A stunning new bronze statue of a trailblazing 17th century author has been unveiled ahead of its official installation in Canterbury. Fresh from the foundry is the figure of Aphra Behn, who was born in Sturry in 1640 and is credited with being Britain’s first-ever professional female writer. The work – standing at 5ft 10in and weighing 350kg – was commissioned by the Canterbury Commemoration Society which says her extraordinary contribution has been “shamefully neglected”. But now the pioneering writer will take pride of place outside the city’s Beaney Museum. “It will really be the exciting …