Donald Bell

Last updated 05:34, Friday, 18 July 2008

He was the last surviving member of the family firm that put thousands of Carlisle people on wheels, in the days when the city was a hive of industrial activity and people rode their bikes to and from work.

History: The Abbey Street shop known to generations of cyclists

Donald Bell, who was 88 when he died at his home in Abbey Street, was one of three brothers and a sister-in-law who ran the TP Bell cycle shop for many years until 1986, when the business closed. He was the man who sold a first bicycle to many people in and around the city.

Donald was the last and youngest of the brothers and he had lived alone since retirement.

On a Sunday evening 12 years ago he suffered a traumatic ordeal when masked raiders broke into his home and used a belt and towels to tie him to a chair while they ransacked the premises. They demanded money but Mr Bell never kept much cash in the house.

He had just returned from church when the raiders struck and it was two hours before he was able to struggle free and call the police. Although he was not injured, he was shaken and distressed.

Donald Bell was part of the third generation of the family to run the business, which was founded by Thomas Perkin Bell in the early years of the last century.

The company had a Raleigh agency and used a distinctive badge, which was attached to the rear mudguards of the machines it sold.

Mr Bell leaves two great nieces. His funeral service took place in the Tithe Barn, Carlisle and he was buried in the city cemetery.

George Hudson and Sons made the arrangements.