AROUND 300 people paid tribute to a popular landlady and co-founder of Chepstow Radio at a Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Bulwark, yesterday.

Alison Beasley, 53, who ran The White Lion/Pye Corner, Chepstow with her brother Gerv Durran, died after battling cancer in St Anne’s Hospice, Malpas, on March 21.

The mum-of-two, who grew up in Bulwark and managed several pubs in the town with Mr Durran, including The King’s Head, The Five Alls and The Three Tons, was described by her brother as having a ‘heart of gold’.

She was devoted to the start-up of Chepstow Radio and local bands. She founded Chepstow Creates and was dedicated to celebrating the town and all it has to offer.

During the mass mourners sang the hymns ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ before hearing a tribute, written by her daughter Remy Beasley and read by Father Michael St Clair in which she described her mum as a ‘brilliant shining beacon’.

“She was the Eddy to my Saffy from Absolutely Fabulous.”

“Mum was pretty chilled. She let us be who we wanted to be. She was a brilliant shining beacon who made sure she was true to herself and never stopped being a creative mastermind.”

“I learned so much from her. She said the only way to be is to be yourself. I thank my lucky stars that I got to be a part of her journey.”

John McConnachie, a Chepstow resident who works for Monmouthshire council and worked with Ms Beasley on a council project, got an applause after his tribute calling her a driving force in the community.

He said: “She was bothered about preserving important things in this town but was always about the future.”

“She had the deepest understanding of what matters to local people.”

“She was caring, innovative, ambitious and a deeply real person – a fantastic human being.”

“She understood exactly what Chepstow needed to be prosperous and successful and for her it was about the power of the people.”

Mr McConnachie added that she has a unique ability to make great things happen.

“She was a visionary and an inspiration.”

“This place has greatly diminished for her loss. Let’s remember her always. The power of her passion and imagination will shine on.”

Ms Beasley’s coffin was carried out of the church as her own recording of the song ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ was played.

The mass was followed by a cremation at the Forest of Dean Crematorium and afterwards at The White Lion.