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/.
Continuing 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.
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Continuing 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.
Following on with the plaque theme, one of the walks today went via the Urquhart plaque.
February 9, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Following on with the plaque theme, one of the walks today went via the Urquhart plaque.
I 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!
BBOWT wildlife walks - what better way to get active, relax and learn!
February 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I 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!
BBOWT wildlife walks - what better way to get active, relax and learn!
A brief history of "Thatcham Twinned with Nideggen" now on my blog - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2026/01...
January 28, 2026 at 9:02 AM
A brief history of "Thatcham Twinned with Nideggen" now on my blog - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2026/01...
Backpack from Blacks, first aid kit restocked, waterproofs ready, @thebhf.bsky.social tshirt, thats me ready to start #WalkForHearts. Grateful all donations via @justgiving.bsky.social - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/... . The AED/defibrillator will be coming on some of walks to raise awareness.
January 28, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Backpack from Blacks, first aid kit restocked, waterproofs ready, @thebhf.bsky.social tshirt, thats me ready to start #WalkForHearts. Grateful all donations via @justgiving.bsky.social - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/... . The AED/defibrillator will be coming on some of walks to raise awareness.
Following on from my Walk For Hearts for the BHF ( www.justgiving.com/fundraising/... ) I will be giving a #Thatcham history talk for the Mayor of Thatcham in aid of Home-Start West Berkshire, Swings & Smiles and Bridge for Young People - details at thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/event/thatch...
January 22, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Following on from my Walk For Hearts for the BHF ( www.justgiving.com/fundraising/... ) I will be giving a #Thatcham history talk for the Mayor of Thatcham in aid of Home-Start West Berkshire, Swings & Smiles and Bridge for Young People - details at thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/event/thatch...
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - I’m now half way to reaching my initial fundraising goal of £300 for
@thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts! ✨ justgiving.com/fundraising/...
@thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts! ✨ justgiving.com/fundraising/...
January 21, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - I’m now half way to reaching my initial fundraising goal of £300 for
@thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts! ✨ justgiving.com/fundraising/...
@thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts! ✨ justgiving.com/fundraising/...
Below is an image of what was Dunston House, #Thatcham, an 18th century manor house (rather stately home). You can read more about it on my blog at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10... . There is a blue plaque for it so as part of @thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts ( justgiving.com/fundraising/... ) 1/2
January 18, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Below is an image of what was Dunston House, #Thatcham, an 18th century manor house (rather stately home). You can read more about it on my blog at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10... . There is a blue plaque for it so as part of @thebhf.bsky.social #WalkForHearts ( justgiving.com/fundraising/... ) 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...
Will give them a bit longer to try before saying which I prefer (lens wise). Case wise though, both @specsaversuk.bsky.social and Glasses Direct use recycled materials so thumbs up there. I will sling them in my backpack so the Specsavers case comes out on top. 2/3
October 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Will give them a bit longer to try before saying which I prefer (lens wise). Case wise though, both @specsaversuk.bsky.social and Glasses Direct use recycled materials so thumbs up there. I will sling them in my backpack so the Specsavers case comes out on top. 2/3
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?
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...
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?
So made this last a few more years (abt. 10) but really do need to sort a replacement now. Gone to see what Lifesystems have, sadly new versions are all smaller with less compartments than the old mode,l unless I am missing something! Searching for alternatives, suggestions?
April 30, 2025 at 6:29 AM
So made this last a few more years (abt. 10) but really do need to sort a replacement now. Gone to see what Lifesystems have, sadly new versions are all smaller with less compartments than the old mode,l unless I am missing something! Searching for alternatives, suggestions?
Been working to update "Thatcham: The Great War" (see thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/history/ww1-... ) which covered WWI soldiers on Thatcham War Memorial book to include WWII and a history of Thatcham War Memorial.
April 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Been working to update "Thatcham: The Great War" (see thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/history/ww1-... ) which covered WWI soldiers on Thatcham War Memorial book to include WWII and a history of Thatcham War Memorial.
I have an article about Dunston House, #Thatcham on my blog at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10.... I am still attempting to track down the original, and as far as I am aware, only painting of the property. Last known was in hands of a Mrs Wheeler in the late 1800s.
March 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I have an article about Dunston House, #Thatcham on my blog at nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/10.... I am still attempting to track down the original, and as far as I am aware, only painting of the property. Last known was in hands of a Mrs Wheeler in the late 1800s.
Week later than promised but here is the post on The Poplars, #Thatcham - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03... - on my blog.
March 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Week later than promised but here is the post on The Poplars, #Thatcham - nickbits.co.uk/blog/2025/03... - on my blog.
Finally getting back to it. I may have a short post for my nickbits.co.uk blog about Francis Baily and will have a piece about the Poplars building too to coincide with the new blue plaque. The latter will be posted in the next day or two.
February 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Finally getting back to it. I may have a short post for my nickbits.co.uk blog about Francis Baily and will have a piece about the Poplars building too to coincide with the new blue plaque. The latter will be posted in the next day or two.