October 23-28, 2023

Organiser: Craig Harmer, deputies Sandy Gooch, Chris Rouse.

The Festival was in doubt until around July, as structural issues had been discovered at The Halls, which it was thought would mean their closure for an extended period. In the end, the works to repair the roof and windows were scheduled to start in January 2024, and the Festival was given the go-ahead.

Barriers put up beneath the windows meant it was impossible for customers to queue down St George’s St, so the main queue was directed along Princes St, where it had been until about a decade earlier. An additional queue was introduced at the start of each session, for advance ticket holders, entering through the St George’s St entrance, where they were able to collect the Starter Pack included in the price of their ticket (another new feature this year).

Programme

Edited by Ian Stamp

Opening Times and Prices

Date	Session	Times	Price
Monday 23^rd	CAMRA Preview	4-5pm	Free to CAMRA members
	Evening	5-10.pm	£4
Tuesday 24^th	Lunchtime	11.30-3pm	£2
	Evening	5-10pm	£4
Wednesday 25^th	Lunchtime	11.30-3pm	£2
	Evening	5-10pm	£6
Thursday 26^th	Lunchtime	11.30-3pm	£2
	Evening	5-11pm	£7
Friday 27^th	Lunchtime	11.30-3pm	£4
	Evening	5-11pm	£7
Saturday 28^th	All day	11.30-9.30pm	£4

Advance tickets, including a £10 starter pack, were available at a £1 premium.

Halls Layout

Products

Beers of the Festival

1	Fengate	Imperial Extra Double Stout
2	Little Critters	Nutty Ambassador
3	Duration	Turtles All The Way Down
4	Old Chimneys	Henry V
5	Fengate	Three Threads Smoked Porter
6	Loch Lomond	Lost Monster
7	Play Brew	Waffle & Maple Syrup Blueberry Stout
8	North Riding	Chocolate & Toffee Porter
9	All Day	Devil’s Moon
10	Fat Cat	Plum Porter

Charity

Supporting children and young adults who have experienced sexual abuse.

Entertainment

Live music was be in Blackfriars’ Hall on Thursday evening, Friday both sessions and all day Saturday.

Thursday evening The Hot Crumbs play all your favourite songs. Performed by Joe Mace, Steve Clarke and Adam Darricott. Covers include rock, ska and funk.

Friday lunchtime The Macarnos are Scott Good, Steve Underhill, Jamie and Jess Fuller, an upbeat acoustic based four piece that put their own sound to popular contemporary songs along with original compositions.

Friday evening The Dirigibles are a 4-piece band playing 80s and new wave classics.

Saturday lunchtime Robin Evans Esq is a Southern Gothic Rock ‘n’ Roll singer/songwriter currently based in Norwich, UK. Taking influence from folk horror, country blues, punk rock, and traditional storytelling, he’s carving a name for himself in the UK Americana scene.

Saturday afternoon Felix Simpson is a singer / guitarist who is renowned for being Norfolk’s original, professional Busker. His beautiful vocals mixed with his top quality guitar style makes him a popular choice. With a repertoire of over 350+ songs, he is able to make his performance adapt to every audience. Ranging from songs by Frank Sinatra, Bill Withers and Whitney Houston to George Ezra, Plan B and even Eminem!

Saturday evening The Collective (pictured above) are one of Norfolk’s favourite wedding and function bands. A collection of permanent, highly professional musicians, who have performed with many top artists and with over 25 year’s experience, they are a band like no other.