Kathleen Coales was a well-known artist, book illustrator and author of novels, poems and short stories. She lived with her family in their home on Burnmill Road. Her father, Herbert George Coales, was Chief Architect for the Council. He also wrote books under the name of ‘Mark Harborough.’

Kathleen Coales was a founding-member of Market Harborough Art Club, established in 1963. She received significant praise for her artwork, and her paintings were often displayed in Leicester Art Gallery. Following her death, the Art Club organised a memorial exhibition showcasing her work, which was sold for charity.

Along with others of her family, Kathleen was an active member of the Congregational Chapel and of the Scouting movement.

She wrote nine children’s books:

The Dodo’s Egg (1923)                         The Wharfbury Watch-dogs (1930)

The Pennyfound Puzzle (1931)           The Monkey Patrol (1932)

The Golden Horse (1934)                    The Secret of the Fens (1935)

The Mascot at no. 7 (1936)                  Patricia at the Wheel (1937)

Up with the Falcon (1938)