Geographical area and time scope of research

Below is the geographical centre area of our original research - but now we incorporate Joydens Wood, Wansunt, Coldbow, Rowhill, Baldwyns Park and the borders of Leyton Cross and Wilmington.

The modern history of the Maypole Housing Estate and it's neighbouring areas really only goes back to the turn of the 19th / 20th centuries.  The Maypole housing estate was built to house the workers of the new asylum - which had been built on the grounds of the old Baldwyns Country Estate.  The asylum was completed in 1898 and eventually housed some 2,500 patients.  That was the catalyst for the expansion of house building.  Prior to that there were only four substantial residences within 400 yards of the housing estate boundaries. They were Baldwyns Manor, Heathwood Lodge, Maypole House / Farm and Broomhills.  Until 1898 the ground on which the Maypole Housing Estate now stands was heath-land, comprising gorse, heather, broom, shrubs and fern.  It also was the site of the ancient animal pound, upon which was built later, the Maypole Primary School - now Academy Court.  The prehistory of the Maypole Housing Estate is covered as it will be of interest to the casual reader and give an insight into the character of the area and why it attracted so much construction.  It may serve to provide some reason as to when and why the area developed in the way that it has.