In this episode of Cloke Cooks, Chris Cloke sits down with Vilnis Baiks from VB Distillery, a truly unique, small-scale producer operating right out of a local garage in Basingstoke.

Vilnis shares his lifelong connection to brewing, inspired by his grandparents' traditional beer and botanical recipes, and how a lockdown hobby transformed into an official craft distillery.

From high-quality vodka, gin, and rum to an eccentric mushroom-infused spirit, this episode explores the passion behind local, small-batch distilling and why keeping things independent is the secret to unforgettable flavor.

Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

We support local people to become podcasters - find out more at aboutbasingstoke.com

In this introductory episode, Marie Greenhalgh introduces herself and shares the vision behind You Are Not Alone: Conversations for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Inspired by her experience leading the Baton of Hope event in Basingstoke, Marie emphasizes the crucial power of open, honest conversations around mental health, neurodivergence, and wellbeing.

This podcast is designed to be a safe, down-to-earth space to talk about the things we all carry but often hide behind our busy schedules. It’s not about professional fixing or clinical lectures; it's about real, relatable talk to remind you that you don't have to go through life's challenges alone.

Each week, Marie will dive into topics that affect many of us but are rarely discussed openly, including:

• The Feeling of "Too Muchness": Coping when everything feels like it's piling up.
• Loneliness: Navigating the feeling of isolation, even when you aren't physically alone.
• The Barrier to Talking: Exploring why it's so hard to speak up, even when we know it helps.
• High-Functioning Anxiety: What it's like when everything looks perfect on the outside, but doesn't feel that way on the inside.
• The Weight of Pressure: Understanding the heavy expectations we carry daily.

Additionally, the podcast will actively shine a light on local and national support systems, ensuring listeners know where to turn before hitting a crisis point.

Your Challenge: Find one tiny moment in your day that feels even slightly good or a little bit calmer than the rest. It could be a breath of fresh air, a nice chat, something blooming in the garden, or a great cup of coffee.

Optional: Jot it down in your phone's notes app or a notebook. Use it as a small anchor to come back to.

• Local & National Support: Options for professional care and community resources will be shared at the end of every upcoming episode.
• Remember: If you can only manage to say, "I'm not sure I'm okay," that counts, and it matters.

Thank you for listening, and welcome to the conversation.

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About Basingstoke is supported by IncuHive

In this episode of Cloke Cooks, host Chris Cloke sits down with Bruce from Hornet Chilli to explore how a backyard gardening hobby transformed into a booming Basingstoke business producing over 6,000 bottles a year. Bruce shares the secrets behind their signature fermented chilli sauces, explaining how a 30-day fermentation process with lactobacillus breaks down harsh, bitter enzymes to unlock a smoother, sweeter, and more complex heat. From renting an entire field in Bedfordshire to keep up with demand to being jokingly evicted to the garden shed by his wife, Bruce dives into the passion and logistics required to scale up an artisan sauce brand.

The conversation also highlights Hornet Chilli's "flavor first" philosophy and their unique product lineup, including their incredibly popular Blazing Chilli Crunch made with avocado oil, garlic, and fried onions. Bruce gives practical advice for anyone looking to start fermenting at home, revealing his ultimate 3% salt rule and why the Scotch Bonnet reigns supreme as his personal favorite pepper. Tune in to discover why local farm shops are ditching mass-produced supermarket brands for independent, small-batch flavor, and find out where you can catch Hornet Chilli at their next big local event.

Cloke Cooks is produced by Chris Cloke and brought to you by ProClean Direct.

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About Basingstoke is Basingstoke's Podcast Network supported by IncuHive, now open at Houndmills.

We support local people to become podcasters - find out more at aboutbasingstoke.com