Is the Owner of Godstone
Glass and has 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 Loundes and Drury 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.
He 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 26 years now. He has experienced
many changes over the years in the glass trade
some he doesn't always agree with and has had
to accept that some things he will never fully
get to grips with so he 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 was awarded 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!
Sharon Knowles
Ms Sharon Knowles is the eldest
daughter of Mr David Knowles CBE and has followed
in her father’s footsteps in becoming a
leaded light maker and since she joined the business
in 1984 has come to run the business alongside
her father stepping into both roles as a designer
of leaded lights and a company director managing
the day to day running of the business. As with
most of the team at Godstone Glass Sharon started
as an apprentice in the cement shop, progressing
over the years and becoming involved with many
projects making stained glass windows. Two of
Sharon’s larger projects were lead work
of windows that were made by the leading artist
Alan Younger. The Rose window at St Albans and
the second project was the Henry VII chapel window
at Westminster Abbey commissioned by Lord &
Lady Harris, Sharon has also worked on many of
the late Alan Younger’s other designs. One
of Sharon’s ideals when producing bespoke
leaded light panels for our clients is to involve
the customer in the whole process. This ensures
that all the clients requests and idea’s
can be fulfilled and in turn creating a truly
unique piece. Sharon now with her many years of
experience creates more and more ambitious designs.
Janet Tibbs
Janet Tibbs first worked for
D T Knowles Glassworks in Oxted for 26 year sas
his secretary her many roles included Accounts,
Wages and running the financial side of the business
along with David’s Personal work as at that
time David was heavily involved with The Royal
British Legion. Janet then had a short break but
returned to Godstone Glass in 2000, where her
role continues with much of the same work. Mr.
Knowles and Ms Sharon Knowles consider Janet to
be more than their Personal Assistant as over
the years she has become part of our family.
Steve Pearce
Steve has worked for Mr David
Knowles CBE 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 came along; he is
one of the sought after glaziers that can still
glaze the old fashion way which is starting
to creep back into the glaziers work, putty
glazing, front puttying!
Steve’s continued dedication to his work
is much appreciated by us and working alongside
Terry the 2 man team accomplish many types of
glazing together. From installing Mirrors and
UPVC windows to the elaborate and sometimes
complicated methods required for Stained Glass
leaded Lights. Steve’s ability to conquer
the most awkward glazing situations is a credit
to his knowledge of glazing throughout the years
he has been in the trade.
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
Terry joined our team in 2004
and now works alongside Steve glazing our windows.
They both make quite the team, and whether it’s
scaling scaffolding that others are queasy at
the sight of, or working as part of the team in
the yard he has definately brought many varying
talents to the team. Terry is a great asset to
our team and has a way of making very stressful
situations light hearted and he uses his humour
to bring smiles to us all. The whole team wish
him continued success here at Godstone Glass.
Colin Rhodes
Colin has worked in the glazing
trade making leaded light windows and stained
glass panels for many years. Working for David
Knowles when David was first in business, Colin
has seen many changes over the years. The biggest
change was the name change of DT Knowles Glassworks
to Godstone Glass in 1995. At this time Colin
worked for a period of 13 years for another
studio recently returning to work for David
in January 2008. Colin was one of the Glazier’s
when Sharon first joined the glazing team in
the workshop to have taught Sharon how to make
leaded lights alongside other team members at
the time.
We consider Colin to be a valuable member
of our team who has fitted in very nicely and
we welcome him and his experience!! We wish
him many happy years with us.
Ruth Inglis
Ruth has been close to the
Knowles family for over 20 years and it was
a stroke of luck that brought her to us. Once
back in touch, Ruth Started working part time
for Godstone Glass in the spring of 2008, we
were pleased to make the position permanent
in June and now Ruth has fitted in comfortably
and has become a valuable member of the team.
The aim of the company is for Ruth to learn
many aspects relating to the manufacture and
installation process of stained glass leaded
light panels. Ruth is very quick at learning
the new skills involved in the glass trade both
in the workshop and the office environment,
showing much enthusiasm and potential. We welcome
her to our family and wish her success with
us in the coming years.
