Hundreds gathered in the heart of Newport on Wednesday to honour the life and legacy of Amy McCann, the much-admired landlady of McCann’s Rock N Ale Bar. The city’s High Street thronged with mourners who came to pay their respects to a woman widely regarded as a cornerstone of Newport’s community and a driving force behind its renowned live music scene.
Ms McCann’s sudden death while on holiday on 17 April sent a wave of grief through the community. As news spread, tributes poured in remembering her vibrancy, generosity, and the warmth she brought to those around her. On Wednesday, these sentiments found public expression as friends, family, customers, and colleagues lined the streets to bid farewell.
Her funeral service was held at Langstone Crematorium following the procession through Newport. Before the ceremony, Amy’s coffin was carried past the pubs and businesses she so actively supported, including her own bar and the Carpenter’s Arms, marking the places where she made indelible memories with locals over the years.
Perhaps the most striking presence at the procession was the gathering of the city’s bikers. The motorcycle community, which Amy had championed, accompanied the hearse in a moving convoy, symbolising the close-knit relationships she nurtured within Newport. Their “final ride” with Amy was both a tribute and a testament to her inclusive spirit, so often described as the glue that bound numerous groups together.
The emotional resonance of the day was heightened by deeply personal messages from Amy’s family and friends. Her daughter described her as not only a mother but a best friend, emphasising the irreplaceable void left behind: “Words can’t even describe the pain we are all going through right now,” she wrote. “I wouldn’t be where I am in life right now if it wasn’t for you. Going to miss you so so much but I’m going to make sure I do you proud and give Laila the best life possible. I love you so much.”
Long-time friends and staff members also reflected on the extraordinary impact she had on their lives. One close friend affectionately recalled Amy’s infectious sense of adventure, stating: “Thank you for being as crazy as me because my stupid ideas were never stupid to you. I’ll never find that sort of friendship again. You are and always will be one of a kind. I love you.”
Staff at McCann’s Rock N Ale Bar remembered Amy as a rare and inspiring leader who blurred the lines between employer and friend. “There’s nothing I can say to anyone that would bring comfort, she was taken too soon and took a big part of all of our hearts with her,” one team member said. They pledged to keep her memory alive by maintaining the warmth, camaraderie, and spirit she fostered, vowing to run the bar “as she would have wanted”.
For many in attendance, Amy’s pub was more than a business—it was a second home. Patrons and staff spoke of feeling like they were part of an extended family, united by Amy’s boundless energy and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. The streets of Newport, filled with people of all ages and backgrounds, reflected just how far her influence had reached.
As the procession made its way down High Street—accompanied by a fleet of motorbikes, decorated in tributes and flowers—it was clear that Amy McCann had left a mark that would be difficult to surpass. Bikers, friends, and community members walked in solidarity, pausing outside the venues that had become synonymous with her life’s work.
Though grief hung heavy over Newport on Wednesday, the overwhelming message from those present was one of gratitude for Amy’s life and the memories she created. As the community returned to McCann’s Rock N Ale Bar following the funeral, the resolve to honour her memory was palpable. Amy McCann’s legacy as an exceptional landlady, loyal friend, and cherished family member will undoubtedly endure in the city she so dearly loved.