Heacham & District News

On Saturday night I, along with my Dad and a friend from Oz visited Heacham’s Fox and Hounds 10th Annual Beer Festival (unbelievable – where did those ten years go!) where celebrations were seriously underway – getting served at the bar required considerable patience as it was frantically busy.  The Beer Festival kicked off on Thursday, 29 July and ran through the weekend as usual with an amazing line up of bands:

Thursday 29th   – THE GLAM BAND – 8.00 pm
   
Fri, 30th        – DAVE MOORE        – 8.00 pm  
  
Sat, 31st    – HILGAY SILVER BAND – 2.00 pm
                     – LOVE MUFFINS   – 5.00 pm
                     – SOFT TONE NEEDLES  – 9.00 pm

Sun, 1st Aug  – SONGS FROM THE BLUE HOUSE  -  3.00 pm

 

We saw the Soft Tone Needles (I think), billed as the UK’s no 1 Northern Soul Revue Band.  I have no idea what that means but they sounded good to me but not so good to my Dad! 

I briefly caught landlord Mark having a quick bite to eat and he managed to let me know in between bites that the Fox Brewery had once again been nominated for more awards but there was no time to get any details from him as he was only “taking five” in the midst of a hardworking weekend.  Hopefully we will hear more positive news about these awards in the future so keep watching …

The marquee was packed out as is usual for Heacham’s Beer Festival and overspilled to the forecourt and into the main bar areas.  It was difficult to get a decent photo of the band owing to so many people but I did my best. 

As I strolled around the atmosphere was throbbing and lively as you would expect at such an event and everyone was in a happy party mood.  I saw a few familiar faces and lots of faces I did not recognise.

I said hi to Marcus and Rob who were diligently manning the barbecue to feed the hungry hordes and they did me the honour of posing for a picture – thanks guys!

Just when I thought that was going to be the sum of my evening, I came across a group of Festival goers dressed in psychadelic 1970s gear and asked what that was all about. 

It turned out the 1970s crowd were stopping by the Beer Festival en route to a “One Stop Boogie Show 1970s Abba Nite” in full 1970s regalia at Heacham Public Hall.  Many of the double party goers posed for a picture to show off their costumes and then asked me to come along to the party at the Public Hall to see what else was going on so I did just that.

I was warmly welcomed to “gatecrash” the party both by Martin Doy (otherwise known as “Split” I am told) who turned out to be the event organiser and Jeff from the Social Club.  My photographs did not turn out half as well as my friend Rob’s so he is kindly sharing them with us here.

The  party was truly in full swing by the time I got there and the band was right up my street and had me bopping along.   (I am not showing my age – I was really young in the 1970s)! 

The stage was brightly lit to match the psychadelic costumes and the dance floor was exactly as I like it – full!  The  flamboyant costumes was a stark contrast with the dark of the hall - everyone had really got into the spirit of the 1970s.

Unfortunately, this was not a planned visit so I could not stay to experience the full party.  However, I saw my friend Rob the next day and I can confirm by the look of him IT WAS A GREAT PARTY! 

It seems “Split” did a terrific job in putting this party together and I am sure the party goers are looking forward to the next one he arranges. (Personally I hope he invites me along another time so I can stay the whole night!)

All in all it was a great party atmosphere in Heacham last weekend as the Fox continued to celebrate 10 years of its Beer Festivals and of course the Heacham Carnival went ahead on the Sunday too (look out for a separate report).  What a happening place!

  Below are a few more of Rob’s photos of a memorable night out in Heacham.