Dr Nick
@drnickyoung.bsky.social
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/.
Noting that the Lordship title of Crookham & Henwick has been sold (really???), thegazette.co.uk/notice/4944947. Issue(s):
- historically Henwick was not confirmed as a separate manor until the Raymonds (1700s) & they are not named on the document - manorialcounselltd.co.uk/wp-content/u... (1/2)
- historically Henwick was not confirmed as a separate manor until the Raymonds (1700s) & they are not named on the document - manorialcounselltd.co.uk/wp-content/u... (1/2)
Other Notices
thegazette.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Noting that the Lordship title of Crookham & Henwick has been sold (really???), thegazette.co.uk/notice/4944947. Issue(s):
- historically Henwick was not confirmed as a separate manor until the Raymonds (1700s) & they are not named on the document - manorialcounselltd.co.uk/wp-content/u... (1/2)
- historically Henwick was not confirmed as a separate manor until the Raymonds (1700s) & they are not named on the document - manorialcounselltd.co.uk/wp-content/u... (1/2)
Hard to think on 22 years ago today (10 Dec 2003) I graduated, for a second time, from @uniofbath.bsky.social , this time with a PhD, something I never thought achievable! Ceremony was I believe in the Assembly Rooms, had my supervisor there too - the first of his candidates to get a PhD.
December 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Hard to think on 22 years ago today (10 Dec 2003) I graduated, for a second time, from @uniofbath.bsky.social , this time with a PhD, something I never thought achievable! Ceremony was I believe in the Assembly Rooms, had my supervisor there too - the first of his candidates to get a PhD.
I will be talking to Bucklebury History Group (see www.hugofox.com/community/bu... ) in February about some of the historic houses in #Thatcham including the Poplars ( see nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03... ) and Dunston House (see nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10...).
December 3, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I will be talking to Bucklebury History Group (see www.hugofox.com/community/bu... ) in February about some of the historic houses in #Thatcham including the Poplars ( see nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03... ) and Dunston House (see nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10...).
Many still think #Thatcham is a village and I actually still say I am going to "The Village" (meaning the town centre / shops) but we have been a town since 1974. See my blog for more details - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2024/08...
November 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Many still think #Thatcham is a village and I actually still say I am going to "The Village" (meaning the town centre / shops) but we have been a town since 1974. See my blog for more details - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2024/08...
Reposted by Dr Nick
We have some fantastic Blue Plaques around #Thatcham, take a look at www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... and have your say on the next plaque(s) via Thatcham Town Council ( docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... )
Heritage - YouTube
Something special is coming for Heritage Open Days… Behind every blue plaque is a story - of people, places, and events that shaped Thatcham. Starting this F...
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:42 AM
We have some fantastic Blue Plaques around #Thatcham, take a look at www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... and have your say on the next plaque(s) via Thatcham Town Council ( docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... )
First ever glasses, good optician at @specsaversuk.bsky.social . Got one pair glasses from them (wasn't told about the 2 for 1 offer or extra coatings), had to go back for extra coating but still only one pair! Two pairs from Glasses Direct (KODAK Clean&CleAR). 1/3
October 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
First ever glasses, good optician at @specsaversuk.bsky.social . Got one pair glasses from them (wasn't told about the 2 for 1 offer or extra coatings), had to go back for extra coating but still only one pair! Two pairs from Glasses Direct (KODAK Clean&CleAR). 1/3
We have some fantastic Blue Plaques around #Thatcham, take a look at www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... and have your say on the next plaque(s) via Thatcham Town Council ( docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... )
Heritage - YouTube
Something special is coming for Heritage Open Days… Behind every blue plaque is a story - of people, places, and events that shaped Thatcham. Starting this F...
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:42 AM
We have some fantastic Blue Plaques around #Thatcham, take a look at www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... and have your say on the next plaque(s) via Thatcham Town Council ( docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... )
Thatcham has a lot of history and this week
Thatcham Town Council
are sharing short histories of the current blue plaque scheme. Jump over to their YouTube channel to watch - youtube.com/watch?v=NW1S... - you will also see three of our own members taking parts, see if you can spot them!
Thatcham Town Council
are sharing short histories of the current blue plaque scheme. Jump over to their YouTube channel to watch - youtube.com/watch?v=NW1S... - you will also see three of our own members taking parts, see if you can spot them!
