Tributes to Trent DJ and teashop owner

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular tea shop owner and "pioneer" of Nottingham broadcasting who has died of cancer.

Graham Knight, 60, who had been ill for 18 months, was one of Trent FM's founding DJs before he retired and set up the General Store in Sherwood seven years ago, selling high quality tea, coffee and chocolate from around the world.

His son, Matthew, 30, said: "He had always had a passion for coffee, chocolate and tea.

"He saw them as three different types of consumption and was very interested in the social history behind them.

"It's been a very popular shop. People have been coming from quite a distance. I think people came to buy products but they spent as much time there chatting to my dad. It was a conversational shop."

But Mr Knight's wife, Cherry, 58, and his children, have decided to close the shop following his death. "So many people have been coming in the shop. It's been really nice to hear how many knew him. It's a huge loss to us and to Sherwood," said Matthew.

Mr Knight was originally from Birmingham, where he worked for Cadbury, and moved to Sherwood in the 1970s. He told the Evening Post in 2006 that the idea for the General Store started out as a throwaway remark.

He was one of the founding DJs on Trent FM, then Radio Trent, when it launched in 1975 and hosted a mid-morning show on Radio Derby and regular slots on BBC Radio 2. He went on to run an award-winning broadband business and played a role in developing BBC websites.

Mr Knight also helped establish a journalism section on the Amnesty International website and co-wrote the book Outings in the Peak District.

Dick Stone, programme director at Trent FM, said: "Graham was one of the pioneers of broadcasting in Nottingham, as one of the original presenters on Trent FM he helped make us the success we are today. He will be sadly missed and was one of radio's gents – always considerate, thought-provoking and respectful.

"His energy, hard work and insight in the early days of Trent FM paved the way for a long and successful career in radio in the East Midlands.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of one of Nottingham's modern-day legends."

Jan Rogers, who used to produce his shows at Radio Derby, also paid tribute to the "dedicated" broadcaster. "He was exceptionally talented and had that classic presenter's enthusiasm," she said. "Graham was a very kind and generous man who was a delight to work with."

Mr Knight's funeral is at Bramcote Crematorium tomorrow at 4.15pm.

sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk