A new statue of Ada Lovelace, thought to be the world's first computer programmer, was unveiled in Hinckley town centre on Saturday (31 Jan 2026).
The bronze statue honouring the 19th-century mathematics visionary was officially revealed in a ceremony attended by residents and local dignitaries. More than a hundred people gathered outside the North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College on Lower Bond Street to witness the moment the statue was revealed to the public. Ada Lovelace spent part of her youth in nearby Kirkby Mallory, and her legacy continues to resonate in modern computing. The statue was moved in position early in January, by a crane, but the officially unveiling ceremony took place at the end of the month in front of MP Dr Luke Evans, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicesteshire and local historian Greg Drodz who all made speeches at the ceremony. Supporters hope it will be more than a landmark: they want it to serve as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the vital contributions of women in STEM fields. Planning permission was granted in 2025 for the structure which measures 2.5 metres high and is mounted on a plinth of Portland stone outside the college building. The statue is proposed by the Ada in Hinckley Community Interest Company (CIC) as a striking and distinctive physical form of commemoration and recognition of Ada’s legacy. The costs of production and installation were met by the CIC, with permission granted by the College for installation on their land.
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