As the 2007 Whitstable Oyster Festival comes to a close we would like to say a very big Thank-You to everyone who was involved in the Festival, as a participant, event producer, partner, sponsor, resident or visitor.

When all the reviews, attendance numbers and coverage of the Festival is fully analysed it looks certain to equal or surpass the record breaking 2006 Festival.

There is still more to come in terms of photographic records and the seeds of ideas implemented during the past nine days that will yet flourish into benefits for the people of Whitstable.

On top of this, we all had a helluva good time!

The Whitstable Oyster Festival Association will be arranging a meeting in early September where those involved can be thanked personally and those thinking of getting involved can also join in to discuss the way forward to WOF2008, the 2008 Whitstable Oyster Festival.

This meeting will also be the last that Art Hewitt, the Festival Co-ordinator for the past three Festivals, attends in his role before he moves on to new challenges. We are sure that the many friends that Art has made among the people of Whitstable would like the opportunity of showing their appreciation of the fantastic job he has done for us and to wish him the very best for the future.

Further details will follow as arrangements are made.

Labels: Art Hewitt, Whitstable Oyster Festival 2007, WOFA

As the 2007 Whitstable Oyster Festival ends it's first weekend, images of Whitstable and the Festival events are appearing around the world on the Internet.

The quality of the images are excellent and bring out the spectacle of the opening days filled with colour and rhythm.

The international appeal of the Festival was evident with visitors from around the world including many who took part in the annual Oyster Eating Competition.

Here's a pick of the bunch of early images:

David Spitz

Sue Lovell

My Whitstable

WOFA

Laine

Christina Burrows (Whitstable Photos)

Labels: Whitstable Oyster Festival 2007 pictures

Art Hewitt, the co-ordinator of the 2007 Whitstable Oyster Festival, entered the Oyster Eating Competition held today at Whitstable Harbour. Unfortunately the showman in him got the better of his competitive instincts and he managed to record what will go down in the annals of Whitstable history as the slowest time ever recorded in this annual competition.



Interviewed afterwards Art said "If I've learnt anything whilst working here amongst the people of Whitstable it's that there's no need to rush anything."

Labels: Art Hewitt, Oyster, Whitstable

After 12 months of planning the 2007 Whitstable Oyster Festival has officially started. See the programme and website for the great list of events to come in the next 9 days.

Labels: Festival., Oyster Company, Whitstable

Printed copies of this years Whitstable Oyster Festival Programme are moving fast. The organisers have distributed thousands around the town but are holding back a few thousand to hand out to residents and visitors during the festival.

Don't worry if you don't have yours yet. You can now download the programme in PDF format online at http://www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk/assets/wof2007.pdf

The increasing strength of the Whitstable Oyster Festival as a recognised high point of the summer was once again illustrated today in a feature in The Times on sea food.

Introducing the piece with the mention of St James, the patron Saint of Oysters, the article continues with mentions and links to the Whitstable Oyster Company and Wheelers Oyster Bar.

This is indicative of the way that a continuing successful Oyster Festival constantly keeps Whitstable on the map and benefits local companies by their association with it.

Other Press coverage has included Kent Life magazine, other national titles, internet event and food guides.

The Whitstable Gazette newspaper, part of the KM group, has also been keeping local residents informed of the Festival with interviews and quotes from WOFA members and Art Hewitt, the 2007 Festival Co-ordinator.

Labels: Newspaper, Oyster Company, Wheelers Oyster Bar.