Si, who made an impassioned speech at a cost of living rally in Newcastle in October, added: "It's a very different country to what it is 18 months ago, people are properly up against it." To support and balance the watercress it’s carefully paired with nine other botanicals – including juniper, locally grown lavender and coriander from the South Downs – which is distilled slowly to maintain their fresh and delicate aromas. Dave Myers said: " A lot of the food was quite extravagant and I think we have to be realistic that it was 18 months ago and it shows what a different place we are economically in the country. I think we would have reined it in a bit with respect to the viewers." Andwell Brewing Company was founded by Adam and Helen Komrower, first brewing at Newland’s Farm in a potato shed. The micro-brewery can be found along the riverside in the hamlet of Andwell.

Anyway, that’s my Thursday ramblings! I just love bespoke products and locally sourced, fresh ingredients I couldn’t help myself! In fact there is a story with every ingredient in this gin from the linden blossom familiar to ?ukasz as a tea and the inspiration of mulberry from a tree in a neighbour’s garden. Not only did Pothecary Gin win a double gold at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year, it also won Drink Product of the Year at Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards. Smooth with a surprising depth of flavour Dorset Smugglers Vodka from the Bournemouth Brewing Company distillery is made by Cristophe Mathers. After studying chemistry Cristophe became a brewer making award-winning ales at the Bournemouth Brewery. The vodka was happenstance as Cristophe explains: “A home distiller came in to see us out of the blue and asked what we did with our ullage (waste beer) at which point I gave him some and he distilled it. Voila he had created beer vodka from our old beer – and so I thought maybe I’d give it go.”

I first came to know Alresford when I was studying for my final accountancy exams in 1975/76. One afternoon I took time out to drive down and have a look at the start being made to reopen the line. I've pretty much been a volunteer ever since. As a family we moved here in 1990. Although it meant I had a long commute to work, every day was like going on holiday. Apart from volunteering on the railway I occasionally drive the town's community minibus and most weeks I volunteer one day for the county's Countryside Service." Favourite restaurant: "In Alton it's the Thai Boutique; in Alresford it has to be Polpo Negro for innovative tapas dishes."

Presented in a bespoke bottle that ripples and refracts like the surface of a stream, Twisted Nose is a vibrant celebration of provenance and place.

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