Memories reporter Kath dies, 89

A FORMER Chronicle reporter who had numerous roles at the paper she loved has died aged 89.

Kath Baskett (nee Holmes), but known to our readers as Kath Parkin, will be remembered for her coverage of court cases from the magistrates’ court and her very popular Memories stories. She also contributed an agony aunt column at one point and, such was her versatility, even chipped in with some sports reporting.

Born in London, Kath actually moved to Barnsley as an evacuee with her two sisters, Brenda and Janet, during The Blitz. She never moved back to the capital and instead made Barnsley her home, living in Pogmoor. After a spell working at Bury and Walkers, Kath moved into journalism and worked on and off at the Chronicle for 50 years.

She died on Tuesday evening at Barnsley Hospital.

Sister Brenda Garnett said: “She loved every aspect of working at the newspaper. She absolutely loved it at the Chronicle. She even met her second husband, Bill, through her memories column.

“She was football-mad and had been looking forward to watching the Lionesses this week. She had been poorly a long time. We had great fun when we were younger. There was lots of laughter and there is a great sense of humour in our family. I will miss her dearly.”

Kath was married twice and leaves behind widow Bill, who moved from New Zealand to Pogmoor be with her.

She will be buried with her first husband Neville at Gawber cemetery at a date to be confirmed. Kath also leaves behind children Nicholas and Elizabeth and granchildren Louise and Thomas.