Registered charity no.1176738. The Geranium Trust is here to offer friendship and support to anyone regardless of age, faith, ethnicity, status or sexual orientation who is living with bereavement or loneliness and feeling isolated. We also offer our support to the family, friends and carers of those suffering from chronic or mental illness.
All our trustees and administrative staff are volunteers. We do not employ any paid staff and apart from a few minor running costs all money raised goes to the good causes supported by the charity.
The Geranium Trust was founded in memory of
Geoff Kemp (1950 - 2017)
Geoff died from a cancer related illness in February 2017. His partner, with the support of Geoff's family and friends, decided that he would like others to enjoy the beautiful gardens and farmland around the house that they shared and loved for many years. The two acre field, to the west of Court House, is now known as 'Geoff's Meadow' where young trees and wild flowers have been planted. It's a place of peace and quiet where those who need a little solitude can go and rest a while.
Why the name Geranium Trust? Well Geoff was a botanist and his favorite plant was the wild British Geranium the Cranesbill or Herb Robert. So the charity was named after this humble little hedgerow plant that Geoff loved so much.
Geoff Kemp 1950 - 2017
We have opened a Geranium Trust FREE Library, on dry days, at the gate of Court House. All books are FREE, but if you wish to give a donation please do. Could you have one by your gate?
Email us if you are interested. geraniumtrust@gmail.com
How We Offer Our Hand Of Friendship
Tea Parties
& Coffee Mornings
We organise Monthly Tea Parties 2 - 4 pm on the last Friday in the month at the home of our chairman, Court Barn, Court House, Stoford, Nr Yeovil. If you live in the Yeovil or the Sherborne area and suffer from loneliness or feel isolated, then come along and join us. Or maybe you'd like to organise your own Tea Parties in the area were you live? If so email us for more information.
Tuesday Gardening Group
There are more than 26 acres of land at Court House. We have been given the use, rent free, for most of this land to use as a community garden and wildlife haven. This offers a chance for people who feel trapped in their homes to get out into the fresh air and make new friends while gardening and doing wildlife studies. To find out more Email: geraniumtrust@gmail.com
Loneliness in the comunity
Loneliness in the community is a great problem these days with friends, neighbours and family all leading such busy lives leaving many elderly and house bound folk feeling isolated and alone. This is an area that we would very much like to explore to see just how we may be able to offer help and support. Maybe by taking a personal 'one to one' tea party to the homes of those who are alone.
Keep In Touch
Ask for our diary of events for 2023
geraniumtrust@gmail.com
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Geoff's Meadow
Memory Garden
Geoff's Meadow is the two acre field to the west of Court House. It's original name on the old tithe map is 'Higher Home Orchard'. It's a place of peace where you can walk, think, or maybe sit & relax on a bench and read a book. Many of the young trees have been planted in memory of a loved one. Two of the trees have been planted in memory of pet dogs and one in memory of a hampster.
'Friend's Table' Sunday
Roast Dinner & Tea
We organise a monthly Sunday roast dinner called "Friend's Table" where older folk can enjoy a good roast dinner, followed by afternoon tea with cakes and make friends. Places are limited so this is by invitation only at the moment.
LGBT+ Social, Friendship
& Support
We also run an LGBT+ social support & friendship group for those feeling alone and isolated. Every month we organise a full three course Sunday Roast Dinner. We do ask for a small donation to cover the cost of the food.
We also hold a monthly LGBT Coffee Morning.
Contact us for full details.
Email: geraniumtrust@gmail.com
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Two of the many bird nesting boxes placed in trees in Geoff's Meadow. The little Dutch House was a gift from Ron and Ton, two friends in the Netherlands. Sadly Ton died of cancer in July 2018 and Ron passed away a couple of years later. See Ton's Walnut tree down in Geoff's Meadow and there is also a special Hazel tree close by planted in memory of Ron.
The English Oak Tree In The Meadow.
At the end of February 2017 Michael, Brian and Paul made a trip to visit a specialist tree nursery near to Bristol and after a lot of thought chose this 15ft English Oak to plant in memory of Geoff. We placed his, and Paul's parents, ashes by the side of the tree on 3rd June the day that the meadow was blessed.