Heritage Open Days 2025: Thatcham's First Women Councillors Elected by Public Vote
YouTube video by Thatcham Town Council
youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Thatcham has a lot of history and this week
Thatcham Town Council
are sharing short histories of the current blue plaque scheme. Jump over to their YouTube channel to watch - youtube.com/watch?v=NW1S... - you will also see three of our own members taking parts, see if you can spot them!
Thatcham Town Council
are sharing short histories of the current blue plaque scheme. Jump over to their YouTube channel to watch - youtube.com/watch?v=NW1S... - you will also see three of our own members taking parts, see if you can spot them!
I wrote a post ( nickbits.co.uk/blog/2018/03... ) on my @nickbits blog back in 2018 - "Is #Thatcham Britain’s oldest inhabited settlement?" where I noted about the Saxon origins. 1/3
Is Thatcham Britain’s oldest inhabited settlement?
I wrote an article for a local magazine and town guide a few years back on the general history of Thatcham. Here is the updated version. Not everyone who lives or works in Thatcham knows that this…
nickbits.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 7:04 AM
I wrote a post ( nickbits.co.uk/blog/2018/03... ) on my @nickbits blog back in 2018 - "Is #Thatcham Britain’s oldest inhabited settlement?" where I noted about the Saxon origins. 1/3
This years Thatcham Festival I have the following events:
Beating of the Bounds Talk (10th October)
Soldiers of Thatcham (12th October)
Thatcham Around and About (15th October)
1/2
Beating of the Bounds Talk (10th October)
Soldiers of Thatcham (12th October)
Thatcham Around and About (15th October)
1/2
September 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This years Thatcham Festival I have the following events:
Beating of the Bounds Talk (10th October)
Soldiers of Thatcham (12th October)
Thatcham Around and About (15th October)
1/2
Beating of the Bounds Talk (10th October)
Soldiers of Thatcham (12th October)
Thatcham Around and About (15th October)
1/2
Invested a few months ago in new medical alerts. Prefer the white on black, the silver one looks nice but can be difficult to see. Both on Casio W-96H watches - neither perfect fit but do work. For those interested, links for both www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1... and www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1...
August 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Invested a few months ago in new medical alerts. Prefer the white on black, the silver one looks nice but can be difficult to see. Both on Casio W-96H watches - neither perfect fit but do work. For those interested, links for both www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1... and www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1...
Sadly time to replace the Neewer NW-3000, have loved them. Looking for another more studio headphones (not too expensive). Go with Audio-Technica, OneOdio, or other? Any recommendations?
July 9, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Sadly time to replace the Neewer NW-3000, have loved them. Looking for another more studio headphones (not too expensive). Go with Audio-Technica, OneOdio, or other? Any recommendations?
So #Newbury Museum most will tell you opened in 1904. It has been through numerous changes, today is West Berkshire Museum. However it has its origins much earlier as part of the Literary and Scientific Institution which is first (the museum) mentioned (I can find) in 1853.
June 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
So #Newbury Museum most will tell you opened in 1904. It has been through numerous changes, today is West Berkshire Museum. However it has its origins much earlier as part of the Literary and Scientific Institution which is first (the museum) mentioned (I can find) in 1853.
Looking at the Belfast Telegraph 15 June 1872 via @BNArchive and it rightly has Mark Tuck (nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/03...) of #Newbury placed in the stocks. It says stocks not used for 26 years. Article even then was wrong. Got several uses in the late 1840s and 1850s.
Berkshire Blake and the Stocks
That old offender, Thomas Blake who was known as Berkshire Blake sat for 6 hours in the stocks at Thatcham in 1852.
nickbits.co.uk
June 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Looking at the Belfast Telegraph 15 June 1872 via @BNArchive and it rightly has Mark Tuck (nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/03...) of #Newbury placed in the stocks. It says stocks not used for 26 years. Article even then was wrong. Got several uses in the late 1840s and 1850s.
Was asked yesterday about Heartstart #Thatcham - see bit.ly/442Glpc and find out why I started it www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVmD... - I do still help with defibrillators/AEDs and teach CPR when I can in the local community.
heartstart thatcham - Google Search
www.google.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Was asked yesterday about Heartstart #Thatcham - see bit.ly/442Glpc and find out why I started it www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVmD... - I do still help with defibrillators/AEDs and teach CPR when I can in the local community.
