Meet the Organisers

Here's some info about the people who make VW Festival happen...

Paul aka Devo

Co-founder / Organiser

Current cars

VW Mk1 Golf, Audi A4 Estate

Why VW's?

Me and 2 mates bought a mk1 golf without even knowing what it is. 14 years later I've made loads of friends and had great experiences because of VW's

Favourite VWF moment

Seeing people leaving at the end of VW Festival 2007 (the flood year) with a smile on their faces was probably my favourite moment. That show was chaos, but somehow the team managed to pull the show together and make it work.

Lee Cowlishaw

Water Cooler show and shine Organiser

Current cars

1992 Corrado VR6, 2001 Audi RS4

Why VW's?

It could have worked out very differently. When i passed my test i was after a white escort to turn into an RS Turbo replica! Luckily a nice red mk2 Golf 1300 popped up at the garage where my dad had his car serviced and that was it. Never owned anything but VAG. The golf was passed on to my brother. Two corrado's followed,first was stolen, still have the second one A20 LEE, tucked away. Only ever sold 1 car and that was to a friend who still has it!

Favourite VWF moment

Theres so many. Mainly the other guys and girls are great to work with over the weekend, lots of fun and mickey taking make setting up a massive event a joy when it should be very stressful. The 2011 show n shine parade was special for me as we've wanted to do it that way for years but traffic and time constraints made it difficult. Harewood Arms at 7pm with friends, cold drink and a burnt face....That's VWF!

Hermann zee German

Air Cooled show and shine Organiser

Current cars

Why VW's?

I got a 1964 beetle while at University and really got into the chilled VW scene.

Favourite VWF moment

Nicola aka Digger

Managing Administrator and Organiser

Current cars

Seat Altea

Why VW's?

Since meeting Paul I wasn't allowed to drive anything but a VAG. I've owned 3 and my favourite was the new Beetle. Hopefully I'll get my N11C VW plate onto a Tiguan by the end of 2012.

Favourite VWF moment

Sat with an ice cream at the end of the first VW Festival in 2005, happy that everything had gone well.

Mallo

Official Photographer / Organiser

Current cars

VW Passat Estate

Why VW's?

The love of MK4 Golf R32's, i always wanted to own a Mk4, 4x MK4's later, one a cover car and featured in the UK & Greece & i was addicted.

Favourite VWF moment

2010 Allowed onto the roof of Harewood house to take photos, looking onto an event that is truly amazing. A real family atmosphere

Dave McCormack

Graffiti Organiser

Current cars

1955 Volksrod Beach Buggy, 1972 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, MK5 Golf

Why VW's?

Family had a few Beetles and Buses as a kid so obvious choice for my first car was a bug (which I still own 20 years later).

Favourite VWF moment

Seeing the amazing graffiti that Autograph create and it just gets better and better every year.

Shane aka Shaney B

Co-founder / Organiser

Current cars

VW T5 Campervan, BMW 3 Series Coupe

Why VW's?

Since buying my first old VW, a 1971 Beetle for 150 quid. He had been sat in a garage for 10 years after failing his MOT. Within a few hours he was running again, and after that I just haven't seemed to be able to stop!!

Favourite VWF moment

Late afternoon of 26th June 2005, as the first ever VW Festival draws to a close. Eating an ice cream on quite possibly the hottest day of the year so far, with sun burn on the back of my calves and a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach!

Alex aka Alexdundee

Trade Stand organiser

Current cars

1964 Splitty Campervan, 1966 Lowered Beetle, 1974 Bay window Project, 1995 VW Golf GTi 20L 8V

Why VW's?

In '96 i bought my first 1969 Bay window campervan in Australia and traveled around for about 6 Months, sinds then I wanted one and desided to buy a 1964 Splitty! I love the vibe and camping with likeminded people, So soon after that i needed a daily driver and whats better then a 1966 Beetle, The looks you get when driving the Aircooled is just amazing! Love the Sound and smell of the Aircooled engine!

Favourite VWF moment

Every year from 2006, The Day before the big Event starts, i just love to be a part of the Team and setting out the grounds ready for a fantastic VW Festival weekend.

Iain aka Weeman

Club Organiser

Current cars

Mk4 Golf Estate and Polo G40

Why VW's?

My first car was a MK2 Polo Coupe, loved it from the start and always wanted to own a G40 from then on. Few years later i bought one and have never looked back since.

Favourite VWF moment

Managing to put on one of the best shows of the year come rain or shine, and we have had our fair share of both over the years! Yet it never seems to ruin the atmosphere

Lucie B

Managing Administrator and Organiser

Current cars

VW T5 Campervan, Land Rover Discovery

Why VW's?

I had my first Beetle in 1994 when I was aged 18, before I had even passed my driving test. It was an 1974 'N reg nick named 'Beefy Chubster'. I have always loved old VW Beetles, and who would have known back then that 17 years later we would be organising the 8th VW Festival!!

Favourite VWF moment

There are two really, the first is sitting on the steps in front of Harewood House just as the last few cars left the North Front after the very first VW Festival, and the other is surprisingly the flood year where I spent most of the day helping to push out cars stuck in the mud!! good times!!

Kev

Trade Organiser since 2005

Current cars

Passat tdi 130 sport

Why VW's?

my first mk2 golf

Favourite VWF moment

The first one ,volunteered to help out and never looked back

El Russell aka ElDriver

Photographer / Club organiser

Current cars

Golf Mk2 16v & Audi A3 TDI

Why VW's?

Always loved the look of a mk2 golf and after buying one for my first car I knew I would never drive anything other than VAG again!

Favourite VWF moment

Every year I enjoy watching the campsite and show ground fill up with all shapes and sizes of VAG cars!

Phil Bell

Club Stand organiser

Current cars

Corrado VR6

Why VW's?

The atmosphere at shows and how people are with each other.

Favourite VWF moment

Last years Dance tent the live music and the people dressed up!

Phil Anastasi

Colorado King

Current cars

Mini Cooper and Volvo V50 R-Design (err?)

Why VW's?

Always liked beetles and camper vans as a kid and am sure I will own one eventually :-)

Favourite VWF moment

Seeing an original idea turn into reality in 2005 and growing year on year ever since.

Dave Ward

Organiser

Current cars

2005 MK5 Golf GTI, 1972 Beetle

Why VW's?

I rebuilt a Beetle with my Dad for my first car, and I've still got it!

Favourite VWF moment

The Show and Shine awards 2011

Sophie

Organiser

Current cars

2006 Ibiza FR TDI

Why VW's?

Dave Ward's Beetle!

Favourite VWF moment

At the 2011 show when all the cars were parked up (and there was no queue down the drive to Harewood) and the show began!