Coming to you from a box in a gym, this week's episode finds itself trying to understand the world of CrossFit. Alex is speaking to Chris, Kate and owner of CrossFit Shropshire Graham (Gray) Carless while the mixer and mics sit on a polymetric squat jump box.

The CFS team talk about how they're helping young people through their schools programmes. What does it take to introduce fitness and healthy education to young people that are wrapped up in their own insecurities and distracted by the chicken-jockies and 6/7's of the world? (parents will know what this means)

Also, what should one expect to experience during their first introduction to CrossFit Shropshire? Gray has encouraged anyone to take a look at their website here where all the information you need to sign up for an induction course/tour around the gym and learn everything you need to know. If the link doesn't work on the app you're listening from it is www.crossfitshropshire.com give it a Google.

Thank you to the team for assembling so quickly (on a rainy day too) as this was planned within an hour. Spontaneity at it's best!!

Outro music: 'What I Miss' by Josh Lobley

This podcast was put together on the strength of an Instagram account that host Alex Whiteley found. This week we welcome Janire, a mountain leader from a company called 'Ray of Sun Adventures'

Say, you want to for a 3 day trek over the national 3 peaks, or a trip to Mont Blanc or a day out in the Shropshire Hills with a qualified mountain leader - Janire is the person you need.

This episode focusses on the real organic benefits to being out in nature, how Janire became the mountain badass we see today as well as discovering what adventures lie ahead.

Please give Janire's Instagram a follow here and follow the links to her website to learn more about what she has to offer. Thank you Janire for being such a wicked guest.

Outro music - What I miss by Josh Lobley

Coming to you from Soulton Hall in Wem, Alex brings you the exhibition he promised — The Pomegranate’s Legacy by Lucy Caddel, showcased in the stunning Tudor hall.

Before diving into the interviews gathered at the event, Alex attempts to deliver a… ahem… professional historical breakdown of what makes Soulton Hall so special — not just to Shropshire, but to culture as a whole.

Then we get onto the juicy stuff! Interviews with Soulton Hall custodian Tim Ashton, Shrewsbury Mayor Alex Wagner, and of course, the artist of the evening, Lucy Caddel.

Lucy expertly takes us, the listeners, through the main art piece — a huge 5ft x 12ft three-piece wonder. I recommend checking out the artwork on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ — I’ll label it “The main piece” so you can follow along as Lucy talks us through it.

Thank you, Lucy. And thank you, as always, to Tim and Alex — always happy to have a chat down the mic, wherever we are.

Please check out Lucy’s website, and while you’re there, maybe grab yourself some art!

Outro music: “What I Miss” by Josh Lobley

Alex can talk about the inside of a ping-pong ball for about three hours nonstop. So when it comes to having a healthy discussion about something as misunderstood as body aesthetics—well, it’s on!

Today we welcome advanced aesthetics practitioner Lorraine Giove to The Shrewsbury Biscuit Podcast to help guide us through this topic. Lorraine runs Global Aesthetics in Shrewsbury and takes a more holistic, ethical approach to the work she offers her clients.

Confidence is an important commodity, and people find it in all sorts of places. So, let’s talk about the kind of work people may choose to have done to give them that extra spring in their step. Lorraine explains the treatments she provides, how she became a practitioner, and how these changes can affect her clients.

This is a free-flowing, healthy conversation about a topic that many might dismiss, and I really loved chatting with Lorraine—she comes across so well in this episode.

– Alex

Not only is Lucy Caddel a vibrant and colourful artist, but she also radiates those same qualities through her personality. From the moment we met, we clicked instantly. Although Lucy has appeared on The Shrewsbury Biscuit many times, we’ve never actually sat down for a proper, full-length chat—until now.

So here it is: the long-overdue Lucy Caddel feature episode. Expect some fascinating insights and facts about art, along with some brilliant contributions from my sidekick, Mini-Biscuit. Timmy chimes in with a few wise thoughts and some questions worthy of his title.

On Saturday 8th November, Lucy will be hosting a wonderful exhibition at Soulton Hall in Wem to celebrate The Pomegranate’s Legacy. It’s going to be a lovely get-together, and tickets are completely free—you can book them here.

Thank you, Lucy, and thank you, Timmy. See you on the 8th of November.

Outro Music: What I Miss by Josh Lobley

After spending the morning creating content about the fun things happening at Telford Exotic Zoo, Alex sits down with zoo owner Scott Adams to find out how one becomes the owner of a zoo… in Telford.

Scott explains how he spent the first half of his life as a rockstar, playing in his band Envy of the State. After he downed his guitars, Scott traded screaming audiences for crocodiles and snakes.

There are lots of twists and turns between the beginnings of the Exotic Zoo in Telford and where it is today. During this interview, a bit of a bromance is formed, so while the information is all there in the audio, there are also a few excited discussions about dinosaurs to get through too.

There’s a lot going on at Telford Exotic Zoo, and now that the ice has been well and truly broken, we can pretty much guarantee there’ll be a part two (maybe more!) to this.

Head over to their website to see what this fantastic place stands for and check it out right here.

Intro music: What I Miss by Josh Lobley

On today's episode, we bring you John Edwards – The Sign Cleaning Guy. You may have seen this gent in a buff muscle shirt, either cleaning road signs, ridding areas of Shrewsbury and Shropshire of nasty graffiti tags, or just being an outright legend.

On the show today, we want to find out what made John pick up a brush and start cleaning signs, because in all seriousness, John has built quite the following. From sharing his adventures across the county, John has amassed thousands of followers who have started cleaning signs and rolling up their sleeves in their own communities.

The passion, pride, and work ethic that John has are infectious, and it was a real pleasure to be able to share this with you, the listeners. I’m sure you’ll all find something positive to take away from this episode.

Follow John on his adventures and even share your own sign-cleaning or community-improving achievements by joining his Facebook group, Sign and Graffiti Cleaning Enthusiasts UK.

There’s also an opportunity to get involved with a huge local project that John needs your help with. Join Friends of Sutton Bridge, Shrewsbury to find out more — but this podcast episode explains everything.

Outro Music: What I Miss by Josh Lobley

Welcome to The Shrewsbury Biscuit's 2025 coverage of the Shropshire Wellbeing Festival at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

At last year's event, Alex wanted to understand “What is wellbeing?” But this year, after a year in therapy, Alex wanted to discover some important tips to help us navigate a day of positive wellbeing — including the things we should do and the things we shouldn’t do.

Alex also makes a revelation about three-quarters of the way through this series of interviews that sends him down a brass-coated rabbit hole.

OUTRO MUSIC: “What I Miss” by Josh Lobley