Basil is one of the older residents. He lives at Elderberry Lodge where he makes and looks after all the syrups, wines and cordials for the hedge. Whenever there is a feast or celebration, he likes to make up a special punch. In spring he makes cowslip wine, in summer cordials with elderflower, wild raspberry, sweet briar and clover, and in the autumn syrups with blackberries, elderberries and crabapples. He is a very good-natured mouse but can be a bit forgetful.