A recent purchase, copper plate (image shown has been scanned, converted, etc.) of the Thatched Cottages in #Thatcham. They are recorded as 17th Century but probably older and built in phases. More on my @nickbits blog at https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/03/listed-lasted-lost-part-2/

So next weekend I am running a local #history exhibition at the Old Bluecoat School in #Thatcham and on Monday 8th I will also be giving a history talk to help raise funds to keep maintaining the old building.

The Barn next to 2 Chapel Street in #Thatcham is listed by Historic England (see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1319521?section=official-list-entry). Despite what local councils, estate agents & media says, it was never known as the "English Barn" that term seems to have been introduced in 2013 in this instance.

My next local #history talk is “#Thatcham then and now”. £3 entry on the door. Raising funds for the Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham. Full details at https://www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk/events/2023/thatcham-then-now/

An #oldpostcard from the collection showing #Thatcham c.1930. A lot of #history again in one scene, the Kings Head, Tomlin Fountain, the original A4, and much more. https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/

I mentioned several websites during my #Thatcham #history talk on Monday. The first two were the Historic Environment Record (HER) which can be accessed via https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/ and the second was the Portable Antiquities Scheme, see https://finds.org.uk/. Both a valuable resource, I will post the map websites later.

So far got two physical coffee taverns in 1800s #Thatcham #history but have at least four different names. Now deciphering which names go with what building.

Spending a bit of time today continuing to trace back the health care #history of #Thatcham. Got a Robert Skeen, Surgeon in 1760 and a good record since then along with possible midwives from 1701. Much more to look into. https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2018/06/doctors-orders/

Using #Stablediffusion to continue my journey on creating some #aiart images based on historical scenes. Here trying to recreate, or get close to, scenes/buildings that once existed in #Thatcham. A rural scene looking towards a village and the other a Georgian Manor House.

Mark Tuck was the last person to be placed in the stocks in England, this took place in #Newbury. Just a few miles away in #Thatcham there were a number put in the stocks as late as 1852 including one Berkshire Blake. Find out more about him on the @nickbits blog at https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/03/berkshire-blake-and-the-stocks/

New post on my @nickbits blog, the #history of three buildings in #Thatcham in part 2 of "Listed, Lasted, Lost" https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2023/03/listed-lasted-lost-part-2/

Most know I am working on a few books and new talks. I am collating all my research on #Thatcham parish church to put a talk together, will also look at other religious establishments in the area. I have also been looking at the educational establishments through the ages. I have one new post for the @nickbits site and a project launch (I hope) then will do a post documenting all the research projects I have going on, education, mills, Roman period, Saxon settlement, etc.

I produced most of the graphics / posters for the #Thatcham Historical Society exhibition last June, they are repeating the exhibition this May, a few new posters (I'll be making) and few other changes too. https://www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk/events/

An #oldpostcard today with lots of #history in this one. This is of the Great West Road (the A4) in #Thatcham. The Queen's Head on the left, New Inn (Prancing Horse) on the right & the Old Bluecoat School in the middle. Dates to 1907 or earlier. https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2017/02/thatcham-pub-history/

Finally buttons arrived for the interactive #history quiz project. Hope it will be ready for the
local exhibition in May, if not the
#Thatcham Festival in October. Had to scavenge a
Raspberry Pi from an old project, in stock ones rarer then rocking horse poo!

So far I have not found anywhere else called #Thatcham. If you do know of anywhere please let me know. In mean time here is what I have found so far… https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/2022/05/thatcham-around-the-world/

Will be at the excellent West Berkshire Museum tonight to give a #history talk "#Thatcham in old photographs" ( https://booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events.html?event_id=1376900&companyId=37003 ). Don't worry if you miss it I will be giving the talk again to Thatcham Historical Society ( https://www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk/events/ ) along with other talks later in the year.

Did you know the Old Blue Coat School in #Thatcham was never officially called that, it was Lady Frances Winchcombe Charity School. Building opened as a chapel in 1304, became a school in 1707, today is a community hall. Their current project https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/19813

Got another #history talk coming up this Wed (15th March 2023), "#Thatcham in old photos" https://booking.westberks.gov.uk/heritage_events.html?event_id=1376900&companyId=37003. Organised & held at West Berkshire Museum, next one is same talk but for Thatcham Historical Society ( https://www.thatchamhistoricalsociety.org.uk/events/ )

If you want to learn about the #history of the old #Thatcham taverns and pubs then why not take a look at my @nickbits blog at https://nickbits.co.uk/blog/