HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a former “innovative” head teacher of Holyrood Academy who died last weekend after a period of ill health.

Brian Knight had just turned 85 when he passed away on May 23, having thrown himself into all aspects of life in Chard.

Mr Knight was Holyrood head from April 1964 until July 1985 and was extremely well-known and well-thought of in the town as a member of the museum and Chard Local History Group.

Such was his passion for Chard, its young people and education, he recently visited current Holyrood head Martin Brook, despite being extremely ill.

Mr Brook told the News: “I was lucky to meet with Brian Knight only a few weeks ago when we he came in to Holyrood and we enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat.

“He was very interested in how things were going at school and had clearly lost none of his passion for giving the young people of Chard the very best education possible. We spent a delightful hour or so together and it was a real pleasure.

“I understand that when Brian was first appointed as the head teacher he was one of the youngest in the country. He was considered to be something of an innovator and went on to write several books on the subject of leading a school.

“I feel very proud to be able to continue his legacy at Holyrood. On behalf of all the staff, students, parents and governors, I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to Brian’s family and friends.”

Mr Knight was one of the founding trustees of Chard Museum, which opened in July 1970.

During the 1970s Mr Knight oversaw the extension of the museum, originally based in four former cottages in High Street, which became known as Godworthy House, into the former New Inn next door together with its adjacent skittle alley.

He later masterminded the fundraising needed to build the barn at the rear of the museum in 1986. This building is now known as Knight’s Barn in his memory.

When Chard commemorated the 750th anniversary of the granting of its first charter, Mr Knight was involved with the Chard 750 committee which organised a year-long series of events to celebrate this anniversary.

The highlight of the year was the visit to the town by Princess Anne, who visited the museum and officially opened the new displays marking 750 years of Chard’s history.

Born in Woodford, Essex, Mr Knight studied Modern History at St John’s College, Oxford, and went on to teach in Grammar schools in Slough and Westcliffe-on-Sea, and high schools in Ontario, Canada, and Pueblo, Colorado.

A humanist ceremony is being held at Taunton Crematorium on June 13 at 11am, and a further tribute from his family will follow after the funeral.