Festival Organisation
Canterbury City Council and the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association have appointed The Event Umbrella as a Delivery Partner for the 2013 festival.
Contact The Event Umbrella at whitstableoysterfestival@theeventumbrella.com
Festival Organisation
Festival Director: Rachel Baker
Canterbury City Council, Events Officer: Liz Flynn
Whitstable Oyster Festival Association Committee
David Roberts: Chairman
Rod Lupton: Secretary
Daphne Bird
Emily Turner
Nick Parry
Liz McGowan
Christine Rogers
Simon Wann
Lesley Griffiths
Petra Welch
Graham Bickley
Community Involvement
If you live work or own a business in the local community there are many ways you can be involved with the festival.
WOFA (the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association) members support the Festival Director and Council Event Team in delivering the Festival, providing local knowledge and working with local businesses to generate additional funding for festival events.
WOFAs’ constitutional 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 duration 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, food and sport”.
Full time members of WOFA attend once monthly (evening) meetings with the Festival Director and typically have an additional personal responsibility such as some event organisation or marketing support, but if you are not the committee type there are still ways you can be actively involved. Write to WOFA at wofa1@mail.com or ask about WOFA here
Become a Festival Friend
If you run a business in Whitstable, one of the best and easiest ways to help the Oyster Festival is by becoming a Festival Friend. Becoming a Friend costs just £100 and all Festival Friends are credited in the programme and website. With Festival events attracting total audiences of circa 80,000, the Festival brings thousands of potential customers to the town, providing real economic benefits. Local residents also really appreciate the support that local businesses provide. If you would like to talk about becoming a Festival Friend simply contact us.
Become a Festival Volunteer…
Being a Festival Helper is a great way to contribute to the local community, and can be very rewarding. You doing need to dedicate days of your life – even a few hours during the very busy festival periods help out. If you are aged 18 or over, we need people who are confident and outgoing to help sell programmes, assist at selected events preparing and clearing event venues, help to steward audiences – really anything that needs doing! Your job is simply to make sure that everyone (including yourself) has an enjoyable and safe time.
If you want this experience for your C.V. we are happy to provide a report of your achievements. To be part of the Festival all you need to do is give us a few details about you and your preferences so we can find a suitable role for you. Note that information will only be held by the Whitstable Oyster Festival Association and will be removed at your request.
