Welcome to Whitstable!
and welcome to the WOFA website. On these pages you can find out more about the Association, formed by Whitstable people, to organise and develop the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival with the support of Canterbury City Council.
WOFA was formed from the Whitstable Oyster Festival Advisory Group who worked in conjunction with 2005-2007 Festival Co-ordinator Art Hewitt and the Events department of Canterbury City Council in providing the highly successful 2006 Oyster Festival. The record-breaking 2007 Festival was the result of this new partnership.
The formation of WOFA is seen as the natural progression in bringing back the responsibility for organising the Festival to the people of Whitstable who are best placed to keep it relevant and true to the heritage of the town whilst developing it towards a sustainable future.
The aims of the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association are described in its Constitution as follows:
The Association's objects 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 this describes you and 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 'Involvement' page.