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Launched 09/04/2011

Latest update

30/10/2023 04:17

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Graveyard Memorial Inscriptions
Welcome to the Elham Historical Society database website. Feel free to browse and uncover the history of Elham. Our dedicated team of historians has recently finished recording the details on all the memorials in the graveyard. Our chairman Derek Boughton has overseen the operation, correlating the data and checking for errors. The results of their labours can be seen on the burials page.

Elham beat off stiff competition for the title of Kent Village of the year 2011 organised by Action with Communities in Rural Kent.

Censuses for outlying communities in the parish will be rolled out gradually. Check out the stats page for interesting facts and

trivia about the village. We still need your help so please send us any information relating to Elham that may be of interest.

Les Ames hits out
Les Ames in action

Elham resident Les Ames in action for England against the West Indies in 1939. He was one of the finer wicketkeeper - batsmen and played for Kent CCC.

Abbot's Fireside c 1450
Abbot's Fireside

The Abbot's Fireside is one of the older buildings in the village and probably dates back to the mid fifteenth century.

Audrey attends school
Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn (neé Rushton) lived in Orchard Cottage (Five Bells) for five years in her childhood (1935-1940) and attended the local village schools. She took ballet lessons and dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. I wonder what became of her?

George V Playing Field
George V Playing Field

Dave Lee opens Elham's brand new playground with a sensory garden and a pretty flower meadow created by the Play for Elham charity. 21st November 2010

Swing Riots of 1830
Swing Riots

The machine breaking that led to the riots of August 1830 onwards started in the Elham Parish, writes our historian Derek Boughton, who has made a lifetime's study of the subject.

Elham residents were prominent in the gangs that sought out the new fangled threshing machines and destroyed them. Some of them cost the not inconsiderable sum for the day of £100. Full Story

Prominent Sportsman Leaves 1947

Mr. L. J. Leckie, B.Sc., Hon. Secretary of Kent Amateur League, well-known referee, a member of the K. C. F. A. Council, and well-known sportsman, who came to Aylesham County Modern School 14 years ago, and was Senior master for 10 years, was appointed Headmaster of Elham School on January 1st this year. He continued to reside in Aylesham until this week, when he went to the Old School House, Elham. Mr. and Mrs. Leckie's many friends wish them every happiness in their new home. Dover Express - Friday 21 November 1947

Cricket Club 2000

Elham Cricket Club play their first game at Holloway. The move was a major feat for the club bringing with it a new pavilion, playing and net facilities. The ground benefits from a naturally raised area providing visitors with an elevated view of the playing area from where you can sit and watch the action from the grassy bank or the comfort of your car, should the weather choose to be a little inclement! Elham Delights Elham Cricket Club

Armed robbery 2003

POLICE are appealing for information after an an armed robbery at Elham Post Office, near Folkestone. A man carrying a handgun went into the post office, in Canterbury Road, at about 4.15pm on Monday and demanded cash from a member of staff. The raider placed the cash in a white plastic bag, ran from the post office and got into the passenger side of a maroon or dark red saloon car which was parked 50 yards from the shop. The car then drove off towards Canterbury. The car is described as similar in size to a Peugeot 206 and was driven by a woman with curly dark collar length hair. The gunman is described as a white man, 5ft 8in - 5ft 11in tall, with dark brown eyes and dark eyebrows that were joined together. He was wearing blue overalls with a blue hood and a white material mask. Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the car, or anyone who recognises the descriptions. They are asked to contact Folkestone Police. Kent Online


What's in the database
11810 People
6780 Demography entries
2416 Events
1294 Marriages
415 Properties
425 Photographs
Completed projects ...
  • Properties 1841-1911
  • Demography records 1841-1911 (village only)
  • Cemetery & Graveyard burials
  • Memorial and graveyard inscriptions
Work in progress ...
  • Demography records 1841-1911 (parish)
  • Marriages within the Elham parish
  • Audio/verbal accounts by Elham residents
Coming soon ...
  • Mapping of all properties within the Elham parish
  • List of artefacts
Future projects ...
  • Audio village tour
  • Complete list of shops - past and present
What's new!
Michael Hayes
Doctor Who Producer
Arthur Frederick Broadbridge
Elham resident and diplomat
Charles Alfred Fortin
Elham assistant surgeon
William Lewis Cowley
Elham resident and author
George W Palmer
Graveyard burials
John Midgeley
Henry Clayson
STATS - Facts & Trivia
Windlass Cottage Title Deeds
Church Cottage history back to 1720
Anthony Eden
Prime Minister and Elham resident

EHS
Swing Riots
Les Ames in action
Audrey Hepburn
Letters

EHS Database

Swing Riots of 1830 recounted by Derek Boughton our local expert historian.

Les Ames for England v West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica 1930 or 1935. WK Ivan Barrow watches on.

Audrey Hepburn attended private schools in the village and dreamed of being a ballerina. I wonder what became of her?

What's in the database? Find the latest additions here.

1761 Thomas Thompson