A Shrewsbury scene landmark closes its doors ... but is it really the end?

The café, events space and gaming venue on Mardol in Shrewsbury closed last weekend.

Some of the Nerdy diehards said goodbye to the venue with The Final Hurrah, a cabaret evening, on Sunday night.

I went along to meet some of them and to take in part of the show. Hear what happened on this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast.

Former Shrewsbury mayor Jane Mackenzie works to alert Shropshire schoolchildren to the dangers of abusing alcohol.

But why?

Find out in this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast.

‘What was the pain that she was trying to numb?’

Jane's daughter Amy started drinking alcohol, along with many of her peers, in her very early teens. By the time she was a university student, she was addicted to alcohol.

‘It just took all the good things out of her life’

Jane Mackenzie doesn’t want other young people to go through what Amy did. She doesn’t want other parents to know the pain she’s known, either. Find out how she tries to make sure that doesn’t happen, in this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast.

If Jane’s story connects with you, please feel free to share it with others?

‘I became an expert by experience’

Jane became an expert on alcohol addiction through her own experience with Amy.

What are you an expert on, by experience?

Would you tell me your story on Hello You?

Send me a message or leave a comment?

Stories from your family

Jane Mackenzie had another story to tell whilst we sat in her garden.

Again, it involves a member of her family. But it’s a story about which she knew little, until she starting digging into it.

What she’s discovered is so fascinating, Jane’s writing a book about it.

It’s a story of courage, compassion and dogged resilience in the face of evil and bureaucracy. It also sheds light on an unknown facet of one of the great humanitarian actions of the twentieth century.

You can hear Jane Mackenzie tell that story, next week on Hello You the Shropshire podcast.

Mental Health Awareness Week, some questions for you, and more

Would you mind answering a few questions for me?

There are some questions I’d love to know your answers to.

Find out what those questions are in this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast

In return, I’ll answer questions for you and your friends

If you’re part of a group, an organisation or a regular meet-up, fancy getting together for a chat?

I’m happy to come to see you, either as a guest speaker talking about Hello You, radio, media, Shropshire and so on, or just to hang out and chat with you and your chums or colleagues. Message me?

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week

More help, support and resources from:

• the Mental Health Foundation, including How does community boost our mental health?

• Mind

• Mental Health First Aid England

• Samaritans

Please check out these pages, and share them with other people?