BIKERS from all over the UK are expected to turn out in their droves to pay their respects to a well-loved former Stourport motorcycle shop owner.
Alec Dorrell, who owned Alec Dorrell Motorcycles on Vale Road, sadly died on Friday, March 3 aged 87.
Affectionately known as Acker, he owned his beloved shop from 1974 until May last year, after having a passion for motorcycles since he was a child.
Alec, who was born in Bewdley before living in Areley Kings then Stourport, served two years in the British Army between 1954 and 1956.
He got married to his wife, Brenda in 1958 and went on to have three children, Kim, Clive, and Steve.
It was at one of their first homes in Stourport which had a large car garage where Alec explored his biking passion, repairing from home his friend’s road and motoX bikes and building his own 650 Triumph Triton.
Before taking the plunge to open his motorcycle shop, Alec worked at Stourport Gas Works then joined RAF MU Hartlebury as a civilian driver.
In 1974, Alec Dorrell Motorcycles opened its doors and would go on to serve thousands of customers over its 48 years of trading.
Alec’s son, Steve Dorrell said: “The Vale Road shop also became a meeting place and a social hub for biking enthusiasts from all over the Midlands and beyond.
“Acker did not embrace big changes in technology like online MOT Testing, instead preferring to provide a very old school, hands-on, unique type of customer service.”
In 1978, Alec was joined by his mechanic, salesman and ‘right arm’ Andy Lucas, also known as Ben and worked together until retiring on May 7 last year when the shop closed its doors.
Family holidays were usually based around motorbikes with Alec often taking various members of the family to the Isle of Man TT races usually by motorbike.
Steve, Kim and Clive have all been tied to Alec via a large belt to make sure they didn’t fall asleep and fall off the back of the bike.
Rather than retiring at 65, Alec, who leaves behind six grandchildren, worked at the shop until he was 86 as it was ‘more of a way of life than a job’.
In 1984, after Brenda and Alec divorced, he fell in love with Margaret Fortune, affectionately known as Margie and his ‘motorcycling soul mate’.
Steve said: “Acker and Margie became life partners who complemented each other so well for over 30 years.
“Together they shared road biking, Teme Valley motoX adventures and camper van holidays all over the UK and beyond.
“With the passing of Margie in October 2021, Acker lost his life partner and soul mate.
“Acker was loved, cared for and supported by virtually everyone he met and is often referred to by many as “a true legend of Stourport”.”
Alec’s funeral is being held on Thursday, April 6 at 2.30pm at Wyre Forest Crematorium and any bikers wishing to accompany Alec’s hearse are asked to meet at 1.45pm at Alec Dorrells Motorcycles.
The wake will take place at Stourport Swifts clubhouse to celebrate Alec’s life.
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