Book festival organisers thank Persimmon for donation
21 October 2025
Organisers of a literary event in Leiston have thanked Persimmon Homes Suffolk for sponsoring the latest festival.
Robert Ashton, Founder of the annual Leiston Book Festival, visited Suffolk region’s newest show home at Aldhurst View in the town to celebrate the success of the recent event, and share plans for next year.
We sponsored the event, held in September, through our Community Champions scheme, designed to create a lasting legacy in the areas in which we build.
Welcoming Robert to Aldhurst View, Katy Bent-Marshall, Sales manager for Persimmon Homes Suffolk, said: “While we are building new homes here in Leiston, we want to support the existing community too and ensure the two can blend perfectly.
“By sponsoring this event we have been able to celebrate the talented writers that live in Suffolk and beyond while enabling this cultural offering to continue to grow.”
Robert added: “Thank you to Persimmon for this donation which allowed us to market our book festival more widely and invest in professional light and sound technicians on the day. More than 240 people attended our sell-out one day event last month. Now we have to work hard to make the 2026 Leiston Book Festival even better.’
We are building 97 new homes at Aldhurst View, including 32 that will be offered through a housing association partner at below market rent, available for shared ownership, or sold as First Homes properties at a discounted market price.
We are also investing in local infrastructure with contributions including £30,000 to improve the cycle scheme on B1122, £32,000 for habitat mitigation supporting local European Protected Sites and £32,600 for Public Rights of Way upgrades.
