R W Knight & Son is celebrating its 50th year anniversary in business this year. Established in 1974, the family run company has sold over 42,000 stoves and fires from the same family farm at Marshfield, near Bath, some of which buildings date back to the 16th century.
Richard (Dick) Knight was the founder of the business which all started when he purchased a Jøtul stove in 1974 having seen the stove in a leaflet written in Norwegian! The stove came at the perfect timing, Dutch Elm Disease was reaching new heights, as was the oil crisis and campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (split wood not atoms). The new stove completely changed draughty Castle Farm and completely cured the constant smoke-filled room which resulted from previous heating solution an open fire.
Reporters from a farming magazine also experienced the new wood stove, having thawed out in front of the log burner one winters day, and were so impressed that they published an article and photo of Richard’s wife Mary in front of the woodburning stove. The article prompted some 40 letters a day from people interested in the stove.
Some 50 years later the business Richard established expanded and grown. Not only do they continue to sell Jøtul stoves (founded in 1853) but also includes other leading manufacturers. Charnwood stoves, who also celebrated their 50th anniversary recently and manufacture on the Isle of Wight, and Stovax Gazco based at Exeter (founded 1981) who produce the country’s largest range of gas, electric and woodburning stoves and fires are amongst the brands on display.
Richard’s son Henry now runs Knight’s stoves along with the third generation of the family, Miriam. They have full confidence in the products sold and know they will benefit customers and give many years of reliable service. Woodburning is a carbon neutral, renewable source of heating. The business is keen to promote the advancements in the woodburning industry with appliances that go beyond government legislation for air cleanliness, which is why they sell Jøtul, Charnwood and Stovax products.
Today the showroom displays over 100 woodburning, gas and electric appliances from key leading manufacturers, complemented by an extensive collection of fireside accessories covering everything you could need for your stove or fireplace and a selection of outdoor heating and cooking products.
Unfortunately, Richard passed away earlier this year, but he checked on the business daily up to a week before his death.
As part of the businesses 50th anniversary celebrations the Knight family held open days for the public and introduced into the showroom newly launched intelligent wood burners. The Scan 67, a brand owned by Jøtul was one new addition. The wood stove showcases ground-breaking technology Zensoric, a new air control innovation which ensures the stove burns optimally at all times and even tells you when to reload wood, helping you save on running costs. R W Knight & Son also introduced the Charnwood Skye E700 which has a useful app and microprocessor built into the stove, the business is one of the first retailers to showcase this new stove. These newly launched intelligent stoves ensure you get the cleanest, highest efficiency burn.
As well as introducing customers to new technology and developments the team held a wonderful evening party where they paid homage to the first Jøtul stove bought by its founder with a stunning cake in the shape of the original F100 Jøtul wood stove. Local singer and fire performers Labyrinth Circus provided the entertaining and some 300 people attended the celebrations.
Here’s to another 50 years!
If you would like to visit Knight Stoves, they can be found in the original location,
Castle Farm located just outside the village of Marshfield, which is just off Bath junction 18 of the M4.
01225 891469 | www.knight-stoves.co.uk
Castle Farm Marshfield, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8H | Opening hours 9-5, Mon-Sat