Trevor Knight – lock keeper larger than life
IT IS with great sadness that we report the sudden death of Trevor Knight, the lead Canal & River Trust lock keeper at Knowle Locks on the Grand Union, in Solihull, West Midlands, on December 4, 2021.
Trev, as he was known to all, was the son of Bob Knight, who was the last official lock keeper at Knowle from 1969 to the late 1980s. Trev grew up at the lock keeper’s cottage, returning to live at the locks with his partner Max many years later aboard his beloved narrowboat, built by his stepdad Mick and his brother at Les Allen’s yard at Oldbury.
With his amazing team of volunteers he worked tirelessly at the locks, transforming them from a sad state of neglect into a local tourist attraction listed on Google.
He had a passion and endless enthusiasm for maintaining the Knowle flight to an extremely high standard. Along with his team of trusty volunteers, he ensured the locks ran like a Swiss watch!
Aside from helping boats navigate the flight, anything that stood still was painted, anything green was cut, flower beds, rockeries, planters and vegetable patches were planned, designed and created as well as maintenance of the bumpy service road. Trev was never off duty, never had a day off and worked tirelessly along with his team of volunteers to create a wonderful environment at the flight. One commentator remarked recently: “Trev, a top bloke, steered his own course.” Indeed he did. A force to be reckoned with, Trev had the amazing capacity to interpret certain managerial directives such as: ‘No, you can't do that’ into: ‘ Yes, of course you can, off you go!’
He would think nothing of buying his own equipment to get the job done to his exacting standards.
Trev’s funeral was on January 13, 2022 and he made his final journey down his beloved Knowle Locks, borne aloft on his narrowboat like the chieftain he was, surrounded by those who were fortunate enough to love, know or work alongside him. A character larger than life, supportive and kind to the last, Trev will be missed by many, especially for his endless enthusiasm and energy, fantastic sense of humour and infectious laugh. Trev leaves behind his partner Max, daughters Beth and Katie, grandson Arthur, stepdad Mick and a bereft community of CRT volunteers and boaters. Trev, Rest In Peace.