A MOTORCYLIST who died in a crash in Powys last month has been described as “a laugh a minute” and someone who quickly became an integral part of his adopted community.

Alan Dawson, 60, died following a road traffic collision near Newbridge-on-Wye on Friday, July 19, just before the Royal Welsh Show.

The accident occurred just before 5pm as Mr Dawson was nearing the end of a ride out with a friend. Dyfed Powys Police confirmed at the time one person was arrested following the collision.

Alan was originally from the Blackwood area of South Wales, but had been a permanent resident at the Boatside camping and caravan park near Aberedw since losing his wife Mary to cancer in 2020.

OTHER NEWS:

Adam Lewis, owner of Boatside, said Alan and his wife first stayed at the site in 2018 and had a seasonal pitch; but when Mary died he simply never left.

“After he lost Mary he couldn’t really face going home,” said Adam.

“They had a seasonal pitch here, along with two other couples, and after Mary’s death he just sort of moved in.”

Adam joked he “couldn’t get rid of” Alan. “He retired officially and then became my chief grasscutter,” he said.

“He was a taxi service, he did childcare, my little boy Reggie adored him, he was the meet and greet person and would show all the caravanners where to go, and then he worked at the pub (Seven Stars in Aberedw) at weekends.

“He became part of the village, part of the furniture, really quickly. By the end he’d become known as ‘Al Boatside’. He was a laugh a minute.

“He made a big impact in a very small amount of time and his death was a shock to everyone.

“He didn’t like walking very far but he had the biggest heart and he’d do anything for anyone.”

Alan pictured with Reggie, Adam Lewis' son, on his grasscutter. Alan became a permanent resident at Boatside following his wife's death in 2020. Alan pictured with Adam's son, Reggie, on his grasscutter. Alan became a permanent resident at Boatside following his wife's death in 2020. (Image: Supplied)

Alan’s funeral will take place in Blackwood on Friday, August 30, and he will be buried alongside his wife.

Adam said a bus will be transporting people down from the campsite, with up to 70 locals expected to attend.

He also said that, towards the end of the summer, a mini Boatside Live music event could be held in memory of Alan, with funds likely to be donated to the St Johns Ambulance, who were at the scene when Alan died.

Aberedw resident Doody Farmer was out with Alan on the day he died.

“When you first met him you’d probably think ‘who’s this guy’, and within six months he’d be involved in everything,” said Doody. “He was really part of the circle.”

Jon Fidler, from Aberdare, had come to Boatside at the same time as Alan and Mary, along with his partner and family, having met at a previous holiday site.

“He was like a father figure to me, and I called him ‘dad’,” said John, who since the death has had a fresh tattoo portraying Alan on his motorbike.

“He was a biker who’d got back into it recently, having not ridden for about 20 years. He was a very experienced, good rider. We’d all learn from him.

“He loved it here and I think being here helped him to go on (after Mary died), it gave him a purpose.”