Music event fundraiser for Oliver Curd Trust

The idea of the Oakfest Festival was first conceived back in 2013 by Matt Parsons based in Peasmarsh, in memory of his best friend Andy, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - a rare form of Bone Cancer.

At the tender age of 17, Andy was treated with four months chemotherapy and had to have an amputation.

He also had operations on both lungs to remove tumours. After treatment he received the news on his 18th birthday that his condition was terminal. He sadly passed away in February 2004.

In 2014 Matt together with his father John Parsons, decided to hold a one-off all day Oakfest Music Festival, to mark the 10th anniversary of Andy’s death, with all proceeds going to The Teenage Cancer Trust.

The Festival was such a success that local people requested it be repeated in following years, so that donations could be made to other causes.

Due to the sheer volume of people who had attended Oakfest 2014, and massive support from musicians, local people and businesses nearby, Matt and John decided to look for a larger venue, settling on a field just outside of Peasmarsh village.

Each year progressively more people are attending and in 2015 a staggering £3,500 was raised for The Oliver Curd Trust. This was set up in January 2008 by Oliver’s parents Richard and Sarah. Oliver was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer, a Ewings Sarcoma, in April 2006. He completed treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in May 2007, but lost his long brave fight with the disease in November 2007. The objective of the charity is to provide fully equipped holiday accommodation to families supporting children and young people in the UK, suffering from childhood cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

All Oakfest volunteers, organisers, musicians, photographers and helpers give their time for free. The venue, bar, stage, lighting, sound system, drink, food, raffle prizes and Portaloos are all sponsored by local people and businesses - without which the festival could not go ahead. This year’s Music Festival will again be held in Aid of The Oliver Curd Trust.

Admission will be £5 - Adults (16 Years and upwards) - child £1. There is a packed entertainment programme with local bands and musicians performing from 1pm till 11.30pm. They include The Tourle Brothers, The Black Sheep, The Bling Crosbies, Carl Burgess & The Roosters, Paul & Janette, Phil Trainor, Roger Hubbard & Richard Studholme, Slam, Slap Bang, Total Mayhem, and Trace Walton.

Gates open at midday with free parking, real ales, refreshments, facepainting and a raffle.