The Kidston Institute was founded by Mrs J M B Kidston between1902 – 1904. She also provided £1000 as a source of income for the upkeep of the building. The Kidston Institute is a registered charity (number 213604). The objectives of the charity are to provide a hall for the use of inhabitants of the Parish of Northaw and Cuffley for meetings, lectures and classes and for other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation.
Talking to existing Kidston members revealed the following anecdotal information about the Kidston:
The Kidston has a long history of providing Snooker and Table Tennis facilities. Table Tennis can be traced back to at least 1950.
In the early 1960s, the Table Tennis and Snooker rooms were swapped over to their current locations. The old snooker light remained in place but was far too low for table tennis resulting in points being lost and table tennis balls disappearing on to the top of the light. Fortunately, the light was removed and replaced with ceiling lighting. Around this time a kitchen extension was also added to the back of the building.
Ray Illott, who lived in The Old Bakery next to the Kidston, was the driving force behind the Kidston for many years. in the 1970s Ray and his family organised a weekly Youth Club and Saturday Morning Table Tennis Coaching Sessions. Some Members who are still playing can remember attending both as youngsters.