Royal Norfolk Show was a celebration of everything that is great about the county and we were thrilled to be part of the show on its return after the COVID hiatus.

The Durrants stand was well attended on both days of the show and we were pleased to speak to hundreds of people about our wide range of services. Our Agricultural team were able to catch up with many familiar faces we work with in sales and lettings, estate management and auctions; our Building Consultancy team were on hand to field enquiries about our planning, architect and surveying services, and members of our Residential team were there to help with advice of buying and selling property.

norfolk show

The drinks party at the end of the first day was a great success and there was plenty to do for all the family on the stand – including our popular Jenga challenge!

It really was a feeling that life is getting back to normal again. We’re already pencilling in 28th and 29th June for next year’s Norfolk Show and can’t wait to return to the Norfolk Showground.  

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Durrants sponsors the Southwold Arts Festival

southwold arts festival parade

It’s been a fantastic week here in Southwold with the annual Southwold Arts Festival parading all the colours of the rainbow throughout the High Street. With an extensive programme of events to celebrate the arts, we couldn’t wait to join in on all the fun.

The festival kicked off with the popular Street Festival in the High Street. The theme this year was ‘rainbow’ and the festival invited local businesses to dress up, hold stalls and decorate shop windows. Our Southwold team couldn’t wait to get stuck in and we quickly decided on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ as our theme.

We had a lot of fun marching in the parade sporting our Wizard of Oz costumes. We also had a Holiday Cottages stall outside the office – handing out our latest holiday cottage brochures and letting guides. Young children were getting competitive at our target board and lucky dip!

We were thrilled to be awarded with ‘Best Window’ by the Arts Festival Committee which is testament to our Durrants team in Southwold coming together and working tirelessly on costumes and displays. A special thank you goes to Lorraine, our Holiday Cottages Manager, for all her late night sewing and decorating!

The following week Durrants Holiday Cottages sponsored the Ode to Joyce evening at the Southwold Arts Centre – a performance of songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell. The Holiday Cottages team attended the event where we supplied an Adnams Hamper as a raffle prize for one lucky winner. It was great to see so many of our cottage owners and customers attending the event.

We can’t wait for what’s in store for the Southwold Arts Festival next year!

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Durrants donates to Benjamin Foundation in Thetford

benjamin foundation

Durrants Charitable Foundation has presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Benjamin Foundation to help their ongoing support work in Thetford.

The Foundation, through it’s “Meet Up’ project at the Youth and Community Centre, plays a vital role in tackling local wellbeing issues, inequalities, mental health and social problems, supporting parents and families via a range of groups and activities.

They have an ongoing fundraising appeal to ensure local children, young people and families can continue to access the services which they have described as their “lifeline.”

The money donated by Durrants will be used to help fund much needed upgraded external lighting and foyer LED lighting.

We wish them every success and we would urge you to visit their website to find out more about how you can support Meet Up.

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Great live music coming to Southwold

southwold jazz club

Southwold Jazz Club is hosting another great night of live music this month.

The club, which is sponsored by Durrants, is based at Southwold Arts Centre and on Saturday 28th May The Phil Veacock Trio will be appearing live.

Phil Veacock is a professional saxophonist best-known as the main arranger, musical director and tenor saxophonist of Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He has also arranged and played brass on Paul Weller’s last four albums.

He’ll be joined on stage by organist Jim Watson who has worked with Sting and Katie Melua, and drummer George Double.

Tickets are available to book here.

There is also more great live music in Southwold as part of the Southwold Arts Festival running from 25th June to 2nd July; including Clare Teal and her Trio, Polly Gibbons and the farewell tour of the Blues Band.

The full programme of events can be found here.

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Wymondham Rugby Club support

wymondham rugby

Durrants are delighted to continue to support Wymondham Rugby club, through our community charity foundation with the sponsorship of a pitch side board.

Dominic Parravani, Durrants Managing Director, is Joint Chair of Wymondham Rugby clubs Mini section and is passionate about supporting local sport for all.

He said: “We support lots of local clubs and organisations throughout Norfolk and Suffolk and are thrilled to be able to show our continued support to such a wonderful club as Wymondham Rugby Club.”

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Over £1,000 raised for charity by Durrants clay shoot

durrants clay shoot rabi

Durrants are thrilled to announce a final total of money raised as a result of last September’s annual charity Clay shoot at Red House Farm by kind permission of Philip Kidner. This year’s chosen charity was R.A.B.I (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent institution).

Dominic Parravani, Durrants Managing Director “Our annual Charity Clay shoot has become a firm fixture in our fund raising calendar, over the years we have been able to donate thousands of pounds for wonderful causes. We are very proud of our recent charity clay shoot, to which we have raised an outstanding amount of £1,053.94!”

The cheque was presented at Durrants Halesworth office by Richard Prentice, Durrants Head of Agriculture, to David Locke, Finance Director of RABI and Thelma Thorogood Suffolk Chair for RABI.

