Many local people will have noticed the bright blue plaques which have gone up in Canterbury recently, commemorating notable people who have made our city their home. The official launch of the 15 new Canterbury Blue Plaques took place last weekend, with the publication of a leaflet and an online guide to a new Blue Plaques Trail around the city.
The national Blue Plaques Scheme is run by English Heritage with the aim of encouraging communities to know more about the famous people and events that have shaped their history. However, until now Canterbury could boast few of the famous blue plaques, despite having been home to many interesting and important people.
In 2022 The Canterbury Society decided to invite suggestions from the public for the names of individuals (and events) who have a connection with the city and who deserve to be remembered. Many excellent suggestions for new blue plaques were received and from them 15 were chosen to go up on the relevant homes or locations.
The Canterbury Blue Plaques commemorate a great variety of individuals, from Ian Dury, whose song, ‘Hit me with your rhythm stick’ reached Number One in 1979, to Stephen and Catherine Williamson, who gave the Westgate Gardens and Tower House to the city in 1936. Other individuals commemorated include Sarah Baker, who was a theatre impresario in the late 18th century and Michael Powell, who directed the much-loved film, A Canterbury Tale.
Events are commemorated too, with plaques at Canterbury West station for the first season ticket in the world and at Ye Olde Beverlie where Bat and Trap was invented.
The Launch event at Cathedral Lodge was attended by the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress. Guests were welcomed by Ptolemy Dean, President of the Canterbury Society. They were then invited to follow the Blue Plaques trail around the city, ending with lunch and a game of Bat and Trap in Ye Olde Beverlie. Commenting on the success of the Launch, Hilary Brian, Chair of the Canterbury Society, said, ‘Social media lit up as soon as the plaques were in place – we are delighted that they have been so well received’.
Information about the location of the 15 blue plaques and the route of the Blue Plaques Trail can be found in the leaflet, available from the Visitor Information Centre in the Beaney or online at the Canterbury Society website:
For further information about the Canterbury Blue Plaques project:
Contact Jan Pahl at: J.M.Pahl@kent.ac.uk or phone: 07775 74614
Or John Walker at: jvwalker121@gmail.com
Launch of the new Canterbury Blue Plaques at Cathedral Lodge
Plaque for Ian Dury, singer songwriter on the Sidney Cooper Gallery