Launched 09/04/2011
Latest update
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.
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.
The Abbot's Fireside is one of the older buildings in the village and probably dates back to the mid fifteenth century.
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?
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
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
Will of Webb Foreman of Elham, beer brewer, in good health, dated 2nd March 1747/8, proved 18th March 1748/9. Mess. or t. in Elham commonly called or known by the name or sign of the Cock, now occupied by Jane Glasier, my mother-in-law, brewhouse and malthouse also in Elham and in my own occupation, unto and among my three children Edward, George, and Richard Foreman. Jane Glasier, executrix, with advice and assistance of Mr Richard Giles of Pluckley (trustee) to carry on business of brewing and making malt till youngest son 21, when personal estate to be divided. CKS: PRC 16/93 F.42
On Thursday last, Mr. Delasaux held an inquest at Elham on the body of Ann Keeler, who died suddenly. Her mother Hannah Webb, an aged woman, called in to see her the previous day, and while talking to her, she suddenly fell forward into the grate, from which her mother immediately lifted her, and obtained assistance. She was found dead. Verdict—“Natural Death.” Kentish Gazette - Tuesday 27 April 1852
Elham Parish Council We are very pleased to announce that Elham has been awarded the title of Kent Village of the Year, as well as being very successful in the individual categories of the competition. This is a fantastic testament to the hard work put in by so many residents in and around Elham. The competition was organised by Action with Communities in Rural Kent, which is the Rural Community Council for Kent and Medway. Their aim is to excel in the provision of information and support to communities in Kent to enable them to help themselves through action involving all sections of the community. The competition was sponsored by Kent Men of Trees and The Kent County Agricultural Society who amongst many other things organise the Kent County Show. The category awards were not given due to the work of one group or an individual’s actions, but on how the category themes ran through a plethora of initiatives, organisations, clubs, businesses and others in the village (over 50 at the last count - we submitted a synopsis of each to the judging panel) which of course has led us to gain our overall title! Our awards were: Overall Kent Village of the Year - Kent Village of the Year for Environment - Runner-Up Kent Village of the Year for Social Action - Runner-Up Kent Village of the Year for Economy. As well as the prestige associated with the award we have been given £250 to be spent on a village project, two trees, framed certificates and two “Kent Village of the Year” signs, which we host for a year, kindly installed by the British Legion. Someone said to the Parish Council on hearing of the award; “a lot of people work hard in all kinds of ways – often anonymously giving us a sense of wholeness”. In preparing our bid for the award, it became immediately apparent that we will live in a village that not only excels at the big headline grabbing work but also excels in the small important things that may seem inconsequential to some but vital to others. We should take pride in what has been accomplished but also look at it as an ongoing reminder of how when our village, Elham, unites, great things can happen. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work on a day-to-day basis that makes this award so deserved. Kate Baker