A year of events is being planned to celebrate the "trailblazing legacy" of Anna Maria Fox, founder of the Royal Polytechnic Society, who was born 200 years ago this year.

A staunch advocate of Cornish innovation and culture, Anna Maria was just 17 when she co-founded what is now known as the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. In celebration of her remarkable life and legacy, Cornish production hub, Scary Little Girls, will be hosting a number of events, exhibitions, and performances to be held in and around Falmouth, throughout 2016.

The project will begin on the evening of February 20 with a birthday celebration. Members of the public are invited to join a "rich cultural assembly" which will include local choirs performing Quaker hymns and popular Cornish classics in which the audience will be invited to participate; professional actors giving readings from the colourful Fox family diaries; leaders from different faiths talking about Falmouth's religious and cultural heritage and members of the Fox family in conversation about Anna Maria and her influence.

Guests will then be invited to stay on for drinks and a share of the specially commissioned giant birthday cake.

The programme of events, funded by the Heritage Lottery, will see Scary Little Girls collaborate with local institutions including Falmouth University, the Royal Polytechnic Society, and the National Trust at Glendurgan Gardens.

Rebecca Mordan, artistic director of Scary Little Girls, said: “The legacy of Anna Maria Fox is all around us in Falmouth, but the woman herself is not as well known. We are working with local organisations to preserve and celebrate her life.

"Anna Maria’s hopes for the development of science, the arts and culture in Cornwall are, today, realised by our local artists, scientists, and her own family. With these anniversary events, we hope not only to do her memory justice, but also explore how science and art are still thriving in Cornwall today.

"The lack of women in science has been a hot topic the past few years. Anna Maria Fox conceived and co-founded in Falmouth the first British institution to use the name 'polytechnic' - the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society – now affectionately called The Poly. Such an inspirational figure for our young scientists and entrepreneurs deserves to be celebrated.”

The birthday celebration starts at 6.45pm in King Charles the Martyr Church, Falmouth. Entry is free so guests are urged to arrive early to avoid disappointment. For information on other Anna Maria Fox events happening in 2016, keep an eye on the SLG website scarylittlegirls.co.uk.