Villagers in Durweston and Bryanston will be celebrating their rich, cultural heritage in a four-day arts festival between September 13 and 16 in St Nicholas Church.


Originally built to serve Lord Portman, both villages share a history of craft and were famed for glove making and basket weaving. And today, the villagers possess and even wider range of creative skills.

After the difficulties faced by many villages following the coronavirus pandemic, the festival is a creative way of rekindling the village community. The exhibition will showcase the talent of a guitar maker, walking stick maker, a potter and painter along with a jeweller and seamstresses.

Music will resound from the church, although mostly rebuilt in 1846, dates back to the 15th century, as musicians from the villages will be practicing informally to entertain visitors.

And on Monday, September 13 at 8pm, male Capella group, The Gravellers together with other artists will be singing a varied collection of songs including the acoustic harmonies of Debbie and Martin from Bryanston and folk songs from Sammy and Charles. Almost everyone is getting involved in The Durweston and Bryanston Arts Festival.

Children from both village primary schools together
with keen gardeners and
church flower arrangers, will be decorating the church with flowers, foliage and vegetables gathered from gardens, allotments and from foraging in the surrounding countryside.

A pop-up café will be open every day, selling a delicious array of cakes baked by the villagers, and music sessions will coincide with coffee time at 10am, lunch at 1pm and tea-time at 3pm.

The message from the organisers is: “Please join us and wander round the exhibitions, listen to the music and eat cake.”

The exhibition of village art, craft and music will be staged from Monday, September 13 to Thursday, September 16 between 10am and 4pm. There will be no need to book, but for the event will be subject to covid-19 regulations at the time.

For more information, email juleshosford@icloud.com.

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