A Sad Day at Fowlers
The Bristol Evening Post wrote this about our founder Mr. Harold Fowler on 1st September 2006.
Fowlers boss dies
Motorcycle cavalcade for retail stalwart, 94
Harold Fowler, who started Bristol Motorcycle dealership Fowlers, passed away on Sunday 3rd September after a short illness.
In his honour a motorcycle cavalcade will pass the family business on the day of his funeral the 5th September.
Mr Fowler, who lived in Clapton-in-Gordano, joined the family business in 1927, just a few months after his parents Alice and Frank opened their first bicycle showroom.
He introduced motorcycles to the company, at a time when the general strike was in full swing and a bike would set you back less than £20.
He continued to work six days a week at the company's headquarters on the Bath Road until a fortnight before his death.
Mr. Fowler; the chairman of the company, was passionate about motorcycles.
He was a well known scrambler and trials rider in the 1940s and Fifties, with many trophies to his name.
Well into his 80s he frequently arrived at business meetings on two wheels.
Mr. Fowler was a much respected figure in the motorcycle industry, thanks to his sound stewardship as chairman of the company.
He leaves his wife Eileen, who he married in 1939, two daughters Stephanie and Gillian, seven grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
Over the last 80 years, Fowlers has grown to become one of the best known names in the bike business.
The family company includes Stephanie Fowler - Harold's daughter - who began riding bikes at the age of six and is now joint managing director, and granddaughter Sasha, who is Fowler's media coordinator.
Today, Fowlers Motorcycles occupies a 40,000 square foot showroom on the Bath Road, selling new motorbikes from leading international manufacturers such as Honda, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. It also has a major national parts and accessories wholesale division.
Mr. Fowler thought that it was important to move with the times, and today the company is a multi-franchise dealership selling new and used motorcycles and scooters, as well as selling clothing, helmets, accessories and spare parts.
A private family funeral at St. Bridget's Church in Chelvey near Backwell, on Tuesday, will be followed by a motorcycle cavalcade, led by a Triumph hearse, to South Bristol Crematorium, past Fowlers, via Temple Meads Roundabout.
Friends, colleagues and customers are welcome to join the procession riding a motorcycle, leaving from the church at approximately 3.30pm.
All donations should be sent to Riders for Health at www.riders.org
