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
Vicar of Elham - obt.1773. He was likewise one of the six preachers of Canterbury cathedral. He went a missionary to Africa - but finding he could be of no service - with all the pains he took - he returned to England and was by the archbishop nominated to this vicarage.
Henry Hammon, of Elham, miller, was summoned for refusing to teach his trade of a miller to Stephen Court, his apprentice. Defendant did not appear, but service of the summons haring been proved the justices proceeded to hear the case in his absence. It appeared that Stephen Court was by indenture, dated 16tb August, 1863, bound by the trustees of Sir John William's Charity to Mr. Hammon for six years, to learn his trade of a miller. A premium of £25 was paid, and Mr. Hammon covenanted to find the apprentice with board and lodging. At Michaelmas last defendant left the business, and the mill was sold, and a Mr. Gilbert took it. Ever since that time, to within a few days Court had been employed by defendant in gardening, and although he had been repeatedly requested to do so, he bad refused to assign the apprentice to any one else, and would not allow Mr. Gilbert to take him, although he expressed his willingness to have him for the remainder of the term without any premium. The justices ordered that the apprentice should he discharged forthwith, and that £3, part of the premium, with 12s. costs, should he handed over to the apprentice's father forthwith, end that in default it should be levied by distress, and in default of sufficient distress defendant should be imprisoned for 21 days. Kentish Gazette - Tuesday 15 December 1863