A web developer & trainer, experienced FE/HE Teacher/Lecturer (PGCE) in Computer Science & Electronic Engineering, First Aider (& instructor), Thatcham historian & author. (PhD not MD). More at https://nickbits.co.uk/.https://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mqhkgptgmk27Want to know more about the Friends of London Road (Thatcham) Cemetery and the history of the Chapel, the Cemetery and some of those buried there? When did it open? Who was the first person to buried? How many CWGC are there? Join @thatchamtc.bsky.social & myself on 18th July to find out more.12 Jul 2026 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqhkgptgmk27https://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mpicjkk6cs2iBeing an alumni of @uniofbath.bsky.social and living with a heart condition, got to say I am impressed with their Team Bath Heart group and the fantastic research they are doing - https://stories.bath.ac.uk/ba2-33/features/the-beat-goes-on/index.html30 Jun 2026 05:48 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpicjkk6cs2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mowyclmhis2tIt is getting a tad hot out there. Remember to watch out for Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke - See NHS ( https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ ) and BBC ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgl51jjp3jo ) articles. And remember this can happen to anyone, not just those with medical conditions.23 Jun 2026 08:30 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mowyclmhis2thttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3morwiiuix22oAm looking to run online local (#Thatcham / #Newbury) talks over the summer, will firm up dates after 3rd July. Looking at: - A brief history of Thatcham - Archaeology of the District - A history of Thatcham Pubs - Newbury & Thatcham, historic comparison Will be raising funds for charities.21 Jun 2026 08:14 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3morwiiuix22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3morw2yaads2oHave you submitted your All About That Place idea? [contains quote post or other embedded content]21 Jun 2026 08:06 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3morw2yaads2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3moq7y5hufk2iWant to help decide on the next blue plaque for Thatcham, then head over to thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk20 Jun 2026 15:58 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3moq7y5hufk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mof62hschc2eContinuing with #Thatcham pub research looks like John Bush (1810's) was indeed an inn keeper (publican) just not sure where, possibly in the High Street.16 Jun 2026 06:25 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mof62hschc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3modc3tcmls2gEarly CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chance of cardiac arrest survival , yet simple issues like flat batteries or expired pads can stop a defib from working and making a difference when it matters most. [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Jun 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3modc3tcmls2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mo3a7aekvs2uAfter a few years of not much #history research, starting to delve into Roman #Thatcham again ( https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2019/05/roman-thatcham/ ) and kicking my Dunston House/Park ( https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10/the-dunston-estate/ ) research back into action.12 Jun 2026 07:36 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo3a7aekvs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mmcarygisc2aEven when out doing non-history things, i.e. work, I still can't help but notice things, here we have the River Enborne separating West Berkshire (on the right) from Hampshire (on the left). Sadly no boundary marker, that I can find at this point, but there is one not too far away.20 May 2026 15:45 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmcarygisc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mm4a5sepi224Tonights, Monday 18th May 2026, Thatcham Historical Society speaker meeting will be joined by Heather Walkling for a talk on Sandham Memorial Chapel - all welcome, for details see https://www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk/events/2026/archaeological-discoveries-of-the-district-407-543-659-371-555/.18 May 2026 06:18 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm4a5sepi224https://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mlvxefut6s2dThank you to Thatcham Town Mayor, I love my local history, sharing it and supporting the chosen mayors charities, as well as several others, and being able to combine them even better - https://thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/news/news-article-title-mayor-recognises-three-local-champions-and-presents-over-3000-between-chosen-charities-at-civic-reception/15 May 2026 18:25 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvxefut6s2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mhuu434izk2iCan't wait for #AATP26, the last two have been fantastic. Thinking about which idea I might put forward for a talk this year: - Thatcham: Fact, Folklore, and Curiosities - Telling the Story: Sharing History with the Public - How One Place Took Over My Research Life - A Place Through Maps [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Mar 2026 10:13 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhuu434izk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mhpizfa5o22xThe evolving name of #Thatcham, sounds simple but far from and not at all like what has been publicised in many local history books or stories. My research so far on my blog https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/05/a-history-of-the-name-thatcham/ - still a work in progress.23 Mar 2026 07:11 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhpizfa5o22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mhhxeas7dk2wThe excellent @sogorg.bsky.social All About That Place event is back - details at https://sog.org.uk/all-about-that-place-call-for-speakers/. Take a look the past talks - https://www.youtube.com/@SocietyofGenealogists/playlists . 