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)  2009

Chair: Brenda Welch

Treasurer: Daphne Bird

Secretary: David Roberts

Jon Bird

Sandy Carter

Sarah Cheeseman

Mike Marsh

Holly Greenhall

George Lister

Shane Watters

Festival Co-ordinator: Mair Stratton

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Festival Support: (Creative Development Officers, Canterbury City Council)

Michelle Moubarak – Tel: 01227 862 267

Joanna Wassall

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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. 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 include 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.
	Hannah Walton is a more recent Association member. Because Hannah’s work in catering management means she is unable to attend every meeting, she is a perfect example of how even people with limited time to spare can make a very positive contribution to the festival.
	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.
	Daphne Bird. 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 Minutes Secretary and lends her past professional experience in publishing to the proofreading the Festival programme.
	Jon Bird is an artist.
	Sandy Carter. As an ex-Londoner who fell in love with Whitstable and promptly moved her family here, Sandy Carter represents the newer Whitstable residents. Sandy proves that you don’t have to have lived here for generations to be passionate about the town. Sandy takes particular responsibility for Sports Alive each year.
	Sarah Cheeseman runs Peekaboo.
	Mike Marsh from the Harbour Garden Cafe. Presents live music during the festival.
	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.
	George Lister is part of the business community with Samphire and Pearsons.
	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.