Despite many such as Beresford’s Lost Villages noting Henwick as a Deserted Medieval Village, I still disagree. When owned by Reading Abbey we had two manors, to reduce confusion one was called "the manor of Thatcham, otherwise Henwick" 1/2
June 15, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Despite many such as Beresford’s Lost Villages noting Henwick as a Deserted Medieval Village, I still disagree. When owned by Reading Abbey we had two manors, to reduce confusion one was called "the manor of Thatcham, otherwise Henwick" 1/2
I still find many in the area teaching that #Thatcham is a village despite having a Town Council, a Town Football Club and so on - Thatcham has been a town since 1974 - learn more at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2024/08...
Thatcham, a village or town?
Straight to the point, Thatcham is today a town. But why the confusion when we have Thatcham Town Council, Thatcham Town Football Club, and so on? At the time of Domesday, 1086…
nickbits.co.uk
June 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
I still find many in the area teaching that #Thatcham is a village despite having a Town Council, a Town Football Club and so on - Thatcham has been a town since 1974 - learn more at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2024/08...
Will be working on my website refresh, nickbits.co.uk, over next few weeks and finally, hopefully, get my podcast up and running.
Nickbits- Website of Dr Nick
A website dedicated to local history (Thatcham history and Newbury history) along with Nick’s electronic and computer tinkerings.
nickbits.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Will be working on my website refresh, nickbits.co.uk, over next few weeks and finally, hopefully, get my podcast up and running.
Love the cycle lanes around the area, make it much safer. Hate people walking on the one in Lower Way, #Thatcham. But what worries me, and I have seen this lots of times, and just watched another cycling the wrong way in the cycle lane on the A4 near Northfield Road in #Thatcham.
1/2
1/2
June 12, 2025 at 3:41 PM
A few years old now but nice to see my PhD research, Psychovisually tuned attribute operators for pre-processing digital video, that I did at @uniofbath.bsky.social being used by others - see www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Image-...
www.semanticscholar.org
June 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A few years old now but nice to see my PhD research, Psychovisually tuned attribute operators for pre-processing digital video, that I did at @uniofbath.bsky.social being used by others - see www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Image-...
The Poplars, now known as Bradley Moore House and is home to the Cedars Dental Care, is a building that dates back to the 1700s and has played a crucial role in Thatcham’s history. Below is a short history of the building. Read more at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03...
June 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The Poplars, now known as Bradley Moore House and is home to the Cedars Dental Care, is a building that dates back to the 1700s and has played a crucial role in Thatcham’s history. Below is a short history of the building. Read more at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03...
Just rewatching some of the 2023 & 2024 #AllAboutThatPlace / #AATP and wondering of there will be a 2025 event? @oneplacestudies.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Just rewatching some of the 2023 & 2024 #AllAboutThatPlace / #AATP and wondering of there will be a 2025 event? @oneplacestudies.bsky.social
My first ESP32-S3 device. Camera, SD, card, etc all work. WiFi can see networks. But whatever i do I cannot get WiFi to connect to any network. All my other ESP32 devices work fine. Tried example Arduino IDE code as well as ESP-IDF and no go. Any suggestions?
June 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
My first ESP32-S3 device. Camera, SD, card, etc all work. WiFi can see networks. But whatever i do I cannot get WiFi to connect to any network. All my other ESP32 devices work fine. Tried example Arduino IDE code as well as ESP-IDF and no go. Any suggestions?
Thomas "Berkshire" Blake was the last person to be placed in the stocks in #Thatcham, 1852. Mark Tuck was placed in the stocks in #Newbury in 1872 and was the last in the country - read the post - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/03...
Berkshire Blake and the Stocks
That old offender, Thomas Blake who was known as Berkshire Blake sat for 6 hours in the stocks at Thatcham in 1852.
nickbits.co.uk
May 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Thomas "Berkshire" Blake was the last person to be placed in the stocks in #Thatcham, 1852. Mark Tuck was placed in the stocks in #Newbury in 1872 and was the last in the country - read the post - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/03...