The Maypole Institute (Hut)
The below is, at worst, 'hearsay' and, at best, 'local knowledge' - two very dangerous sources of information !
When the Cameron family moved into Broomhills c1920s they became an influential force within the Maypole Community. Seen as general 'Benefactors' by some residents on the estate they did much, in their own way, to try to improve the lot of the local residents. Two main visible and tangible gifts were the provision of two buildings - the St Barnabas Church Hall and the Institute 'Hut' - both on land donated for the use by residents.
The Institute 'Hut' is believed to have been purchased from the Woolwich Armaments factory at the Arsenal. These 'Huts' would have been readily available once the First World War was over. The hut has remained in situ ever since erection c1920. A Committee was formed in order to manage it's use and affairs. The land, in itself, was unsuitable in it's original form for the building of houses as it lay on a very steep slope, downhill towards the lands once owned by Maypole House. The hut actually sat on a plateau just big enough for purpose. There was only a narrow margin of land before it fell away in a steep downwards slope. The land has since been filled in and now forms a car park. Over the years the hut has been a focal point for meetings, entertainment, a youth club and an overspill class room for Maypole School during the 1950s and 1960s. It is now used as a Licensed Club.
Below - the official opening of the Club and Institute Hut May 1921 - courtesy of Facebook Group 'Bexley Archives'
Below is a photograph (Courtesy of William Beck) taken in 1922 outside the front door facing 
Below with original cast from 1922 superimposed
A Fire Station was once within the grounds of the Institute - see below OS Map 1938
Below is the Fire Engine and some crew
Below two images (Courtesy of Sheila Lusher nee Houlton) are of a childrens event c1946
Below
cl947 a pantomime (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) at the Institute Hut in Baldwyns Road. It was the highlight of our lives then, and all put together by Joan Houlton. "Actors" right to left.
Nancy Beck, Dorothy Whitehead, Barbara Whitehead, Pat Flett, Sonia Windmill, Audrey Houlton, Joan Houlton, Marion Parker (Stephen NZ sister) Betty Cruickshank, Pat Richardson (me) Barbara Houlton, Janice Scott (dec'd)
FRONT ROW Roberta Cruickshank and Sheila Houlton.
The below (Courtesy of the late Wendy Blackler nee Saunders) is of the Institute Football Club c 1921. Her father is second from left, top row.
Below the Maypole Institute Football Club 1921-1922
Supplied by Alun George and he says about the picture
" "I have recently found a photograph of The Maypole Institute for the season 1921-1922 amongst my late father’s personal effects. This is a different photograph to the one already displayed on your site. My grandfather, Walter Leonard George is the gentleman kneeling front left with the jacket and tie on. I know that at this time he lived at 22 Baldwyns Road, Bexley, Kent and 1922 is the year that my father was born".
Further information is that the man in the hat top left is Mr HOGAN.