1/320 Mar 2026 07:06 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhhxeas7dk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mhdwus3skk2aHave been doing a bit more work on refreshing my website, got a few news posts to go, just need to finish the podcast section off - things are progressing. In mean time continuing research on Dunston House, #Thatcham - see https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10/the-dunston-estate/ 1/218 Mar 2026 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdwus3skk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mh6wgs6r6c2lBeen using Obsidian, @obsidian.md, for two years now (I think), taking over from OneNote and Evernote prior to that. And I love it, have moved personal notes, journal, etc. over but biggest transformation is to my #history notes. 1/216 Mar 2026 16:56 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh6wgs6r6c2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mgk4wnsqlc2oJust read a 1910 newspaper article noting the the Thatcham Fruit and Flower Farm / School, (i.e. French Gardens) was established in 1909. It was not, I have Lilly Hugh-Jones and Miss Mary Peers in August 1906 with the school and I am not done researching yet. Much more to the women and school...08 Mar 2026 10:26 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgk4wnsqlc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mghkquebss24Working on the refreshed nickbits.co.uk site over next few weeks with section for my podcast (coming soonish). Not only be adding history articles, got hiking bits to add & maybe some electronics/computing tutorials too - may even make them into course, youtube, but thats further down the road! https://nickbits.co.uk07 Mar 2026 09:56 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mghkquebss24https://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mg63vpt7qc2sI have been a shoe size 12 (UK) for 20+ years. Purchased Hi-Tec and Merrell last year size 12. Now suddenly this year Merrell and Decathlon size 12 are too big and measured they are about 1cm difference to my old pairs. What is going on!?03 Mar 2026 15:36 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg63vpt7qc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mg2ys6jexc2sFirst fundraiser of the year complete, 100 mile Walk for Hearts for @thebhf.bsky.social. My next event tonight, 2nd March 2023, https://thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/event/thatcham-in-old-photographs/, raising funds for Thatcham Town Mayors charities - Swings & Smiles, Home-Start West Berkshire, Bridge for Young People02 Mar 2026 10:02 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg2ys6jexc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mfwvwaanps2tAnd that is the 100 miles completed, 101.5 miles actually for @thebhf.bsky.social Walk for Hearts challenge. A huge thank you to everyone that has donated. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamDeeds-2026-WalkForHearts28 Feb 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfwvwaanps2thttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mfetiijeqc2vToday for @thebhf.bsky.social Walk for Hearts I have already walked part of the modern #Thatcham parish boundary, walked part of the turnpike road (A4) spotting milestones on the way, and more. You can still help me raise funds for vital life saving research https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamDeeds-2026-WalkForHearts21 Feb 2026 14:29 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfetiijeqc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3meypxz6kic2tDay 16 of @thebhf.bsky.social Walk for Hearts:- Down to 44 miles left to go. Been to Greenham & Crookham Commons, blue plaques around #Thatcham, local historical landmarks including The Chapel of the Borough (The Old Bluecoat School https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2019/03/what-oldest-building-thatcham/ ). https://justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamDeeds-2026-WalkForHearts16 Feb 2026 18:54 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3meypxz6kic2thttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3menxxukkm22vHave just updated my list of #Thatcham (and a few #Newbury) history talks I do - see nickbits.co.uk/about/mytalks/ . The view below is of Broad Street, Thatcham as it was c.1900, and yes at the time it was a village and not a town - https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2024/08/thatcham-a-village-or-town/12 Feb 2026 12:18 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3menxxukkm22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mejf4x6wrc2gContinuing the @thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts today between jobs, walk crossing from Hampshire to West Berkshire, Headley to Crookham to Greenham. Finding history and defibrillators along the way. Got about 66 miles left to complete.10 Feb 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mejf4x6wrc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mediv6vmok2vThe latest Blue Plaque for #Thatcham at the old deopt site. Will do a blog post soon with more information.08 Feb 2026 08:21 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mediv6vmok2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/drnickyoung.bsky.social/post/3mdxhegwkwk2jI like my walking, I like my history, so love combining the two. Just a few of the walks from various places visited, Theale, Wallingford, Barnstaple, Bath, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, various BBOWT wildlife walks - what better way to get active, relax and learn!03 Feb 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:nxt7d33b2bfhcmd5vq5rx7wa/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdxhegwkwk2j