IN MEMORIAM: Alison Beasley of Chepstow

THE brother of a popular landlady and co-founder of Chepstow Radio, who died after battling cancer, said she had a “heart of gold”.

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

Mr Durran,46, said: “She had a heart of gold and always put others first.”

“We have been truly overwhelmed by the many tributes to her on Facebook.”

Ms Beasley’s partner Aston Hanington, 29, added: “She was someone who always had so many different things on the go, whether it was getting involved in a festival, the radio station or fundraising – she was an inspiration and amazing.”

Ms Beasley grew up in Bulwark and attended Chepstow School. Her love of music saw her work at Loco Residential Recording Studio, Usk, as a studio manager until 2003 where she met Coldplay and the Manic Street Preachers.

For the past 15 years, the mum-of-two has managed several pubs in the town with Mr Durran, including The King’s Head, The Five Alls and The Three Tuns.

An avid music lover and performer, she devoted much time to championing the start-up of Chepstow Radio and had her own DJ slot as ‘Landlady Lil’.

Chepstow resident, John McConnachie, said Ms Beasley understood exactly what Chepstow town needed to be prosperous and successful. He said: “Alison’s ability to relate to people and to create a vision that others bought into, coupled with a capacity for telling it like it is, made her stand out as a caring, entrepreneurial, ambitious and most of all –deeply authentic person.”

He added: “She would simply describe herself as a mum trying to make a living. Humble, courageous and positive to the end.”

“Alison’s legacy is of the richest sort. She compelled people to action and that shows no sign of slowing.”

Friends described her on Facebook as a ‘diamond’ and a ‘real community spirit who will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her’.

The funeral is open to all who knew her and will be held at St Mary’s RC Church, Bulwark, Chepstow, at 11am on April 1 and afterwards at The White Lion/Pye Corner. The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to St Anne’s Hospice, Malpas.

Posted by: Greg Lance-Watkins