PORLOCK will be celebrating International Ada Lovelace Day with a ‘Cream Tea with Inspirational Women’ on Saturday (October 6).

There will be six inspirational speakers - best-selling local author Clare Donoghue, artistic director of Stacked Wonky Dance Sarah Shorten, local businesswoman Charmain Dascombe, GP and founder and director of EHCAP Ltd Dr Sarah Temple, and company directors of Mini Professors Emily Whyte and Sophie Allnut.

The 19th century mathematician and writer Ada Lovelace is best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, recognising that it had applications beyond pure calculation and seeing the full potential of a “computing machine”.

She is regarded as being the first computer programmer and her achievements are recognised every year with a celebration of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Ada Lovelace has a connection to Porlock, too, having spent much time at Ashley Combe, Porlock Weir.

‘Cream Tea with Inspirational Women’ takes place in Porlock Village Hall, starting at 2.30pm. Tickets are £8, or £1 for students, and can be purchased from Porlock Visitor Centre, or online at www.wegottickets.com and Eventbrite. Ticket numbers are limited – the event has sold out every year since it began in 2013.