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!

In this special BUSINESS episode, Mark Jones of Mr. Blue Sky Consultancy interviews George Scott-Welsh, CEO of IncuHive, at their new location in Houndmills, Basingstoke. George shares his journey as a "serial entrepreneur", the origins of IncuHive, and his unique philosophy on business, failure, and the future of the local business landscape.

• George’s Entrepreneurial Journey: From working as an estate agent at Foxtons and Chestertons to launching the highly successful Kiss Gyms and even running a pub in Devon.
• The IncuHive Story: How George partnered with "wacky" founder Steve Northam to grow IncuHive from a single site to a thriving network of co-working spaces.
• Why Basingstoke?: George explains the move to the Basingstoke market, emphasizing the town’s shift from a corporate hub to a burgeoning startup community.
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Insights into the "growth mindset", the necessity of risk-taking, and why persistence and hard work are more important than avoiding failure.
• Defining Failure: A candid look at the "fear of shame" versus the reality of business failure, including George’s personal experiences losing a seven-figure sum during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Future of Work: Discussion on "holacracy" (self-governance), the rise of side hustles among Gen Z, and the integration of high-tech features like microchip implants for building access.

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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, we talk to travel expert Ally Toner from Designer Travel about the range of options for summer holidays this year - including cruises, flights, rail, driving and staycations.

Worried about flight disruption or viruses on your cruise - Ally's here to put your mind at rest.

Find her at https://designertravel.co.uk/allytoner and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesignertravelbyAlly/

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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 of our BUSINESS show, we talk to Felicity Dwyer who works with leaders, teams and individuals to help them think deeply, communicate effectively, and generate an environment of trust and psychological safety.

Find out more about her at https://felicitydwyer.com/

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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 our COMMUNITY show this week, we're talking to Mark Jones, founder of the Stronger Together Forum and Mr Blue Sky Consultancy. Find out what STF is all about and how its four core values aim to make Basingstoke a better place to be.

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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!

Our LEISURE show this week focuses on food and drink and we're at the Hampshire Deli at Wolverton, just off the A339 between Basingstoke and Kingsclere.

Barry set up the deli in lockdown and now has a thriving business selling great produce, especially locally produced. Listen to find out more and check out the Hampshire Deli at https://hampshiredeli.co.uk/ or find them on Facebook!

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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!