THE Dovery Manor Museum Players last week celebrated Porlock’s connection with computer visionary Ada Lovelace with a performance of Chris de Vere Hunt’s latest production ‘Ada, Daddy’s Girl?’

Working in the 1840s, Ada, acknowledged as the world’s first computer programmer, spent each summer at Ashley Combe, her family’s mansion in the woods above Porlock Weir.

In a lively and entertaining script, Chris explored an essential question in Ada’s brief but remarkable life, did her domineering mother succeed in her attempt to protect her daughter from the ‘dangerous’ influence of her notorious father, the wild and libidinous poet Lord Byron?

Through the observations of a succession of characters central to Ada’s life, Chris created a compelling depiction of the competing passions in her life.

Penny Kelham gave a powerful and engaging central performance as Ada, portraying through emotional monologues the temptations and tensions in her life and the frustrations of her final days.

John Hill, as Lord Byron, transfixed the audience, striding onto the stage resplendent in Byron’s Albanian freedom-fighter’s attire, fired up with the passion and bravado that so concerned Ada’s mother Annabella, played wonderfully with controlling sharpness by Jane Hill.

Central to the play were Annabella’s frosty exchanges with Ada in her daughter’s sickroom.

Bettina Walker, as Ada’s sick room nurse, linked every scene with wit and humanity.

Ada’s long-suffering husband, William King, was played extravagantly by Ian Kelham.

Amid much hilarity, he tried to explain his plans for new turrets and crenelations at the Ashley Combe mansion, much to the mystification of his young wife Ada and the local builder, played with rustic directness by Mark Palmer.

Denys Lyons tested the audience’s knowledge of prime numbers and mathematical sequences in a convincing portrayal as Ada’s computing collaborator Charles Babbage, while toward the end, Jeff Cox, as Charles Dickens (surprisingly, one of the last to see Ada Lovelace) neatly condensed the central question - was Ada, despite her mother’s entreaties, in reality Daddy’s Girl?

Chris de Vere Hunt sang beautifully and, together with others in the cast, read well-chosen poems written by three members of the Byron family - Lord Bryon, his wife Annabella, and Ada, the daughter Byron never knew.

This was the latest in a series of Chris’s plays for Dovery Manor Museum, and some in the audience said it was her best yet.

Certainly, thanks to the depth of Chris’s research and her skill in characterisation and stage craft, the audience learned much about the extraordinary life and achievements of Ada Lovelace.

Costumes were kindly loaned by Lucy Allenby and by the Porlock Pantomime and Drama Society.

It was yet another enjoyable evening with the Museum Players.

AT the start of Watchet Market House Museum’s meeting Phil Gannon was co-opted on to the committee and gave an update on the West Somerset Mineral Line Association (WSMLA).

The treasurer reported on the finances and these are sound.

The curator reported that the WSMLA has virtually disbanded since the passing of Ross Edwards and the lack of an effective committee.

Phill Gannon will try to keep the guided walks on a reduced scale.

In the future the association may become known as the Friends of the WSML.

The Exmoor Society will continue to advertise the walks and talks but only between May to October, this means the number of walks maybe reduced to six.

The curator stated the museum will give help where it can and to maintain the legacy with advertising, pamphlets, and possibly a collection.

The curator attended the Museum of Somerset annual meeting and autumn meeting held in Glastonbury, no major changes were reported.

It was reported, however, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get engagement with schools.

The museum accreditation renewal has been confirmed for the next five years and the new certificate is on display by the front door.

Stewards outing - an enjoyable day out to Seaton was had by all, problems with the coach en route meant a replacement was required which was soon dealt with by the operators and a credit of £150 added to the museum’s account.

Storage has been sourced within the Holy Cross Chapel, although not suitable for artefacts and paintings it can be used for consumables, more storage is still desperately needed.

Paper mill - the museum has been approached by Jess Prendergrast with regards to the 10th anniversary of the mill’s closure.

They are planning a series of commemorative events which may include an informal gathering of ex-employees with film clips.

In the New Year, a more formal exhibition in the Lynda Cotton Gallery.

February may see a talk by Paul Upton on the strike of 1915, and Watchet Conservation Society will give a talk on paper making.

External window - it is proposed to change the museum’s south side window exhibit to feature elements of the neighbourhood plan, cliff erosion, green corridor, done with Geckoella and the neighbourhood plan team.

Watchet story DVD - an updated version of the DVD is progressing with a lot of new material being supplied by various people, and a new narrative has been recorded.

Watchet Voices - this is an oral history of Watchet for the archives and a newer version should start being recorded in the New Year, this may become available on the museum’s website or via a service such as YouTube.

The museum will be exhibiting a Christmas tree at this year’s Christmas tree festival being held from November 28 for three days.

Cllr Martin Brake

AS Christmas is coming, a Christmas jumper walk along Minehead beach, and a dog-themed bring and buy to raise money for The Cinnamon Trust is being held on Sunday, December 7.

The Christmas jumper walk will start at 9.30 am from the Jubilee Café, The Esplanade, Minehead.

It will go along the beach and seafront to Minehead Golf Club, and back to the Jubilee Café.

Everybody is welcome to join, with or without a dog, and they can walk as far, or as short a distance as they wish.

Feel free to dress yourself, and/or your dog in a Christmas theme.

Breakfasts will be available at the Jubilee Café on returning from the walk, and the dog-themed bring and buy will be at the Jubilee Café from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

If you are not able to join the walk, why not come along for the breakfast, and the bring and buy which will be available throughout the morning?

The Cinnamon Trust is the only national charity for the elderly and terminally ill and their pets, and information will be available all morning for people to learn more about the Cinnamon Trust and how the charity works.

If you have any dog-related items you wish to donate to raise money for The Cinnamon Trust charity, we would be very grateful.

Please contact Karen, on 07896 259462 to make arrangements.

Karen Minto

ON the evening of Saturday, November 29, the Minehead and District Choral Society will be presenting a programme of Christmas music in Minehead Methodist Church by a variety of composers, including Bob Chilcott and John Rutter.

There will be some unusual music such as the delightful Huron Carol, and some well known carols for the audience to join in with if they wish.

The occasion will be enhanced by the display of Christmas trees being organised by the church itself.

Tickets are £12, available on the door or in advance from the Regal. Doors open at 7 pm and the concert starts at 7.30 pm.

David Beach

ANDRÉ Rieu’s 2025 Christmas concert ‘Merry Christmas’ will be screened at the Minehead Regal on Saturday, December 6, at 7.30 pm.

This holiday season the magic begins on the big screen as the audience experiences joyful carols, beautiful waltzes, and plenty of surprises.

With his fabulous Johann Strauss Orchestra and special guests, including the sensational Emma Kok and more than 400 brass players bringing the majestic sound of Christmas, André’s concert is bursting with warmth, laughter, and holiday cheer.

Christmas is André’s favourite time of year - and he cannot wait to share this spectacular concert with West Somerset residents.

Tickets for ‘Merry Christmas’ are £15.50 (film society member/Regal Theatre Friend £14, student/ES40 £13, under-14 £10) and can be booked in advance online and at the Regal box office.

On Wednesday, December 10, the Royal Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ will be screened by the Regal in a live broadcast from the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, at 7.15 pm.

Peter Wright’s ‘The Nutcracker’ has enchanted audiences since its 1984 premiere by the company.

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies and brought to life by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s exquisite designs, ‘The Nutcracker’ is sure to be a festive firecracker for all ages.

The running time is 210 minutes, including one interval.

Tickets cost £15.50 (film society member/Regal Theatre Friend £14, student/ES40 £13, under-14 £10).