20th February 2026
It is with enormous sadness that we have to announce the death of Kath Auton.
Kath was our longest serving Trustee and our Membership Secretary.
She became our Membership Secretary in November 2009. During her tenure she welcomed well over 2,500 new members to the Trust; in fact more than three quarters of our members have only ever known Kath in the role.
She joined the Board of Trustees in January 2010.
Right from the start she was everywhere, always ready to help. She stood on our promotional trailer, she was a stalwart at all our Festivals and she was fundamental to setting up Hollingwood Hub when it opened in 2011. More recently she has been the foundation of our Information Centre & Shop at the Hub, working there at least once a week and dropping in on most days to thank the volunteers and clean up.
Amongst the enormous number of tributes that we have received, this sums up how many will feel:
“I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Kath. To me she represented the very best in kind, committed, skilled, volunteering, and leadership rooted in a great personality. Kath was one of those rare and special people who every time you met her she selflessly made you feel better.
“Kath will be a great loss to the Trust, though she has created a wonderful legacy of supporters and achievements that will last for decades to come.”
At Kath’s funeral, there was a retiring collection for Ashgate Hospice, but you can still donate online. If you do, please select “In memory of someone” and enter Kath’s name. Up to now, £3,460 has been received by the hospice. Thank you very much indeed for this fabulous response.
