FRIDAY night (5th December) saw the launch of Electric Landlady, a charity CD raising funds for St David's Hospice Care.

The CD was the brainchild of Alison Beasley and Paul Hobday who helped each other through their fight against cancer by exchanging messages of support. One of the themes of the messages was about combining their shared love of music by bringing together a number of local acts for a CD.

Alison, a well known member of the Chepstow community and landlady of the White Lion, lost her battle against cancer nine months ago but Paul was resolved to put the album together anyway.

More than 50 artists got involved and the product of their efforts was launched at an emotional evening, remembering Alison and her love of music.

Lucy Fear, one of the organisers behind the CD and event, said: "The night went really well, with 15 fantastic acts and Aston Hanington had his three year old beard shaved off by Lorna Jones."

The shaving of Aston's beard, a raffle, an auction and sales of the CD have currently raised £5,144, more than half of the £10,000 target. The album can be bought in St David's Hospice shops, at Chepstow Tourist Information office and Hannah's Music.