Tribute: Bev Knights, Helston opened Subway shops south west

Beverley John Knights, known to all as Bev, died two days before Christmas, aged 76, and his funeral was held this month at St Michael’s Parish Church.

Bev was the son of Russell Knights, who opened his self-named department store in Coinagehall Street.

After being involved in the family business, Bev was then responsible for introducing Subway to Cornwall and the south west.

His life and achievements were recalled in the eulogy at his funeral, which was given by Bill Jackett Simpson, who described being Bev’s friend “from the time we could stand up, until his final days.”

He recalled tricycle riding around Helston and a “wonderful train set in the attic” they could go and see.

Bev grew up in a house near the top of Meneage Road and the pair would often bicycle down Grange Road – described as “Helston’s own alpine descent”, leading to more than one crash.

However, Bill acknowledged: “Perhaps such adversities helped develop the extraordinary skills and determination that we saw later in his life.”

Bev with his parents Russell and Dorothy Knights on Flora Day (Image: Family picture)

Bev attended Truro School – later followed by his son Oliver and stepson David – where he showed a great talent in art and a love of music. He learned the clarinet and later the saxophone, playing with the Falmouth Show Band.

After leaving school Bev trained in retail at Bentalls in Kingston, in preparation for him moving into the family business in Helston.

This was not before a sabbatical in Vancouver and San Francisco, however, which included being smuggled across the USA-Canadian border under a blanket in his brother’s car, due to inadequate border documents. This was followed by selling encyclopaedias door-to-door to raise money to get home.

Bev returned to Helston in 1970, living in Church Street and fully involving himself in the life of the town.

He was part of Helston Round Table and led the Flora Dance during that decade.

He joined Meneage Arts Group, relishing in ‘pantomime dame’ and ‘ugly sister’ roles, while playing leading parts in Showboat and West Side Story for Redruth Operatic Society – even appearing at the Minack Theatre.

Later in life he enjoyed seeing performances at the Cornwall Playhouse, volunteering when it began as the Hall for Cornwall.

Bev in his younger years (Image: Family picture)

In 1977 Bev married his wife Hilary and they had two sons, David and Oliver.

When the Russell Knights shop closed, Bev tried his hand at many things, from lock fitting to selling teak furniture, driving to Huddersfield each week to work as an agent and even sewing ribbons for the medals of the Zimbabwean army.

However, it was in 2005 that fate stepped in to change the trajectory of Bev’s life again.

While on a family holiday to Hawaii, Bev first discovered the Subway chain of sandwich shops.

He returned home with a Subway napkin and began looking into buying a franchise to open a shop in Truro. However, at that point there were no Subway stores in the south west, and only a handful in London.

Undeterred, Bev flew out to the US where he attended ‘sandwich school’ and persuaded the company to let him become development agent for the south west.

Soon he owned and operated five stores, as well as managing countless more for other owners, including the Subway at Spar in Helston.

He was responsible for stores from the south of Exeter to the Isles of Scilly and out to the Channel Islands.

Bev was held in high esteem by head office and the owner of the company, while after his death many messages were received from his staff praising his skills as a mentor and personality as a colleague.

Many referred to his “quiet kindnesses and generosity throughout his life.”

Bev dancing on Flora Day (Image: Family picture)

Sadness came in later life, following the death of his beloved wife Hilary.

He took comfort in his family, and Bev was also able to turn to family friend Kate Kirby, who had also recently lost her husband.

The two couples had been friends for more than 40 years, and over time their shared bond developed into more and Bev and Kate became a couple.

They lived together happily in Mawnan Smith, until Bev’s health started to deteriorate, and after being cared for initially by Kate he subsequently moved to Penhellis Nursing Home in Helston 18 months ago.

Here he was said to have received “exceptional care” and even while lying ill in bed last May, he was able to enjoy hearing Helston Town Band as the Flora Dance processed through Penhellis Gardens.

Bev passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 23 and his funeral was held on January 12 at St Michael’s Parish Church.

So far £1,287.50 has been raised in his memory for Cornwall Hospice Care, with donations still possible via https://beverleyknights.muchloved.com

Despite being well travelled Bev always felt rooted to Helston (Image: Family picture)

His partner Kate told the Packet: “He was a cultured, generous, charismatic man, who despite being hugely well travelled – having visited over 44 countries in his life – always felt rooted in Helston.

“Extremely sociable, he always had a friendly word for all he came across, loving entertaining and parties.

“He especially loved being with young people and children; he always lit up in their company, encouraging and inspiring, wanting to keep up with the latest ideas. His godchildren all speak very highly of him as the best godfather!”

She described him as a “true family man”, with his parents Dorothy and Russell, sister Angela and brother Brian always on his mind.

“I loved him deeply, as a friend, from 1969, and as a partner when we were both sadly widowed.

“We had a very contented few years living together in Truro, at my old home a Bishops Quay, St Martin, then moving together to Mawnan Smith until he needed full time care,” added Kate.

“How wonderful that he could live at Penhellis House then; it felt like coming home again to Helston for him.”