We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Paul Allen Knight.
Paul was the eldest son of the late Canon Ernest Paul Knight and Florence Ina Knight, born in their family home in Lincoln on the 17th of July 1937. He was and continued to be a great joy to them both, in particular to his mother – to whom he was extremely close.
Paul’s mother’s family were from Lincolnshire, however Pauls fathers family were from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Paul’s father left the Forest in search of “a better life”.
When Paul was born, his father was a master baker managing 3 bakeries and also a Lay Preacher. His mother was a housewife, however was and continued to be a great support to his father in his ambition to become a priest and became an extremely effective vicar’s wife.
Paul always loved the outdoors and freedom it offered and from a young age spent his holidays and free time outside. Whilst in Lincoln this led to him helping a local farmer.
Paul was introduced to sport at Lincoln, and would regularly watch Lincoln City play football with his father – a team he loyally supported all his life.
Paul’s mother had been academic, musical and accomplished at sport, however sadly her father prevented her from continuing her education or allowing her to play sport. This had a huge influence on Paul’s life.
His mother therefore focused her energies in getting the best start possible for her children: she arranged for Paul to have singing lessons, which to her delight resulted in his gaining a place in the Lincoln Cathedral Choir and at the Choir School. In 1951 Paul was confirmed and at the same time his father was ordained as a Deacon in the Church of England.
In 1953 the family, now comprising three sons, Paul, Bruce and Tim moved to Sutton Bridge, where Paul’s father took responsibility for his first parish, St Mathew’s.
Whilst a good move for the family, the local education provision did not impress Paul’s mother, so Paul boarded for a short time at Lincoln (which he hated) and then moved to Spalding Grammar.
Paul’s resilience and initiative were honed at Boarding School though and Paul learnt a number of ways to win food – you can read more about this in Camilla’s Eulogy within the Order of Service.
At Spalding Grammar Paul met Tony Cross, his lifelong friend, and to whom he was best man to Tony and his wife Judy. Paul continued to develop his love of music, now playing the saxophone and also his love of sport playing hockey and cricket – which he played to a high level and also umpired as he got older.
Paul’s love of the countryside was developed at Sutton Bridge and he became passionate about Botany. He managed the vicarage grounds and grew many flowers/fruit and veg – much to the delight of the parisheners whose faith/interest in the land was equal to or almost more than their faith in God!
Whilst at Sutton Bridge Paul joined a diocese to visit Sweden. The trip to Sweden in 1954 “was like entering another world”. Sweden had remained neutral during the war and as such in Pauls words “everything was maintained and in good working order, the shops contained high quality goods and the people all looked well and were well dressed”. This trip made a huge impression on Paul – but little was he to know of how much of an impact it would have on his life!
After Spalding Grammar, Paul went to Culham College near Oxford to conduct teacher training. Another lifelong friend was made here – David Seaton, who sadly cannot be here, but who kept regular contact with Paul. They played cricket and hockey together and Paul taught David to drive.
Paul’s first teaching post was in Secondary Education in Holbeach wat George Farmer Secondary Modern where he took up special responsibility for rural science and he took a group of pupils to Chelsea Flower Show – making a huge impression on them.
In 1961, the family moved to the vicarage in Deeping St James. Paul decided to change schools to save the commute to Holbeach and also decided to change from Secondary to Primary Education. His ambition had always been to be a Head Master and he thought that there would be better promotion prospects in primary because there were fewer men competing for the posts.
In 1962 Paul’s personal life was to change for ever. “The most important person in my life arrived at the vicarage – a 16 year old Swedish exchange student – Ann-Christine. “ Paul expressed this introduction as “love at first sight” and duly in 1965 they were married.
In January 1969 two major events happened, Paul lost his dear mother suddenly after a short illness and within the space of 10 days he became a father to Camilla. As Paul and his mother had been, Paul and Camilla were extremely close.
In 1970, Paul’s wish came true and he was appointed Head of the Malcolm Sargent’s School, a new school in Stamford, with Barbara Stokes. The school started with ~ 10 children and when Paul retired in 1995, with Barbara as Deputy, there were ~650 children – and the school had the highest percentage passing the 11+ to get into the local grammar school. Whilst Head Paul also became an active member, during the 1980’s and 1990’s, of the NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) representing East Anglia and through this work was involved in the development and review of educational policies. He made some great friends during this period – Derek Knight, Eric Pilkington and John Wootton – who kept in touch with Paul.
Paul and Ann-Christine aspired to live on Vicarage Park (the posh bit!) of Oakham and their dream came true in 1978 when they bought a plot of land and Paul designed the house and garden and Ann-Christine designed the interior. The garden looked so good that friends asked if they could use the garden for their children’s wedding photo’s – to which of course Paul said yes!
Paul loved rugby and whilst at Oakham had opportunity to watch the Tigers player – when at home.
Paul continued to be involved in education through his work with OFSTED which he continued to do whilst living in his retirement home in Bournemouth. However ill health sadly put a stop to this by the early 2000’s.
The Bournemouth years were a time that sadly were over whelming dominated by ill health – first regular vet visits –of their dear dogs Max and Mini, then Ann-Christine who passed away in January 2012 and of course the deterioation in Paul’s health. This period was not however without its joy - Paul and Ann-Christine’s many cruises and their friendships in particular with a very kind but probably a little crazy Norwegian vet – Sylvia!
Paul moved to Hollybank Rest Home, Botley in 2012. As with wherever else he went he made an impression, continued to develop people and made new friends. Diana visited him twice a week every week and she became extremely dear to him and him to her. He enjoyed chatting to the staff at Hollybank – he was particularly fond of Adie and Sue. He also, even though so poorly, taught one of the staff members to read!
It was with great pleasure to Paul that Camilla married Malcolm in 2013 and in 2014 produced his first grandchild “Christopher” – who is now 18 months and loved to visit Paul.

Throughout his life Paul was deeply cherished and will he will be sadly missed.