Members of the project group delivered speeches outlining the background to having the statue in Hinckley and the importance of this, before Dr Luke Evans MP for Hinckley and Bosworth concluded proceedings. The Mayor and Mayoress of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Richard and Mrs Jill Fleming represented the Borough Council who installed two heritage information boards close to the statue outlining Ada’s life and achievements. The event was also attended by the leader of the Council, Cllr Stuart Bray and the Heritage Champion, Cllr Paul Williams.
Stan Rooney project leader for the Ada Lovelace Community Interest Company said: “We are immensely proud to have achieved our goal of raising a statue to Ada. We have received high praise from a number of people including Ada’s biographer Miranda Seymour who called the statue a ‘triumph for Hinckley and the county’.”
Students representing Hastings School, Hinckley School and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College took part in the unveiling, assisting the Lord Lieutenant to pull the cover from the statue and NWSLC student Noah Tallis played the piano.
Marion Plant OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said: “Ada Lovelace’s pioneering work laid foundations for modern computing, and her legacy continues to inspire learning, innovation and curiosity. Having her statue located next to an education setting is especially meaningful, as it reinforces the vital link between education, creativity and technological progress.
“This statue will stand as a visible reminder to our students, staff and the wider community that ambition, curiosity and talent can change the world. We hope it will particularly encourage young people, especially girls and young women, to consider opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, areas that are central to both Ada Lovelace’s legacy and the College’s curriculum.”
Isla Dalgetty, NWSLC Journalism student said: “As a young girl I think that it is crucial that we have an inspirational landmark for women, especially a woman in STEM as it's a predominantly male dominated space. It helps girls to remember that their dreams are also possible and can have an impact on the world. In school you see a lot more boys going into STEM subjects then girls do - hopefully with this landmark girls will realise they're just as good at STEM subjects."
Mary Milner on behalf of her husband Etienne Milner, the internationally renowned and acclaimed sculptor of the statue, passed on her congratulations, “The ADA Lovelace statue looks as if she was always meant to be there outside the college, inspiring students and many others with her brave imagination and brilliant mind.”
Etienne Millner is a figurative sculptor working in clay for bronze, based in London and Devon. Best known as a portraitist working on a wide range of projects from monumental public statues to life-size heads and figure groups. His subjects have ranged from the royal family, writers, musicians and public and private portraits.
