Celebrate International Women's Day a day early at these Northampton town centre events today

Our town centre will be alive with activities today as part of a weekend of celebrations International Women's Day today that shows just some of the success stories by Northampton's women in technology and business.

On Saturday (March 7), as part of Northampton's International Women’s Day 2020 celebrations, you can take part in Trailblazers, an interactive quiz trail around Northampton town centre.

Trailblazers aims to showcase some of the women that have contributed significantly to the technology we all use in our daily lives, and features just some of Northampton's own success stories.

The route will be launched at 11am at the Guildhall, which is the first location. The route is circular, but you can join in at any point.

Using your phone, go to the official Digital Northampton website on the day to take part.

As you approach each location on the route, the website will pop up with a profile of a female pioneer. There is a question relating to each woman and their work to shape the products and technologies we use today.

At each location, you'll meet one of the region's current female pioneers showcasing their innovative work, from painting in VR to user research about accessibility. There will be a chance to get ‘hands-on’ with technology in these areas and ask questions.

Official Launch: 11.00am - 11.30am: Introduction, The Great Hall, Guildhall.

Meet Heather Cowley and Clare Elsby, two of the founder members of Northants Tech Women, in the Great Hall at the Guildhall.

Pop up locations:

- Royal and Derngate: With a live demo from VR Therapies founder Rebecca Gill, and an opportunity to try out swimming with dolphins in VR and other immersive experiences.

- Metrobank, Abington Street: Meet Women in Innovation award winner Dolores Sanders, Chief Innovation Officer at Northampton-based Total Control Pro.

- Cafe Track, Market Square: Find out about digital and tech courses at the University of Northampton, from computing and gaming to digital business, with Dr Dilshad Sarwar, Belinda Green and Jean Edwards.

- Central Library, Abington Street: With an accessibility workshop run by Dr Chloe Sharp and Dr Amie Weedon from user experience agency Snap Out.

- Vintage Guru, St Giles Street: Live digital design and drawing with Kardi Somerfield, Fridge Street entrepreneur and senior lecturer in advertising and digital marketing at the University of Northampton, and Georgina Laing-Sutton, an illustrator working in social media and marketing at the University of Northampton.

- Matchbox Cafe, off Abington Street: Meet digital content creator and blogger Nicole Read (AKA Nicole Navigates), whose travels around the county help to promote independent retailers, restaurants and more in Northamptonshire.