WOFA is the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association, which works in partnership with Canterbury City Council to programme and deliver the Festival. Canterbury City Council provides core funding used for logistics, co-ordination, programming and marketing. WOFA provides local knowledge, supports the Co-ordinator and sources vital additional funding for festival events.

Whitstable Oyster Festival Association (WOFA) 2010

Chair: Brian Baker

Acting Treasurer: Daphne Bird

Secretary: David Roberts

Brenda Welch

Shane Watters

Paul George

Stewart Walsh

Liz McGown

Festival Director: Mair Stratton

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Canterbury City Council, Events Support Officer:

Laura Niven - Tel: 01227 862 066

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Correspondence address:

WOFA, 73 St. Johns Road, Whitstable, Kent. CT5 2RL

Emergency contact: 07771 630056

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WOFA ensures that the Whitstable Oyster Festival remains relevant and true to the heritage of the town. We are always open to suggestions, fresh ideas and new perspectives, so if you live locally, and are interested in being involved we invite you to join us.

WOFA’s ambition is to eventually bring responsibility for organising the Festival back to the people of Whitstable, and develop a sustainable future for the Festival. Our Constitution aims are:-

“to promote, maintain, improve and advance, education, celebration, appreciation and understanding of the culture and heritage of Whitstable and the surrounding areas, through the curation and development of the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival. The Association will do this through the provision of a programme that is accessible, inclusive and participatory, involving residents and visitors of all ages in events that embrace without limitations the arts, heritage, and sport”.

The Association’s members attend monthly meetings during the year and liaise more often by other means in the period leading up to the Festival. The members have included local business owners, artists, teachers, historians and residents who share a common pride in our town and a desire to assist and develop the local community.

If you feel that you have something to offer, whether it be marketing, financial, organisational or community development skills, can afford a couple of hours a month and would like to join a friendly, but dedicated, group of people, then let us know. On the other hand, if you just fancy some very rewarding fun in the sun, then check out our Volunteers page.

Meet WOFA

	Brenda Welch is a resident of Seasalter and passionate about the community aspects of the Festival. An active community figure, Brenda is also involved with the Whitstable Giant, Captain Sam, who leads the Oyster Parade each year.
	Brian Baker is a founder member of the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association (WOFA). His interest in Whitstable family history prompted Brian to begin the ‘Walk in Time’ series of guided walks connecting places with people from the past, now a popular feature of the Festival. The eventual offspring of many generations of oyster dredgermen, he is keen to ensure that the Festival evolves whilst still celebrating the heritage of Whitstable that made it the unique place it remains today.
	Daphne Bird. is a founder member of the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association (WOFA). As a long-term Whitstable resident Daphne is well known locally as a person who can be relied upon for almost anything! This busy lady is a member of Samba Pelo Mar, works with Whitstable Museum, acts as Treasurer and lends her past professional experience in publishing to proofreading the Festival programme.
	David Roberts , like his parents and grandparents, is a Whitstable Native and has lived in the town he loves for most of his life. Now retired, he wants to help foster a strong sense of heritage and community spirit within the town and provide enjoyment to locals and visitors alike. David will be managing Sea Sunday at the Harbour as well as organising many events during the week.
	Shane Watters. Shane and family moved to Whitstable from Japan a few years ago after falling in love with the relaxed atmosphere and local community feel. Shane’s background is in business and has worked both here and in Japan. He is now keen to get involved in the promoting and fundraising activities for the festival. He also now works at the University of Kent and is interested in exploring possible future links between the University and the Festival.
	Paul George Esq - Developed the worlds first computerised automatic dance shoes to teach routines. The programming proved too difficult on subtle radial steps but enabled rapid movements in a straight line. Sold them to a guy in Jamaica. Now developing a green global communication system involving a piece of paper and a corked bottle. During the Festival Paul will be found running the Pavement Art event and on the beach with the Whitstable Yacht Club’s events.