PORLOCK has celebrated their incredible former resident Ada Lovelace, and all other inspiring women.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the second Tuesday in October around the world. And traditionally, the village of Porlock celebrate their former resident on ‘Ada Lovelace Day’ on the following Saturday by hosting talks from inspirational women from the surrounding area. Abridged, of course, by tea, and cake, and discussion.

Once again, as with previous years, this event was a sell-out and welcomed four incredible women from all walks of life to share their story of who inspires them and why, compѐred by previous inspirational speaker and local fundraiser, Lynn Pearson.

Ada Lovelace was a mathematician and computer scientist born ahead of her time in 1815. Ada’s name is often followed by her connection to Lord Byron, but her success was unrelated to her father. History remembers her as the visionary who saw the potential in the algorithms she and colleague Charles Babbage worked on with their calculating machine.

The stage first welcomed passionate and energetic lecturer in Ethics for Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the University of Bristol, Miranda Mowbray, who reflected on how her trajectory was similar to that of Ada’s, first finding the beauty in Maths and then discovering Computer Science. Miranda’s work has a profound and direct impact on the environmental issues of the day and she is inspired by the collaboration between AI and humans. And by her students, of whom she shared their journeys, all of which are already having an impressive impact on the way we live.

As Lead Engineers go, Dr Anna Scott challenged the status quo by leading the way in the carbon piping industry. Proving you don’t need to compromise your femininity to work in what has been a typically masculine industry. Anna reflected on how her family and her deep interest in the subject of renewable materials has been a balancing act throughout her career. Particularly in the face of gender stereotyping and inequality. By sharing her experience, Anna was able to offer a genuine and inspiring reflection on how creating equal opportunities and nurturing positive attitudes towards women in engineering are sustainable ways to ensure women can feel supported to succeed.

Former resident and resident artist, Belle Cole provided the perfect link between engineering and the beauty of Exmoor by sharing the things in nature that inspire her welded environmentally friendly sculptures. Belle retrained as an engineer and discovered a passion for welding when repairing motorbikes. She’s taken this second life opportunity and holds close to her heart the value of passing down to the next generation skilled hand crafts, and has plans to support a young female apprentice and nurture their passion too.

Valerie Forgeard rounded off the event with some deeply affecting stories of her humanitarian work that married her passion for arts with improving the world in which we live. Founding an organisation that united artists in solidarity across environmental issues, war, and extreme poverty. Also working directly on projects that have challenged social landscapes in the most affected countries on our planet. Valerie’s touching humbleness provoked a heartfelt response from the audience of “how can we help?”

The proceeds this year go towards the Light Up Porlock fund which will help to brighten the high street through these dark economic times, and bring some joy into the fast-approaching season.

A spokesperson said: “At the centre of these events every year is the spirit of togetherness; of heart. It is reflected in the generosity of those who organise it, make cakes, speak and of course, those who turn up to listen. These community events should never be underestimated as keeping the discussion of equal opportunities alive will help to ensure that attitudes continue to evolve.”