We're pleased to welcome one of our external content creators to About Basingstoke.

Chris Cloke loves food - maybe you saw him a few years back on Come Dine with Me - and he's bringing that passion to About Basingstoke.

Each week, Chris will be talking about food and chatting to the great chefs, cooks and food producers in the Basingstoke area.

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You can also listen to the live stream version of our new daily shows at aboutbasingstoke.com/live or ask Alexa to "Launch About Basingstoke." Or get the podcast on your favourite podcast app or YouTube.

HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke.

BE PART OF IT

We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact

MESSAGE US

Send us a WhatsApp - be brave and make it a voice message and your voice might be on the show!

In this episode, Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke, joins host Steve Randall to discuss his transition from the charity sector to Parliament, the challenges of local infrastructure, and his vision for the town’s economic and social renewal.

• From Charity to Commons: Luke reflects on his background in climate and energy policy and the "steep learning curve" of parliamentary traditions—including being told off by the Speaker for breaking protocol.
• The Unitary Shift: A look at the proposed North Hampshire Authority, which aims to bring local services like highways and social care under one roof to improve accountability and efficiency.
• Housing vs. Infrastructure: Luke addresses the tension between the national need for homes and the local strain on sewage systems, schools, and GPs, emphasizing that "we must build places, not just houses."
• Social Housing Standards: A firm stance on holding housing associations accountable for damp, mould, and delayed repairs, featuring stories of local advocacy from his casework team.
• The Hospital Timeline: A candid update on the Basingstoke Hospital project; while land has been secured at Junction 7, Luke discusses the reality of a mid-2030s completion and the push for better care in the interim.
• The Economic Mission: Discussing the National Insurance hike, the "Youth Guarantee" for employment, and why growth is the only way to pull public services "off the floor."
• A Vision for Pride: Luke champions Basingstoke’s "Town of Culture" bid and his efforts to revitalize the High Street, arguing that the town is "one of the best places to live in the country."

Luke Murphy's website: https://www.lukemurphy.org.uk/

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You can also listen to the live stream version of our new daily shows at aboutbasingstoke.com/live or ask Alexa to "Launch About Basingstoke." Or get the podcast on your favourite podcast app or YouTube.

HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke.

BE PART OF IT

We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact

MESSAGE US

Send us a WhatsApp - be brave and make it a voice message and your voice might be on the show!

In this episode, Jack, a volunteer leader with Natural Basingstoke, joins host Steve Randall at the Crabtree Plantation to discuss the charity’s mission, the importance of local conservation, and how residents can get involved.

• The Origins of Natural Basingstoke: Formed in 2013 as a volunteer organization, it became a registered charity in June 2025. It acts as an umbrella organization for over 20 local conservation groups across the borough.
• The Three Pillars of the Charity:

1. Practical Conservation: Hands-on work on the ground (habitat management, planting, etc.).
2. Community Engagement: Educational outreach with schools and scouts, and hosting events like Green Week.
3. Nature Advocacy: Lobbying local MPs and engaging with the Local Plan to protect green spaces from fragmented development.

• Mental Health & Nature: Jack shares his personal journey of how local volunteering helped him manage climate anxiety and improved his overall wellbeing by connecting him to his community.
• The Wasp "Rebrand": A lighthearted look at why wasps are misunderstood heroes—they are prolific pollinators and vital for garden pest control.
• Local Initiatives: Details on the Swift Campaign in Brookvale, where free swift boxes are being installed to help migratory birds returning from Sub-Saharan Africa.

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You can also listen to the live stream version of our new daily shows at aboutbasingstoke.com/live or ask Alexa to "Launch About Basingstoke." Or get the podcast on your favourite podcast app or YouTube.

HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

We're proud to be supported by IncuHive with their new location at Stephenson Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke offering dedicated offices, hot desks, and amazing business support. Find out more at incuhive.co.uk and tell them you heard about them at About Basingstoke.

BE PART OF IT

We would love to hear about you, your business, your organisation, your passion! Contact us via aboutbasingstoke.com/contact

MESSAGE US

Send us a WhatsApp - be brave and make it a voice message and your voice might be on the show!