THE centenary of Porlock Village Hall will be marked next week with a period costume re-enactment of the laying of its foundation stone.

It was laid on June 27, 1925, by Mary, Countess of Lovelace, daughter-in-law of Ada Lovelace, who today is recognised as the world’s first computer programmer and who lived for a time in Porlock Weir.

The hall came about after a committee was appointed by a public meeting to decide in what manner the coronation in 1911 of King George and Queen Mary should be commemorated in Porlock.

It was proposed a village hall should be built to commemorate the historic event, but it took 14 years, which included the First World War, much planning, and fund-raising before the village reached the foundation stone laying.

The stone itself is still in place, but ‘has not weathered well’.

Porlock Town Crier Grant Dennis will start off the centenary celebrations at 2 pm on Friday, June 27, with the unveiling of a new sign, followed by some short speeches and tea and cake.

There will also be an exhibition of decades through the last century, some re-enactments, and other displays to entertain villagers and visitors until 4 pm.

To round off the day, Bristol Ceilidh Quartet will be performing in the evening, at 7.30 pm, with tickets available from the information centre or online.

A short public survey is being run until June 27 with copies available in the village hall and in Porlock Information Centre.

A spokesperson said: “We hope that this will help us form some ideas for the next 100 years.

“We hope to welcome as many friends and supporters to both events, to offer a thank you for all the years that Porlock folk have hired the hall, attending classes, talks, weddings, and funerals, and the occasional christening, and so much more.”