Former mayoress Barbara was a family woman

A former mayoress of Kirklees passed away peacefully on Sunday August 25 aged 84.
PROUD ROLE Barbara Pickles when she was Mayoress of Kirklees.PROUD ROLE Barbara Pickles when she was Mayoress of Kirklees.
PROUD ROLE Barbara Pickles when she was Mayoress of Kirklees.

Barbara Pickles was born on September 16, 1928, in Tanhouse Street, Ravensthorpe, and moved to Warren Street, Savile Town, in 1932.

She had a sister and two brothers, the eldest of whom died when she was four.

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Mrs Pickles attended St Mary’s School in Savile Town and Wheelwright Grammar School, before working as a hairdresser in Ossett.

She married political stalwart Fred Pickles in October 1962, shortly after he won a seat on Dewsbury Council.

Mr Pickles said she helped him in his duties for more than 40 years.

“She supported me in everything,” he said.

Mrs Pickles became mayoress of Kirklees in 1981.

“She met Princess Diana and Prince Charles just after they got married when they were opening a building in Huddersfield,” Mr Pickles said.

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She attended the Queen’s garden party three times, once as Mayoress.

“She did a wonderful job,” Mr Pickles added.

Mrs Pickles worshipped at St Mary’s, Savile Town, and Holy Innocents, Thornhill Lees, before joining the congregation at St Mary and St Michael, Whitley, in 1985.

Loving and caring for her children, Geoff and Jan, was always her priority.

She also cherished time with her five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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Mrs Pickles’ hobbies included dressmaking and tailoring – she even crafted her daughter’s wedding dress.

Mrs Pickles had suffered from ill health for a number of years, spending eight years in a wheelchair.

She spent the last three years at Fieldhead Court nursing home in Thornhill, where she died.

Although she suffered problems with her short-term memory, she still remembered fondly her time in Savile Town more than 50 years ago.

A service celebrating Mrs Pickles’ life will be held at Whitley Parish Church on Wednesday at 11.30am.

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