Cream Tea with Inspirational Women

Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) was a mathematician and writer. She 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) on International Ada Lovelace Day.

Ada Lovelace also has a connection to Porlock, having lived at Ashley Combe, Porlock Weir, now sadly gone. Porlock celebrates the day, and the local connection, by inviting women from all walks of life to share their inspiring stories and achievements. This year’s speakers are Serrie Chapman, Principal Safety Engineer at Fusion Processing, Meryl Harrison, former Chief Inspector at the Zimbabwe National Society for the Protection of Animals, Dr Annela Seddon, Associate Professor in Physics at Bristol University and Jacqueline Shave, leader of Britten Sinfonia.

Serrie Chapman is working in cutting edge technology on level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles (no driver required) on safety and has previously worked in systems engineering on the rail electrification project and in semiconductor (chip) testing for automotive.  She came into engineering despite being talked out of it at an early age and has been supporting other women into the industry through networking groups such as Girl geek Dinners and Women’s Tech hub.

During her time as Chief Inspector at the Zimbabwe National Society for the Protection of Animals (ZNSPCA) Meryl Harrison was instrumental in carrying out the rescues of thousands of animals from farms from which owners have been forcibly evicted during the land redistribution programme in Zimbabwe.

Dr Annela Seddon is an Associate Professor of Soft Matter Physics at the University of Bristol, and the Director of the Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials. She has been fascinated by what things are made of since she was a child and now uses powerful x-ray sources both in her lab and across the world to study how the shape and arrangement of materials on the molecular scale influences their function.

Jacqueline Shave received her formal training at the Royal Academy of Music but drew her particular performance inspiration and love of chamber music from her time at the Britten-Pears School in Snape. She is in demand as a guest leader with many of the UKs leading orchestras and ensembles.

“Cream Tea with Inspirational Women” takes place in Porlock Village Hall, starting at 2.30pm. Tickets are £8 and can be purchased from Porlock Spar, Porlock Visitor Centre, online at www.wegottickets.com and via Facebook. There are a limited number of student tickets (£2, on the door only). Ticket numbers are limited so early purchase is recommended – the event has sold out