The Shrewsbury Biscuit Podcast

Shrewsbury is bracing itself for the arrival of First Christmas, and we’re back with another brilliant instalment following our chat with Luke Allen and Alyssa Roehrenbeck.

Recorded at The Loopy Shrews, Alex sits down with Luke, Alyssa, and director Keith Wilhelm Kopp to unpack everything from local reactions to the film, to the surprisingly intense commitment to historical accuracy, to the eternal question: should Luke ever be allowed near a hacksaw?

Funding is the big talking point right now, with local businesses and residents offering support, skills, and the occasional favour‑for‑favour arrangement that would make a medieval trader proud. This episode digs into how people can get involved and why the community’s enthusiasm is already shaping the project.

We’ll be following First Christmas throughout its long, winding journey — so consider this another cracking chapter in whatever wonderfully chaotic anthology this adventure is becoming.

Intro/outro music - Talk by Ease The Artist

It’s finally time to meet the new Team Biscuit. Alex sits down with Producer Tristan Copeland, Co‑host Emma Bacon, and Co‑host Hollie Jones — all in the same room, for the first time ever. Not just recording together… literally meeting together.

This was meant to be nothing more than a mic test, but the chemistry was ridiculous, so here it is: a full episode for you to enjoy.

We’re buzzing about what’s coming next for The Shrewsbury Biscuit, and if this first chaotic, brilliant get‑together is anything to go by, you should be too.

Shrewsbury won’t know what’s hit it.

Intro/Outro music – Talk by Ease The Artist

Join Alex as he captures some audible insight from There’s More Festival, a gathering of genuinely wonderful people at The Haybarn near Church Stretton.

This whole festival exists because of one man whose loss of all his belongings led him into this community. From that moment, something beautiful grew — and now he’s created his own festival and invited that same community back to him. That man is John, and you’ll hear his story in this episode.

Alex then dives into 90 minutes of peace dancing and chats with his fellow dancers, including River, who you may remember from an episode a few weeks back.

We promised to bring you this episode, and here it is. I’m genuinely glad to have met these brilliant people. The message from this event is simple: sometimes we all need to slow down, soften those tough exteriors we build around ourselves, and find a space where we can just let go. Seek out an event like this — you won’t be disappointed.

Intro/Outro music – Talk by Ease the Artist.

Coming to you from The Darwin Community Centre in Frankwell, Alex drops in on rehearsals for Shrewsbury Musical Theatre Company’s Shropshire premiere of Come From Away, running Thu 15–Sat 17 Oct 2026.

This ground‑breaking show tells the real stories of passengers diverted to Gander, Canada during 9/11 — and the Newfoundlanders who welcomed them. SMTC’s cast juggle multiple characters, accents and even the stagecraft itself, shifting the set as the story unfolds. It’s an ambitious production and a huge moment for local theatre.

Alex speaks with cast members, the director, music director and producer about bringing this remarkable show to life.

Book your tickets and support SMTC: https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/come-from-away/

Intro/outro music - Talk by Ease the Artist

Join Alex as he sits down with Jasmine and Kitty, who pop onto The Shrewsbury Biscuit to share their story. After hunting for a burlesque class closer to home in Telford and coming up empty, these two witty friends decided to build their own. And just like that, JazKit was born — a burlesque class that welcomes absolutely everyone.

A few years on, JazKit has gone from strength to strength, championing body positivity, empowerment, and access to an incredibly fun dance style. If you want to see what they’re all about, you can check out their classes and keep up with them on Instagram.

You can also grab tickets for their next show, “It’s Not A Phase”, happening on 20th November 2026 at The Belfry Theatre, Telford: https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/ejbooaprvkwo

And if that’s not enough sparkle for you, you can book ahead for The Shropshire Burlesque Festival on 9th April 2027 right here: https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/rveqwknmmmoy

Intro/Outro Music – Talk by Ease The Artist

Ever feel like packing up, leaving The Shire behind, and starting fresh somewhere far away? Today’s guest, Elaine Palmer, actually did it.

After what she describes as a breakdown, Elaine’s priorities shifted. She sold everything, moved her family to Thailand, and found a slower pace that allowed her to rebuild and refocus.

There, she launched The Lighthouse Hub, a space dedicated to helping others heal just as she did. If you’re a business owner feeling stuck or needing direction, this is exactly what Elaine specialises in.

She’s an accredited Belief Coding Facilitator with a psychology degree — someone who’s lived it, learned from it, and now uses that empathy to help you and your business thrive.

Check out the website: The Lighthouse Hub And Elaine’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.lighthouse.hub/

Intro/Outro Music: Talk by Ease the Artist

This podcast episode was brought to you by...the Universe. Alex threw out a post on social media asking for a short-notice guest to reach out to come on the show and out of the blue, today's guest River called Alex. He had not seen the posts Alex made, he was just looking to promote a cool event happening int Shropshire.

Before we get to talk about the event that is happening though, there is a lot to unpack here. River has his own extraordinary story about how he found a community of kind-heart, non judgemental people with great stories. This is where he met John Knight.

John is planning a get together in Church Stretton called There's More It is a sober festival full of workshops, music and a peaceful environment to meet some very nice people.

Today's episode has opened up what feels like it's going to be an anthology of episodes leading up to the event which happens between 17th - 20th September. To find out everything you need to know please check out their website here - https://theresmore.co.uk/

Thank you River and thank you Universe for this one.

Intro/outro music - Talk by Ease the Artist

This episode has been held onto so tight that it has become a diamond. A few weeks ago Alex interviewed Rachel Queenie, a guest that is so much in tune with the art scene she "is the art"

A well known life model that has be drawn by some of the most amazing artists, Queenie has had a lifetime of inspiring artists from all walks of life.

This is a discussion that flirts with the jazz of life and the perceptions of art from those around us.

We will be planning a life drawing session in the near future where I will take on some of Shrewsbury's artists so keep a keen eye out for new of that.

Thanks for this Queenie

Today Joel and Mitchell from the Talking Shrimp Podcast have taken over The Shrewsbury Biscuit Podcast to bring you lots of fantastic interviews from Shrewsbury Town FC's Open Day.

I have held onto this podcast for a couple of weeks so it can be released after the opening weekend of the season. Worth waiting for though as this episode includes interviews with manager Gav Cowan, George Lloyd, Will Gray, Shrewsbury Town's Mayor, CEO Liam Dooley, Will Boyle and many, many more.

This episode is a riot and the Talking Shrimp lads did a stunning job. Eternal thanks guys, we should debrief over a couple of jars sometime.

Intro/Outro Music - Talk by Ease the Artist,

This week’s Biscuit comes to you from the gorgeous beer garden at The Nag’s Head, where Alex sits down with Danny and Ben — Shropshire’s very own Marathon Men. These two have smashed marathon after marathon and keep levelling up with new challenges. Their latest? The T‑100: a one‑shot, 100‑mile run around a 50‑mile route created to celebrate 50 years of Telford being a town.

What pulled me (and my mics) toward Dan and Ben — aside from their charm — is that they take on these wild challenges not for fame or glory, but for fun and comradery. Truly ridiculous behaviour.

On 29/08/2026, Ben and Dan will tackle the T‑100, and they’re inviting you to get involved however you can: cheer them on, run a stretch with them, set up mariachi bands… whatever keeps them moving through this monster of a run.

Follow them for details: Danny – https://www.instagram.com/93newell/

Ben – https://www.instagram.com/bentherunner/

Best of luck, lads — this is your biggest challenge yet.

Intro/Outro Music: Talk by Ease the Artist