Long before attaining status as a Hollywood icon, Audrey Hepburn cultivated her early interest in performance within the tranquil setting of the Kent countryside. Between 1936 and 1939, the future star of My Fair Lady and Breakfast at Tiffany’s resided in the village of Elham, near Canterbury, a period local historians describe as a foundational chapter in her life. Explore more fascinating stories from Kent. A Dutch baroness, arranged for her to return to the Netherlands, then still a neutral country, in December 1939, as war approached her mother.
Today, a blue plaque on a residence near the King’s Arms pub serves as a tribute to her time in the community. At the time, she was known as Audrey Ruston-Hepburn and had arrived in the village following her parents’ separation. Seeking to continue her education in England, she stayed with the Butcher family at Orchard Cottage, a common arrangement for visitors in the region before the war. I think it was far busier than it is today,” she said.
During her residency, she attended the local Rigden School. Brian Badham of the Elham Historical Society notes that a teacher at the school encouraged her to pursue music and dance, which he describes as the true starting point for her eventual career. Dilys Webb, another local historian, reflects that the village provided a vibrant environment for the young girl, noting that it was well-served by shops and coffee houses that supported a healthy social life, including her engagement with ballet.
Historical Impact and Legacy
- Family background: Her mother, a Dutch baroness, relocated her to the Netherlands in December 1939 as tensions escalated before the war.
- Wartime experiences: After the German invasion in May 1940, she spent her teenage years under Nazi occupation, facing severe food shortages and malnutrition.
- Resistance involvement: She contributed to the Dutch resistance by delivering messages and performing secret dance shows to raise funds for anti-Nazi initiatives.
- Moral perspective: Her son, Luca Dotti, has remarked that she maintained a firm belief in the necessity of taking a stand in the struggle between good and evil.
- Community pride: While there is no record of her returning to Elham later in life, residents continue to celebrate her connection to the village.
Webb remarks that while villagers were unaware at the time that they were hosting a future superstar, the community remains profoundly proud of her presence there. Badham echoes this sentiment, highlighting that though her time in Elham was brief, it left a lasting impact on those she encountered. To the village of Elham, she is remembered as a wonderful lady who remains an enduring part of their local history. Residents remain “incredibly proud” that one of the world’s best-known actresses once called their community home, although historians are unaware of her ever returning to Elham.
Important Details
- Very proud village, webb said: “Obviously when she was here the village didn’t know she was going to be a superstar. Now everybody knows of Audrey and we are a very.
