Ms Sharon Knowles the eldest
daughter of Mr knowles the current owner of
the business in the absence of her father when
he is away with his many charitable outlets.
Sharon has been running the business for a number
of years having first joined her fathers business
in 1984 at the age of 20, like Matt the new
apprentice. Sharon started as all leaded light
makers before her have done in the cement shop,
progressing over the years and involved in many
projects making stained glass windows. Two big
projects that Sharon leaded herself was for
renowned leading artist Alan Younger. The Rose
Window at St Albans and the other window was
Henry VII chapel at Westminster Abbey plus many
others for Alan.
When a Deacon on the Westminster approval committee
commented on lead work of Alan`s sample piece
saying that he hoped the old gentlemen leaded
light maker who had produced such leading and
soldering would survive the length of time to
produce this window. Alan proudly replied "the
lady who produces this beautiful leading and
soldering would be around for many years"
because at the time Sharon was in her mid 30`s.
Today Sharon`s involvement has seen the business
grow and grow, she now manages the team on a
daily basis and David entrusts the business
to his daughter for the future. (not that he
intends to retire mind you!!)
One of Sharon's personal ideals when producing
bespoke coloured leaded panels for our clients,
is to involve clients in the whole design process.
Thus making our customers feel they are an integral
part in the production of their finished installed
panels. A few of her many designs can be seen
on the website from her earlier days. Sharon
now creates more ambitious designs as with experience
her talent grows even further.
David Knowles CBE
Owner of Godstone Glass and
been in the glass trade for over 45 years. David
was training as an apprentice Baker! when a friend
of his decided the apprenticeship he was on as
a glazier was not for him so they exchanged apprenticeships
and neither one looked back. Learning the art
of glass at a studio called Lownes and Drewrey
in London, making leaded lights and stained glass
windows, repairs and fixing, he soon learnt a
lot to do with glazing all aspects of glass.He
started his own business some 35 or more years
ago when Sharon and her sisters Michelle and Andrea
were small. His first wife Sigrid who sadly passed
away in July 2001 convinced him to start up his
own glass business when Sharon was still a baby
a brave venture but one that over the years paid
off. Has suffered through the bad recession years
and come out the other side. With the help of
his daughter Sharon who has been in the glass
business some 20 years now and her husband Michael
he has been able to continue in the business he
loves. He has experienced many changes over the
years in the glass trade some he doesn't always
agree on and has had to accept that some things
he will never fully get to grips with and then
leaves that to the next generation but what he
doesn't know about fitting leaded lights you really
probably don't need to know!
David earnt the CBE from all
his charity work that he participates in (where
he gets the time or energy from we don't know!)
He was supposed to have retired at 65 but in our
opinion is more actively involved in the glass
business nowadays because we have a small team
and he probably will continue for a long time
to come as his passion for stained glass will
never die!
Janet Tibbs
Janet Tibbs has worked for David
as his secretary for a number of years, recently
joining the team again in 2002 after a break as
a secretary in the building industry. Remembers
Sharon from as young as 8 years old!!!!!
Steve Pearce
Steve has worked for Mr David
Knowles for more years than he can remember! He
has seen many changes over the years but has always
been versatile and learnt the new trends in glazing
as they come along, he is one of the sort after
glaziers that can still glaze the old fashion
way which is starting to creep back into the glaziers
work putty glazing! Whilst he has worked for Godstone
Glass he has seen many glaziers come and go over
the years, his father Bill was part of the team
but has since sadly passed away, but after all
the comings and goings of different people over
the years Steve has remained loyal and for that
we are grateful.
Terry Smith
Started working part time for
Godstone Glass in the summer of 2004, we were
pleased to offer him a full time place on the
team in the Autumn. Terry may be the newest member
of staff but has fitted in comfortably and has
become a valuable member of the team. We welcome
him to our family and wish him success with us
in the coming years.
