FIVE inspirational women will help to mark Porlock’s Ada Lovelace Day when they speak at an annual cream tea event being held in the village hall on Saturday, October 10.

Ada Lovelace, the inspirational daughter of the poet Lord Byron, lived for a time in Ashley Combe, just outside Porlock, and was a pioneering 19th century mathematician credited with being the world’s first computer programmer.

As part of the celebration of International Lovelace Day, inspirational women from all walks of life are invited each year to share their inspiring stories and achievements with guests over a cream tea.

Ada’s legacy encourages women to break barriers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and have the confidence to turn their dreams into reality.

This year’s speakers will be:

  • Liz Gilbey, journalist, international theatre writer and critic ,and author of romantic fiction for magazines with specialisms from women’s pages to equestrian sport to crime fiction and the arts
  • Katie Traxton, a former marketing communications executive who now leads a talent agency helping rising and established athletes and entertainers build meaningful brands and partnerships which reflect their values
  • Cheryl Dennis, a broadcast journalist for 20 years and presenter for the BBC, who is now living her childhood dream of presenting the news on the television
  • Danni Sherrin, a project change manager who is now helping teams and organisations navigate change and improvement
  • Dr Jenny Capps, a GP and a member of the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team, fund-raiser, farmer, and mother

The cream tea starts at 2.30 pm with tickets at £9 available online and from Horner Mill’s Rosalinde Haw and Porlock Information Centre.

A spokesperson said early booking was advised because the event had sold out every year since it was first held in 2013.