Mrs Thorogood said: “On behalf of Suffolk RABI, we would like to say thank you so very much indeed for choosing our Charity to donate this amazing sum. We really do appreciate receiving this money, which will go straight to our Beneficiaries”

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I), a national charity that provides support for local farming communities across England and Wales.

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Durrants sponsorship of Southwold Rugby Club reaches across the world!

durrants rugby southwold

Durrants sponsored rugby shirts from Southwold Rugby Club, have found their way to India! The Jungle Crows Foundation is taking rugby to some of the poorest children in the world, most of whom would not normally have any chance to take part in any organised sporting activity.

For 10 years the charity has given street kids and orphans the chance to play and learn together in a safe and coach controlled environment. The foundation supports the children to go to school and then even college so they can get a good job. Shirts and equipment are sent over to help kit out enthusiastic players and as always

Durrants are delighted to be able to help and support.

The fantastic picture above was taken in Kolkata where the Jungle Crows are celebrating India’s republic day.

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New All-Weather Canopy for Owlets Ilketshall Pre-School

Owlets preschool receives funding from Durrants Charitable Foundation

The latest in a series of local projects to see the rewards of funding from Durrants Charitable Foundation is Owlets Preschool in Ilketshall St Lawrence, who have recently completed the installation of an all-weather canopy.

The canopy was installed in October to enable children to enjoy time outdoors and remain protected from the elements.  Fresh air has of course, always been important for children, but the pandemic and the need for social distancing and well-ventilated areas has made this essential.

On Wednesday 10th November our communications manager, Sally Owen went to meet the team at Owlets and see the results of Durrants’ contribution. “Durrants are delighted to support so many local projects that benefit the local community. On a drizzly day like today you can really see how the new canopy at Owlets will be important for both the children and staff here.”

The project was also supported by other generous donors including East Suffolk County Council, The Tudwick Foundation and Alpkit foundation.

“It’s so important for children to be able to enjoy time outdoors, but when the weather is inclement, or even if the sun is too hot, it’s vital to have some shelter to protect the youngsters.” commented Jo-Anne Aulsberry, Manager of Owlets.   “We’re delighted with the canopy and are hugely grateful to all our supporters, including Durrants.”

 

Photo: Presentation of £750 donation from Durrants. Pictured left to right: Jo-Anne Aulsberry, manager of Owlets, Sally Owen, communications manager for Durrants and Sarah Jordan, chairperson for Owlets.

New all-weather canopyat Owlets preschool, Ilketshall St Lawrence
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Wymondham Rugby Minis Festival a Great Success

Wymondham Rugby Minis Festival Durrants

Durrants have continued support for the local community with the recent sponsorship and support of Wymondham Rugby clubs mini festival.

Durrants have a long history of supporting Norfolk and Suffolk rugby and were delighted to help with the recent two day festival. Durrants managing director Dominic Parravani, who is co-chair of Wymondham Mini said “ We were delighted to welcome over 500 children from 8 different local clubs to Barnard Fields for a wonderful  weekend of Rugby. Using funds from our charity foundation were only too happy to support and sponsor the weekend”

Rugby brings together people from all walks of life and is a game that upholds sporting values, friendship and respect.

Wymondham Rugby Minis Festival supported by Durrants.

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Southwold Bees Project supported by Durrants

southwold bees supported by Durrants

Southwold Millennium Foundation has installed two bee hives at the town’s Community Orchard in an exciting new project supported by Durrants.

The Foundation, which operates from the Millennium/Stella Peskett Hall provides vital funds for the local community via various initiatives including car parking at Millennium Meadow, and the running of Lighthouse Tours. The Community Orchard, which is in the meadow opposite the Hall, was established 2017, the produce of which is free for local residents.

Southwold Bees was initiated by trustee, Simon Tobin and chairman, Michael Ladd, who approached Durrants Estate Agency to request funding from their Charitable Foundation. Upon successfully receiving funds of £1,500 the Foundation has purchased two hives, two swarms of bees and all the necessary protective equipment.

“We’re really excited about the installation of the Southwold Bees hives.” said Simon Tobin. “As bees continue to decline in the UK it is important that we nurture them, and our Community Orchard is the perfect spot. We will be using this project to reach out to local schools to teach children about the importance of bees.”

Zuhal Tobin will be maintaining the hives having attended a course run by Waveney Beekeepers Group and is supported by their chairman, David Martin.

Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants commented about the project “We are delighted to support Southwold Bees. It’s a really interesting project from which local schools will benefit. Of course we’re looking forward to tasting the first batch of honey too!”

It is expected that Southwold Bees honey will be sold to raise further funds for Southwold Millennium Foundation.

Pictured (left to right); David Martin of Waveney Beekeepers Assoc; Michael Ladd; Dominic Parravani of Durrants; Zuhal Tobin; Simon Tobin.