The Canterbury Society is raising money for new Blue Plaques for the city. Despite having been home to many significant and important people, there are currently very few of the famous blue symbols. The aim is to highlight some outstanding residents of our city, to honour our heritage and make our city a more interesting place for locals and visitors alike.

Famous people being commemorated will include:

Sarah Baker A theatrical entrepreneur and actor who ran a successful theatre in Orange Street in the 18 th Century

The creation of the first Bat & Trap game at The Old Beverlie pub: Bat & Trap was created and first played at The Old Beverlie public house

Ian Dury, the famous singer/songwriter, artist and actor who performed at the Sidney Cooper Centre in the 1970s

Michael Powell, the filmmaker, who directed the wartime film, A Canterbury Tale

Stephen and Catherine Williamson, who donated Tower House and Westgate Parks to the city; Catherine was the first woman mayor of Canterbury and an author

Other plaques will be for Aphra Benn, Elizabeth Elstob, John Green Hall, John Lyly and Audrey Williams and there will also be a new plaque to commemorate the Canterbury to Whitstable railway, the first steam powered passenger train service in the world.

Funds are now being sought through a publicity campaign and a crowd-funding initiative.